The Philly POPS Sets Christmas Spectacular Shows at Kimmel Center, 12/4-22
By: Tyler Peterson Nov. 25, 2015
Acclaimed conductor David Charles Abell leads the 65-piece POPS orchestra and three full choirs (for a total of 300 musicians on stage) in the Christmas Spectacular concerts. Joining the POPS on stage will be: guest vocalist (and Broadway veteran) Lisa Vroman, the Emmy-winning Philadelphia Boys Choir and Grammy-nominated African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Gospel Choir, the POPS Festival Chorus, and organist Peter Richard Conte through an all-new program featuring holiday favorites like Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Hallelujah.
"It's a holiday experience you simply can't have anywhere else," says Abell (who lived in Philadelphia for seven years and attended Germantown Friends). "I always make sure that the program has something for everyone: grand symphonic arrangements of Christmas carols, popular holiday songs, and Christmas music done in swing style, Chanukah favorites, rousing Gospel numbers, and the ever-popular audience singalong."
He continued: "The Kimmel Center is a warm, inviting place to hear concerts, but it also has a sense of grandeur. Verizon Hall is dressed up beautifully in holiday finery, and the stage is completely filled with musicians. If you add to that Broadway star Lisa Vroman, Peter Richard Conte on the pipe organ, and a certain guy in a red suit, you've got a true Christmas Spectacular!"
Pre-concert entertainment - including Mr. and Mrs. Claus, carolers, local school ensembles - sets the merry scene in the Kimmel Center lobby before each show.
During the December 16 and 20 concerts, winning choirs from More FM's Christmas Choir Competition perform on-stage. On December 9, Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell will sing during the concert.
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