Katie Parr-
The Ponca City Public Schools Elementary, Middle, and Philharmonic String Orchestras will present their annual Holiday Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 2. The concert is free to the public and will begin at 7 p.m. in the Ponca City Schools Concert Hall.
We are very excited that Santa will be able to make the journey to Ponca City for our Holiday Concert. He will be in the lobby from 6 to 6:45 p.m. to take pictures with any patrons who would like to participate. We hope this adds to your holiday season.
The performance begins with the 6th Grade Orchestra taking the stage to perform David Shaffer’s creative, all-pizzicato piece Pizzicato Parade. The group will then perform an exciting piece, Samba La Bamba, composed by William Owens. The 6th Grade Orchestra will conclude their portion of the concert with a holiday favorite, Up on the Housetop. The 6th Grade Orchestra is under the direction of Katie Hauge and Dylan Labon.
Next on the program will be the first selection from the High School Philharmonic Orchestra. Under the direction of Katie Hauge, the orchestra will present Ablaze, arranged by Chris M. Bernotas.
The program continues with the 7th Grade Orchestra under the direction of Dylan Labon. The 7th Grade Orchestra will open with Bob Phillips’ Sword Dance, an exciting work featuring double stops. Next, the orchestra will perform a classic, March Jubilee, by Kathy Cook. They will conclude their portion of the concert with Michael Story’s Christmas Bits and Pieces, a work full of popular Christmas music.
Next, the Philharmonic Orchestra returns to the stage to explore the wide-open spaces in Doug Spata’s Pioneer Sky, under the direction of Katie Hauge. This piece features violinists Molly Singleton and Lorelei Young, violist Akira Clark, and cellist Leland Wells.
Following the Philharmonic Orchestra will be the 8th Grade Orchestra under the direction of Katie Hauge. Their first piece is a lively tune, Assemble the Minions, composed by Jeffrey S. Bishop. Their second piece allows each section to shine in Kevin Mixon’s An African American Air. The 8th Grade Orchestra will conclude their portion of the concert with Russian Sailor’s Dance, arranged by Elliot Del Borgo.
The program continues with the Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance of Bruce Chase’s arrangement of the holiday favorite Jingle Bell Rock, under the direction of Katie Hauge.
Following the High School Philharmonic Orchestra is the 5th Grade Orchestra, performing Hot Cross Buns and Rolling Along. Select members of the Philharmonic and Symphony Strings Orchestras will accompany the 5th Grade Orchestra, under the direction of Dylan Labon and Katie Rolf.
To conclude the concert, all of the orchestras will combine on stage to perform the traditional holiday tune Jingle Bells. We are excited to have selected members of the Symphony Strings Orchestra accompanying our ensembles this evening.
A special thank-you to Paula Cochran, District Instrumental Music Coordinator, for accompanying the orchestras on piano, and to Sophia Vaden, sophomore band member, for playing the drums.
There is no admission charge, and the public is cordially invited to attend this Holiday Concert. Join us as we showcase the musical talents of students from across the district.
