The Federal Way Symphony will present its holiday concert “Ring out the Old, Ring in the New” on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 2:30 pm. While the majority of the program will be “unwrapped” (announced) from the stage, Music Director Adam Stern has revealed that the Symphony will be performing selections from The Nutcracker and Johann Strauss’ “Emperor Waltz.”
“Programming a holiday concert is both fun and a challenge,” Stern said. “There are certain expectations to be met, certain musical traditions that simply must be adhered to. At the same time, I want to keep things fresh for the audience and the orchestra and not simply trot out the same pieces they’ve heard or performed dozens of times at other holiday concerts. So, while there will absolutely be some works that are holiday standards, there will also be a few that one doesn’t necessarily encounter on such programs. There will be some surprises, but I promise that there will be no musical equivalents of lumps of coal in a Christmas stocking.”
The program will include traditional holiday carols, symphonic works and some surprises that Stern promises will “knock you out of your seat.” “We’re doing, for example, a spectacular arrangement of ‘Carol of the Bells’ that is the last word in orchestral color,” he said. “And a delicate arrangement of ‘Silent Night’ by Morton Gould that is pure heaven.” To maintain the surprise, Stern has taken the unusual step of holding “closed” rehearsals—even Symphony management and staff are excluded and hinted that a special guest artist may perform. “But more about that on concert day,” he said.
So that Federal Way families can enjoy this festive concert together, the Symphony is offering free child and youth tickets for those under 18 with the purchase of an adult or senior/military ticket. Each paid ticket can reserve up to three child/youth tickets. Tickets are available by phone at (253) 835-7010 or at https://fwpaec.org/fws-holiday-concert. “We know budgets get tight around the holidays,” said Symphony president Jennie Hendrie. “We want to give our families the gift of togetherness for Christmas.”
All Federal Way Symphony concerts are at the Federal Way Performing Arts & Events Center, 31510 Pete von Reichbauer Way South, which offers convenient access to I-5 and ample free parking.