YPSILANTI — Music Director Adam C. Riccinto and the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra (YSO) continue their 20th Anniversary season with a concert at Towsley Auditorium/Washtenaw Community College on Sunday, December 2 at 3:30pm. In keeping with the season’s theme “Local Treasures,” the YSO is thrilled to perform with special guests (and beloved local favorite) The Boychoir of Ann Arbor. The program includes the symphony’s performances of Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 8” and a medley of songs from the movie “The Polar Express.” In addition, the symphony and the boychoir will jointly perform Christmas-themed pieces such as the classic “Ding Dong, Merrily on High,” Schultz’s “Christmas Mosaic,” and Bach’s “Wachet Auf.” The Boychoir of Ann Arbor will also perform a selection of choral works.

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When Czech composer Antonin Dvorak conducted the premiere performance of his “Symphony No. 8” in 1890, he was already an accomplished composer of choral, chamber, operatic and symphonic works. With financial security due to honours from state and academic sources, he worked from his summer home over two months to produce this four-movement romantic work. “Symphony No. 8” drew its inspiration from sunny and exhilarating Bohemian folk melodies and dances, and its key of G minor was considered “rustic” and unusual for a symphony at the time. After premieres in Prague, Vienna and London, the symphony was considered a smashing success. To this day, the symphony is regarded by many as one of Dvorak’s greatest, along with his ninth.

“Christmas Mosaic” is a medley of Advent and Christmas carols written by Dr. Ralph C. Schultz, to be performed by choir and orchestra. After Concordia College (NY) named its chapel for him in honor of his service as President, Music Department chair and choral director, Dr. Schultz composed

“Christmas Mosaic” and conducted it at the chapel naming ceremony in December 2008. Dr. Schultz has composed numerous organ and choral pieces, and is the author of Leading the Choir, a book for first-time choir directors. He continues to compose and guest-conduct in the Albany, NY area.

Bach’s sacred Cantata No. 140 “Wachet Auf,” written in 1731, is one of his best-known choral works. Also known as “Sleepers Wake,” the chorale on which it is based is taken from the late 16th century meditations of Phillip Nicolai. Nicolai, the Lutheran pastor of a German village wiped out by plague, unexpectedly survived the illness himself, and wrote several hymns in tribute. “Wachet Auf” references a parable from the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible, which is a warning to be prepared for the Day of Judgment.

Mack Wilberg (b. 1955) provides this arrangement of “Ding Dong, Merrily on High,” a 16th-century traditional French carol. Wilberg is well-known in the choral world for his arrangements of traditional Christmas songs. As music director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Wilberg has also produced several original compositions.

The “Concert Suite from The Polar Express” is a medley of songs from the 2004 blockbuster animated film starring Tom Hanks. The Suite includes “Believe,” “The Polar Express,” “When Christmas Comes to Town,” and “Spirit of the Season.” “Believe” was nominated for Best Original Song at the 77th Academy Awards, and won a Grammy in 2006.

The Boychoir of Ann Arbor provides valuable vocal training, sophisticated repertoire and varied performance opportunities for musically gifted boys ages eight to eighteen from the greater Ann Arbor area. For over 25 years, the Boychoir has presented annual Christmas concerts, as well as sacred music concerts and seasonal concerts. The Boychoir has appeared with many other music organizations including the Ann Arbor Symphony, Measure for Measure, Vox Early Music Ensemble, and the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club. The Boychoir of Ann Arbor also performs for community concert series, weddings and private parties, as well as in schools, senior centers, churches, non-profit organizations, and other venues throughout Michigan and northwestern Ohio.

The Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra, or YSO, is proud of its unique and significant cultural contribution to the Ypsilanti area. The YSO’s mission is “to share our passion for music through innovative programming, creative collaboration, and arts advocacy,” and to “actively contribute to the music appreciation and education of our musicians, organizational members and audience.” Led by Founder and Music Director Adam C. Riccinto, the Symphony marks its 20th anniversary with the 2018-19 season.

YSO’s growth has been driven by its partnerships with regional organizations, strengthening community ties and offering diverse musical experiences to its audiences. In addition to the traditional concert season, YSO traditionally works to showcases and collaborate with local performing arts groups. YSO also performs its annual “Ypsi Pops” outdoor concert at Riverside Park in May. Sponsored by the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Association, this very popular event draws over 500 residents and friends over Memorial Day weekend, to sit by the Huron River and kick off the summer with the music of its own community orchestra.

Other programming highlights of YSO’s 20th anniversary season include collaborations with beloved local institutions such as soprano Jessica Dold and jazz composer Paul Keller.