The Firelands Symphony chorale returns for their “Songs of Thanksgiving Concert on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. (Photo by Doug Klein/Firelands Photography)

The Firelands Symphony Chorale, under the direction of Michael Shirtz, will also be featured in the “Somewhere in my Memory” holiday pops concert on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m.
PHOTO: (Photo by Doug Klein/Firelands Photography)

Celebrate the holiday season with the Firelands Symphony Orchestra (FSO) and Firelands Symphony Chorale (FSC). The annual musical traditions continue this year with two concerts, including The “Songs of Thanksgiving” chorale concert on Sunday, Nov. 20 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Sandusky.

The “Somewhere In My Memory” holiday pops concert on Sunday, Dec. 4 is at the newly renovated Sawmill Creek Convention Center. Tickets for both concerts are available at firelandssymphony.com/tickets or by calling the FSO office at 419-621-4800 (Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

The last time the symphony chorale, under the direction of Michael Shirtz, performed their annual Thanksgiving concert was in November 2019. Due to the pandemic, the last time the chorale performed for the public at all was this past July, when they performed Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. At that time, the chorale had approximately 30 returning vocalists. This year, the chorale has more than double that number of voices joining the Thanksgiving concert.

The program features songs of gratitude and appreciation for all the good things around us. The group performs various vocal masterpieces to raise the spirit during these times of Thanksgiving. Selections include Come Ye Thankful People Come, We Gather Together, The Last Words of David, and many more. In addition, the concert will also feature William Barrett and Pamela Shirtz offering narrations that evoke moments of reflection and wisdom for the Thanksgiving season.

This concert is made possible with sponsorship from: Randolph J. & Estelle M. Dorn Foundation, Wightman-Wieber Charitable Foundation, and Ohio Arts Council. General admission tickets for this concert are available for $15. Tickets for season subscribers are $10 and student tickets for youth and college students are free by calling the FSO office or claiming at the door on the day of the event.

Music director and conductor Carl Topilow performed a solo on his clarinet at last year’s holiday pops concert. (Photo by Doug Klein/Firelands Photography)

The holiday pops concert entitled Somewhere In My Memory at the newly renovated Sawmill Creek Convention Center will feature the full orchestra, along with the FSO chorale and guest vocalist Alexandra Newman.

Carl Topilow, music director and conductor will lead the full orchestra in a concert celebrating the season through the eyes of children with music from popular family films, such as Toy Story, Home Alone, Polar Express, and Frozen. There will also be timeless classics, such as The Christmas Song, Silent Night, and White Christmas.

The concert will also feature the Firelands Symphony Chorale, under the direction of Michael Shirtz. The chorale will lift their voices to perform many of the holiday classics along with the full and robust tones of the orchestra.

In addition to the chorale and orchestra will be guest vocalist Alexandra Newman. A high school student from Hudson, Ohio, Newman is an up-and-coming young singer and performer. She began taking voice lessons at the age of 6, and has since performed in a variety of stage roles throughout Ohio. She was also a finalist in the Shining Star CLE vocal competition last year.

This concert is made possible with sponsorship from: Randolph J. & Estelle M. Dorn Foundation, Erie County Community Foundation, SecureSight, Stefano Dental, Rhonda Watt, and Ohio Arts Council. General admission tickets for this concert are available for $30.

Season subscriptions are also still available for the three remaining orchestra concerts this season. Student tickets for youth are $5, as well as for college students with a valid student I.D. at the time of purchase. For these special ticket offers, please call the FSO office or claim at the door on the day of the event.