Carmel Symphony Orchestra – Courtesy of Dubbie Buckler. Used with permission.
Ben Davis – Courtesy of Dubbie Bucker. Used with permission.
“An embarrassment of riches” is the best way to describe the “Holiday Pops” concert presented by Carmel Symphony Orchestra, Saturday evening. at The Palladium at the Center for the Performing arts in Carmel. Led by guest conductor, Chicago-based conductor Paul Langford, the concert, performed in front of a full house, featured special guests, Ben Davis, Amelia Wray, the Second Presbyterian Church Choir and dancers from the Indiana Ballet Conservatory.
The CSO itself continues to excel in terms of its sound quality due to the technical ability and musicality of its professional musicians. Coaxed masterfully by maestro Langford, the nearly 70 musicians, playing splendid arrangements, never sounded better. As far as the program itself, which included holiday favorites and traditional Christmas carols, its scope and the variety offered was much more than anticipated.
Amelia Wray – Courtesy of Dubbie Bucker. Used with permission.
Tony Award nominated singer Ben Davis, a native Hoosier and Lawrence High School grad, showed off his Broadway pedigree and formidable vocals and stage presence performing “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” The Christmas Song/Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland” and “Edelweiss.”
Carmel native and former Disney Channel star Amelia Wray, now a first-year student at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee turned in a vivacious performance, showing poise and personality plus as she splendidly vocalized “Mary Did You Know” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”
Davis and Wray displayed affable chemistry in their duet of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. However, their performance was marred by mutual introductions which sounded awkward at best. The commentary might have been more effective had it been scripted and delivered by the conductor.
The concert showstoppers were the stunning performances of dancers from Indiana Ballet Conservatory. Choreographed by Alyona Yakoleva, IBC founder and artistic director, a corps of magnificent dancers performed the snow scene in “Waltz of the Flowers,” from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.” They were followed by a breathtaking pas de deux, choreographed by Sergey Sergiev, starring Luke Derksen and Clara Crane who danced to “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” The technique and artistry exhibited by all the dancers was impeccable.
Indiana Ballet Conservatory – Courtesy of Dubbie Buckler. Used with permission.
Impressive as well was the Second Presbyterian Church Choir led by Dr. Michelle Lauer, which executed a gorgeous blend performing songs that included “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” “A Christmas Blessing,” and “Ding Dong Merrily,”
Highlights of CSO’s instrumentals included “Candles and Dreidels’ in recognition of Hannukah, “A Christmas Scherzo” and “Sleigh Ride.”
Under the savvy leadership of Executive Director Anne Marie Chastain and a highly engaged board of directors, the CSO has once again demonstrated that the quality of its product and programming is a force to be reckoned with, as a major player in the Central Indiana arts scene. I for one, look forward to covering what lies ahead as CSO continues its artistic climb.
For information about the Carmel Symphony Orchestra 2023-2024 season visit carmelsymphony.org.
