Unfortunately, John Morris Russell is unable to conduct this weekend’s performances of Holiday Pops due to illness. Bradley Thachuk, conductor of the Niagara Symphony and frequent BPO guest conductor, will conduct Thursday, Friday, and Saturday’s performances. BPO Conductor Diversity Fellow Fernanda Lastra will conduct Sunday’s performance.

Please contact the BPO Box Office at (716) 885-5000 or boxoffice@bpo.org with any questions.

Deck the concert hall with holly jolly fun as Principal Pops Conductor John Morris Russell returns for four festive performances filled to the brim with holiday music favorites, a timeless carol sing-along, and maybe even a visit from the “man with the bag” himself… if you’re nice!

Program

John Morris Russell, conductor
Sydney McSweeney, vocalist
African American Cultural Center
Amy Glidden, violin
Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus

COLERIDGE-TAYLOR/arr. Baynes  Christmas Overture
arr. Ryan Murphy  Dance and Sing (Il est né)
arr. Rob Mounsey  We Three Kings
HAMLISCH/orch. Anthony Bisbano  Chanukah Lights
arr. Matt Catingub  Joy To The World
HERBERT  Toyland from Babes in Toyland
HERBERT/arr. Campbell-Watson  March of the Toys from Babes in Toyland
GRUBER/arr. Matt Catingub  Silent Night Zydeco
BROOKS, STANLEY & TAYLOR/arr. Jim Gray  Man With The Bag
arr. Jeff Tyzik  O Come All Ye Faithful

–INTERMISSION–

DAVIS/arr. Rebecca Pellett  Little Drummer Boy
BIZET  Farandole from L’Arlésienne, Suite No. 2
BERLIN/arr. Bennett  White Christmas
BACH/arr. Gounod  Ave Maria
ALAN SILVESTRI/arr. Jerry Brubaker  Suite from The Polar Express
arr. Jeff Tyzik  God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
arr. Jeff Tyzik  Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
arr. Finegan  A Christmas Sing-A-Long
GRUBER/arr. Luck  Silent Night
arr. Harris  We Wish You a Merry Christmas

About Sydney McSweeney
Vocalist

Sydney McSweeney’s distinctive jazz, gospel, and pop vocal stylings have made her one of the country’s hottest young vocalists. Her dynamic performances with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra have been described as “stunningly beautiful,” and her standing-room-only night club performances have become a favorite of audiences across the country. Although her schedule is jam-packed with recording sessions and performances, as a devoted teacher, she still carves out time to nurture the talents of her many students. When Sydney isn’t singing or teaching, she loves spending time under the warm covers of her bed watching movies.