The wide variety of holiday music will include traditional Hanukah, holiday and Christmas favorites. Of special interest is the “Maestro Madness” competition that will take place during the concert. Three local celebrities-Chris Kelly, Rit Lennon and Linda Romano- will vie to conduct the orchestra in Leroy Anderson’s well-known “Sleighride.” Concert attendees will get to vote for their favorite maestro after their “tryouts” prior to intermission.

The program will also include Tchaikowsky’s “Nutcracker Suite,” as well other favorite music of the season. As the orchestra awaits the reopening of the Stanley Theatre, it is pleased to return to what was once its main performance venue-Proctor High School. “The 1,500-seat auditorium will be a wonderful place to play, with ample room on stage for the large choruses, and it is among the best venues in the area acoustically,” said Utica Symphony Music Director Charles Schneider.

“This promises to be a wonderful afternoon of music-making for the entire Utica community.” Tickets are $10 each or $25 for a family. For ticket information call the Stanley Theatre box office at (315) 724-4000.