From Jingle Bells to the Hallelujah Chorus, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s (NHSO) popular Holiday concerts are back and touring across southern Connecticut during the month of December.

Principal Pops Conductor Chelsea Tipton will lead the New Haven Symphony’s Holiday Extravaganza on Saturday, December 11 at 2:30pm at the Lyman Center for the Performing Arts at Southern Connecticut State University and Sunday, December 12 at 3:00pm at Shelton High School. This year’s program will feature timeless classics like Sleigh Ride, Greensleeves, and excerpts from The Nutcracker, and audiences will “Rejoice Greatly” when they hear singing sensation and New Haven favorite, Dr. Tiffany Renee Jackson, perform favorites including “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “O Holy Night.”

The music will continue the following week with two performances of Handel’s Messiah conducted by music director Alasdair Neale on Thursday, December 16 at 7:30pm at Sacred Heart University’s Community Theatre and Friday, December 17 at 7:30pm at St. Mary’s Church (New Haven). The orchestra will be joined by the professional chamber choir from New Haven’s Christ Church and soloists Adrienne Lotto, Allegra De Vita, Gene Stenger, and Harrison Hintzsche.

Once again, the NHSO will be partnering with the Community Soup Kitchen of New Haven to help feed the hungry this holiday season. 25% of all ticket sales from the December 17 performance at St. Mary’s Church will be donated to the soup kitchen.

Music Director Alasdair Neale says, “While I’ve conducted Handel’s Messiah on a number of occasions in the past, this will be the first time I’m performing it in New Haven. It’s easy to take Messiah for granted, since for many it’s as familiar as an old pair of slippers, but I’m always struck by the music’s sheer dramatic intensity. However many times you may have heard it—or especially if you’re hearing it for the first time! — I hope you’ll enjoy the epic journey and appreciate the vitality and beauty of this uniquely wonderful work.”

Covid-19 Protocols: All audience members will present a photo ID and proof of vaccination or proof of negative PCR Covid test taken within 48 hours prior to the event they plan to attend. Masks will be worn at all times. The Symphony will be limiting audience capacity and spacing audience members when possible.

Tickets: Ticket prices vary by performance and range from $35-49. Tickets for kids 17 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket. To purchase tickets, visit NewHavenSymphony.org or call (203) 787-4282. To purchase tickets to the December 16 performance of Handel’s Messiah at SHU Community Theatre, visit SHUCommunityTheatre.org.

The NHSO’s Holiday Concerts are sponsored by Southern Connecticut State University, the Valley Community Foundation, the New Haven Register, and Frontier.