Jacksonville, Fla. (November 20, 2024) — The Jacksonville Symphony will present six holiday-themed programs during its 75th anniversary season, starting with Big Band Holiday on November 24. The lineup includes annual favorites such as Holiday Pops, First Coast Nutcracker and Handel’s Messiah and concludes with a new program, Holiday Brass, Organ and Percussion, on December 19. The Jacksonville Youth Symphony Orchestras (JSYO) will perform their holiday concert, with tickets available to the public, on December 9.
The Symphony will also host a meet-and-greet with Santa before the December 7 and December 8 performances of Holiday Pops.
2024/25 Holiday Season Schedule:
· Big Band Holiday: Nov. 24
o A new jazz program featuring members of the Jacksonville Jazz Collective.
· Holiday Pops: Dec. 5–8
o Guest conductor Herb Smith leads this holiday staple with vocalists Carole J. Bufford and Campbell Walker Fields, the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus and dancers from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. A one-hour concert on Dec. 6 at 11 a.m. will not include dancers or the chorus.
· JSYO Holiday Concert: Dec. 9
o Students will perform festive classics the whole family will enjoy, led by Nathaniel Efthimiou.
· The First Coast Nutcracker: Dec. 13–15
o This local tradition features over 130 ballet dancers with music performed live by the Symphony and conducted by Nathaniel Efthimiou.
· Handel’s Messiah: Dec. 14–15
o This holiday classic led by Kevin Fitzgerald features the full power of the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus along with guest vocalists: Estelí Gomez, Jay Carter, Aaron Sheehan and Sidney Outlaw.
· Holiday Brass, Organ and Percussion: Dec. 19
o A new program conducted by guest conductor Matthew Wardell, featuring organist Greg Zelek.
Tickets are available at JaxSymphony.org or by calling the Box Office at 904.354.5547. About the Jacksonville Symphony The Jacksonville Symphony is North Florida’s leading nonprofit performing arts organization offering live performances at Jacoby Symphony Hall in the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts and other venues throughout the area. Led by President and CEO Steven Libman and Music Director Courtney Lewis, the Jacksonville Symphony reaches over 165,500 individuals through over 95 performances each season. In addition, the Symphony provides music instruction for youth and operates the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras. For more information about the Symphony, visit JaxSymphony.org.