Holiday music dominates philharmonic concert

Friday, Dec. 14, 2001 | 9:17 a.m.

Similar to having many different gifts beneath the Christmas tree, the Las Vegas Philharmonic will perform a variety of seasonal tunes at its annual "Yuletide Celebration" performances this weekend.

"The something-for-everybody approach is so appropriate for the holiday," said Hal Weller, the philharmonic's founder and musical director.

The third annual Christmas performance by the 75-piece orchestra will take place at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Saturday and Sunday.

"This is an opportunity to make the music accessible to everyone," he said.

The philharmonic will be joined onstage at Artemus Ham Hall by the 105-member Green Valley High School Concert Choir, directed by Kim Barclay Drusedum, and the 10-piece Brass Ensemble of the Las Vegas Academy of Arts, directed by Ed Jackson.

The program will include such standards as "O' Tannebaum," "Do You Hear What I Hear" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."

"The concert will be an enjoyable, innovative program filled with recognizable favorites that covers the spectrum of holiday music," Weller said. "(The music) will range from traditional carols, like 'Sleigh Ride' and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas,' to classical favorites, including Handel's 'Messiah.' "

There also will be selections from "The Nutcracker," as well as newer pieces.

"We will have the premier performance of 'Fantasia on Greensleeves,' which was composed by a former student of mine," Weller said. (The student is Woody Norvell of Phoenix.)

Before the program begins, carolers from Green Valley High School will perform Christmas music in the concert hall's lobby.

"We will end the 'Yuletide Celebration' with 'Let There be Peace on Earth,' which is very appropriate this year," Weller said.

Since it was formed three years ago, the philharmonic has worked to bring musical traditions to Las Vegas.

"Music, whether it's a simple carol or a symphonic masterpiece, is probably the most universally enjoyed tradition of the holiday season," Weller said.

"The performance is an opportunity for the entire family to enjoy a break from the holiday stress and to have the true holiday spirit renewed by the most beautiful music anywhere."

Weller will share conducting duties for the evening with Richard McGee, associate conductor of the philharmonic.

This weekend will kick off a marathon of 18 appearances by the orchestra during the next month.

Dec. 20-23, the philharmonic will accompany the Nevada Ballet Theatre for six performances of "The Nutcracker" at the Rio's Samba Theater.

On Dec. 29 the orchestra will perform with tenor Andrea Bocelli at Mandalay Bay, and on Dec. 30 it will join Bocelli onstage at the America West Arena in Phoenix.

On Jan. 1 the philharmonic and Bocelli will appear at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

In early January the orchestra is scheduled to appear in six Sprint Youth Concerts, capped off Jan. 13 with a family concert at Ham Concert Hall.

Weller noted that during the performances over the 30-day period, the orchestra will have played before almost 70,000 people.

"This tour validates the Las Vegas Philharmonic's artistic progress since it was founded in 1998," Weller said.