A VIRTUAL HOLIDAY CONCERT

directed by john gordon ross

How do you have a holiday concert in a pandemic? For BRO Revels! 2020, small groups of volunteer musicians formed “player pods” that met over 4 Wednesday evenings at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts to rehearse and record some favorite holiday tunes, masked when possible, distanced when not. We are delighted to present the results of their work.

To see the complete concert in its entirety, click play below. If you prefer to chart your own course through the concert, click any title in the program listing below the video player to open an individual recording on YouTube.

Happy holidays from all of us here at the Blue Ridge Orchestra!

Click play in this video player to view the concert in its entirety:

John Gordon Ross, Conductor
December 11-31, 2020
Sponsored by Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty

An opening message from Board President Deb Kenney

Canzon Septimi Toni #2…………………………………………………Giovanni Gabrieli (1557-1612)
BRO Brass Choir

Greensleeves (What Child is This?)……..…………Traditional British, arr. Matthew Naughtin
BRO String Quartet

O Magnum Mysterium................……Morton Lauridsen (b. 1943), arr. Sandra Dackow
BRO String Orchestra

In Dulci Jubilio/I Saw Three Ships.................……………………Traditional, arr. Bernard Walker
Biltmore Brass Quintet

“Pie Jesu” from Requiem………………………………Andrew Lloyd Webber (b. 1948), arr. John Leavitt
BRO String Orchestra

“Pie Jesu” from Requiem in D minor, Op. 48…………………………Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)
Amanda Vollrath, soprano; Luke Shaver, piano

Canzon noni toni……………………………………………………………….Giovanni Gabrieli (1557-1612)
BRO Brass Choir

The Holly and the Ivy................……………………………………Traditional English, arr. Mike Lyons
BRO Woodwind Quintet

Carol of the Bells/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen…Mykola Leontovich (1877-1921)/Traditional, arr. Matt Riley
Hanako Hjersman, violin
BRO String Orchestra

Ding Dong Merrily on High……………………………………………Traditional, arr. Luther Henderson
Biltmore Brass Quintet

Carol of the Drum………………………Katherine K. Davis (1892-1980), arr. Matthew Naughtin
BRO String Quartet

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)………Mel Tormé (1925-1999)
Amanda Vollrath, soprano; Luke Shaver, piano

We Wish You a Merry Christmas………………………………………Traditional, arr. Steve Reisteter
BRO Woodwind Quintet

Silent Night.................................…………………Franz Gruber (1787-1863), arr. Erik Morales
Hanako Hjersman, violin
BRO String Orchestra

Closing message from Music Director John Gordon Ross

BRO String Orchestra

First Violin
Hanako Hjersman, Concertmaster
Kate Bryant
Day Ann Emory

Second Violin
Noah Bijesse
Sissel Topple
Karen Cianculli

Viola
Brenda Phetteplace
Debra Baumann
Nick Frost

Violoncello
Judy Handley
Brynn Heyes
Sarah Rocco Ross

Contrabass
Michael DiTrolio

BRO String Quartet

Hanako Hjersman, Violin
Kate Bryant, Violin
Brenda Phetteplace, Viola
Sarah Rocco Ross, Violoncello

BRO Woodwind Quintet

Bradford Malbon, Flute
Carlton Alexander, Oboe 
Justin Landry, Clarinet 
Susan Cohen, Bassoon
David Lehlbach, French Horn

BRO Vocal and Piano Duo

Amanda Vollrath, Soprano
Luke Shaver, Piano