Cleveland Orchestra Kicks Off 2013 Holiday Festival - Natalie Cole & More, Now thru 12/22

The Cleveland Orchestra announces its 2013 Holiday Festival, scheduled for today, December 1-22. This season's Festival begins with two PNC Holiday Musical Rainbows programs, offered for families with children ages three and up - "Music of Chanukah" and "Christmas Brass Quintet," featuring members of the Orchestra and guests. The "Music of Chanukah" program will be presented once at The Temple-Tifereth Israel on December 1, and the "Christmas Brass Quintet" in two performances at Severance Hall onDecember 13 and 14.

Multiple Grammy Award-winner Natalie Cole will appear with The Cleveland Orchestra on December 11. The daughter of the legendary Nat King Cole, Ms. Cole is famed for her interpretation of classic American songs and R&B hits such as "Unforgettable" and "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)." Natalie Cole and The Cleveland Orchestra join in a program that features a selection of favorites and Holiday hits from her award-winning albums. Ms. Cole's career spans more than 30 years, during which she has sold millions of records, won nine Grammy Awards, and has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including Touched by an Angel andGrey's Anatomy. Natalie Cole has just released a new album featuring timeless Latin hits, titled Natalie Cole En Español.

The Cleveland Orchestra and Choruses join forces for nine concerts of traditional Christmas favorites at Severance Hall between December 13 and 22. These seasonal programs will include "The Twelve Days of Christmas," the "Hallelujah" Chorus from Handel's Messiah, and "Sleigh Ride," among other favorites, plus sing-alongs and a very special guest. Families can arrive early for the2:30 p.m. Christmas Concerts on December 14, 15, 21, and 22 to have Lunch with Santa in Severance Restaurant from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Call 216-231-7373, or visit clevelandorchestra.com for reservations.

In addition to the traditional series of Christmas Concerts by The Cleveland Orchestra and Choruses, the Holiday Festival will include a one-night-only showing of the film Home Alone. This holiday favorite will be presented on a large screen above the stage at Severance Hall on December 18. The Cleveland Orchestra performs the musical score to the movie. This performance marks the first time that a symphony orchestra performs the musical score live for a screening of the film.

Severance Restaurant is open for each of the Holiday Festival concerts in Severance Hall, as listed in the calendar that follows this release. Reservations can be made at clevelandorchestra.com or OpenTable.com.

An updated calendar for all December 2013 holiday concerts presented by The Cleveland Orchestra follows. Individual tickets for all holiday events are now on sale. Information on purchasing tickets is provided below.

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS

The Cleveland Orchestra Store offers many special gift items for the holidays, including the latest Cleveland Orchestra CD and DVD recordings along with an extensive discography from years past, music boxes and decorative glassware, music-themed holiday ornaments, stationery, books, and Cleveland Orchestra and Severance Hall logo apparel. Gifts for children of all ages include picture books and CDs that playfully introduce classical music and the orchestra to the next generation of concert-goers. The Store is openTuesday through Friday during regular Store hours, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and before, during, and after concerts. The Store phone number is 216-231-7478. The Store may be visited online at clevelandorchestra.com.

In addition, Cleveland Orchestra Gift Certificates and Blossom Lawn Ticket Books for The Cleveland Orchestra's 2014 Summer Season at Blossom Music Center are available at the Severance Hall Ticket Office by calling 216-231-1111 or 800-686-1141, or at clevelandorchestra.com.

Over 45 years ago Arnold and Barbara Schreibman of Schreibman Jewelers began selling beautifully engraved Silver Bells to benefit The Cleveland Orchestra's Education and Community programs. When Schreibman Jewelers East closed in 2003, Barbara Schreibman and her daughter Beth Schreibman Gehring brought this holiday tradition to the Women's Committee of The Cleveland Orchestra, where it continues successfully to this day, every year raising funds to benefit The Cleveland Orchestra's outreach programs. The Silver Bells are made in America by the esteemed Reed and Barton Silver Company of Taunton, Massachusetts, engraved with "Christmas 2013," and priced at $25 each. They continue to be a favorite holiday tradition and will be available for purchase at the Cleveland Orchestra Store and several gift shops in the greater Cleveland area in November and December. Members of the Women's Committee will also be selling the bells in Severance Hall's Smith Lobby prior to many of the Orchestra's December concerts. Contact the Store at 216-231-7478 for details, or shop online at clevelandorchestra.com.

TICKET AND PARKING INFORMATION

Concerts take place at Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland (except for the "Music of Chanukah" program on December 1).

Tickets to individual Christmas Concerts are now on sale and start at $40. PNC Musical Rainbows, the Orchestra performances with Natalie Cole, and the film Home Alone go on sale September 3. For more information, call Cleveland Orchestra Ticket Services at 216-231-1111 or 800-686-1141 or visit online at clevelandorchestra.com.

Group Sales (groups of 10 or more): Call 216-231-7493 or email groupsales@clevelandorchestra.com.

The Severance Hall Ticket Office is located on street level in the Smith Lobby. The entrance and 15-minute Ticket Service parking are along the west side of the building, on East Boulevard. Severance Hall Ticket Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. From September through May, the Ticket Office is also open on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (closed Sundays and holidays except for those days with performances, when the Ticket Office will be open three hours prior to each performance).

For information about parking for Severance Hall concerts, click here.

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