For the Thanksgiving holiday, Elizabeth Beilman’s family flew to Utah from around the country to attend the Utah Symphony's annual "Messiah Sing-In."
While her family and the rest of the audience sang, Beilman played the viola.
Previously a member of the Sarasota Orchestra in Florida, Beilman is a violist in her second season with the Utah Symphony.
“My mother sang in our church choir when I was growing up, so I made sure to get her a vocal score so she can sing along,” she said. “In our Handel's 'Messiah' performances, the orchestra functions like a small chamber group to create a more intimate sound.”
The "Messiah Sing-In" kicked off the holiday concert season at the Utah Symphony. Through December, the symphony will perform in a variety of concerts, including "Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular!"; "Here Comes Santa Claus!"; Celtic Woman "Home for Christmas" and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone" in concert.
In comparison to the rest of the symphony’s performing year, this holiday season provides “a wider diversity of music” and “a range of things all through the month that should suit everyone’s tastes,” said Paul Meecham, president and CEO of Utah Symphony and Utah Opera.
“There is a wide diverse range of offerings, and it’s a pretty uplifting message that says that the holidays are a time for families,” Meecham said. “Most of the programs are family related.”
Having seen a show similar to the "Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular!" in Baltimore, he recalled, “There are one or two world-class circus acts flying above the orchestra while the music is going on. It really complements the music to have the circus act there.”
Beilman said she is excited about the "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone" performances, which will provide the audience members with a unique opportunity to watch the film on a giant screen while the Utah Symphony plays John Williams’ entire score.
“To see a film while listening to a well-tuned orchestra perform its orchestration is a rare luxury and is sure to be a favorite for many audience members and performers to experience,” said principal trombone player Mark Davidson. “It's an extra challenge as a performer to align the film with the music so both are synchronized and just as if one were experiencing it in an actual theater, but with a live orchestra.”
“Here Comes Santa Claus!” is another set of concerts that are ideal for families as Santa Claus will make an appearance, said Davidson, who is in his fourth season with the Utah Symphony.
“The orchestra members and audience get to witness a surprise conductor selected from the audience as well as Santa himself on the podium for this one,” Davidson said. “Popular titles from 'The Nutcracker,' as well as 'Sleigh Ride' and 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' are some of my favorite tunes to be performed.”
Meecham believes that the music of every performance is about bringing people together and creating a community and said there is no better time than the holidays to “remind ourselves we are better off being together than being separate.”
“You have families who come to 'Here Comes Santa Claus!' or 'Harry Potter,' and they’re together because they don’t get to be together the rest of the year,” Meecham said. “It’s a wonderful and artistic experience.”
Davidson said that the Christmas season is a special time of year for the Utah Symphony because of the “feelings of joy and a cheery spirit” that come when performing the tunes of the season.
“Music plays a big role in all of our lives,” he said. “At the symphony, I feel really fortunate to be able to perform some of that music for people, live. To bring everyone together for a live concert where one's full attention can be directed towards experiencing a live performance is a great atmosphere for one to be inspired.”
Recently playing with the Utah Symphony for her family this holiday season reminded Beilman of years ago when she would perform string duets with her younger brother.
“My younger brother is a violin soloist and when we were young, we often performed together during the holidays,” she said. “I have always treasured time with my family during the Christmas season, and for me, family and music are inextricably linked.”
If you go …
What: "Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular!"
When: Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 10, 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Where: Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City
How much: $21-$87
Web: utahsymphony.org
Also …
What: "Here Comes Santa Claus!"
When: Dec. 17, 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Where: Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City
How much: $8-$21
Also …
What: Celtic Woman "Home for Christmas" with the Utah Symphony
When: Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City
How much: $58-$79
Also …
What: "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in Concert with the Utah Symphony
When: Dec. 23, 7 p.m. (sold out); Dec. 24, noon; Jan. 3, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City
How much: $27-$85