By James Kent
The Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO) will brighten the holiday season with its beloved Holiday Pops concert series on Dec. 8 from 3-5 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre, 30 Center St., in Rutland. This cherished annual tradition will feature the VSO orchestra alongside its 70-voice chorus, delivering a blend of sacred holiday classics, sing-along carols, and festive surprises.
A Festive Program for All
Under the baton of José Daniel Flores-Caraballo, VSO’s chorus director, the concert will include timeless pieces by John Rutter, LeRoy Anderson, George Frideric Handel, and more. Flores-Caraballo describes the program as a blend of nostalgia and celebration. “The first half of the concert has all those magnificent, sacred pieces that we remember from traditional Christmases. But for the second half, we’ll have a big party, and I’ll bring in some pieces from ‘Mother Spain.’”
Flores-Caraballo, who originally hails from Puerto Rico, spoke with the Mountain Times about his upbringing and how he strives to introduce the spirit, enchantment, and wonder of the holiday season from his heritage to a Vermont audience.
“Winter in Puerto Rico is more like a nice spring day in Vermont,” said Flore-Caraballo. “The traditions there, the people would go to homes unannounced late at night and sing. In most homes, people sleep with their windows open. All this music is being heard through the neighborhoods. We call it ‘Trullas de Navidad.’ It’s a very joyful experience. People receive their friends at all hours and eat soup.” In Puerto Rico, the season is a time for friendship and fellowship with friends and family, and Flore-Caraballo was excited to bring some Spanish traditional music to the program.
The two pieces Flore-Caraballo added to the program’s second half, John Rutter’s “Esta Noche” and Leroy Anderson’s “Pastores a Belen,” are popular holiday favorites in Puerto Rico.
“These two pieces are part of the folklore,” said Flore-Caraballo. “They are, however, wonderful arrangements for symphonic and chorus. They are very fiery and enjoyable.”
And with this program, Flore-Caraballo hopes to inspire and reach the audience more deeply.
“I think the holidays give us an opportunity to remember that despite how fractured things are around the world, and with so much that divides us, we are all one humanity,” Flore-Caraballo said. “One of the things I’m trying to do with this music is to remind all of us of that. This concert is an opportunity to come together and celebrate as one people.”
Spotlight on New Voices
This year’s chorus features new members, including sopranos Meaghan Diffenderfer and Lorna Jane Norris. Diffenderfer, who counts Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride as her favorite piece, shared her excitement about performing with the orchestra, saying, “I grew up singing with an orchestra, so being able to do that in Vermont is a really special treat.” Originally from Boston, Norris highlighted John Rutter’s What Sweeter Music as her favorite, adding, “As a British person, this piece resonates deeply with me.”
Giving Back to the Community
Continuing a meaningful tradition, the VSO will partner with local food shelves in each community: Hedding United Methodist Church Food Shelf in Barre, South Burlington Food Shelf in Burlington, and Black River Good Neighbor Services in Rutland. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring canned food items, which local volunteers will distribute. In 2023, audience members donated over 700 pounds of food through this initiative.
The entire concert program includes:
Traditional (arr. Sebesky) – “A Christmas Scherzo”
Traditional (arr. Willcocks) – “Adeste Fideles”
George Frideric Handel – “And the Glory of the Lord” (from Messiah)
John Rutter – “What Sweeter Music”
Georges Bizet – Farandole from “L’Arlésienne Suite” No. 2
Robert Shaw – “The Many Moods of Christmas”, Suite 4
Intermission
Quinn Mason – “Christmas Eve Festivities”
Mykola Leontovych (arr. Wilhousky) – “Carol of the Bells”
James Lord Pierpont (arr. Brandau) – “Jingle Bells, Wassail”
John Rutter – “Esta Noche”
Leroy Anderson – “Pastores a Belen”
Irving Berlin (arr. Huff/Moss) – “White Christmas”
Frederic Austin (arr. Wilberg) – “The Twelve Days of Christmas”
Leroy Anderson – “Sleigh Ride”
Whether it’s your first time or a cherished family tradition, the VSO’s Holiday Pops promises a memorable experience for audiences of all ages.
For tickets and more information, go to: vso.org.
