The Cape Symphony Orchestra presents “Holiday on the Cape” at the Barnstable Performing Arts Center on Friday, December 5, 2025 at 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM, Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM, and Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

Download a printable version of these Program Notes.

THE CAPE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Alyssa Wang, Music Director, Conductor
Joe Marchio, Assistant Conductor

GUEST ARTISTS

Chatham Chorale
Joe Marchio, Director

Patrice Tiedemann, Soprano

Align Dance Company (except Sunday evening)
Savanna Vaughn, Director

Cape Symphony Youth Orchestra (at Saturday’s performances)
Mark Miller, Music Director

CHATHAM CHORALE

ALIGN DANCE COMPANY

 THE CAPE SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA

"HOLIDAY ON THE CAPE"

A Christmas Overture (Variations on “Deck the Halls”)
Jeff Tyzik

We Need A Little Christmas
Jerry Herman, Arr. Mark Hayes

There Is No Christmas Like A Home Christmas
Carl Sigman & Mickey Addy, Arr. Wally Harper

A Chanukah Festival
Mark Miller

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Hugh Martin, Arr. Brad Ritchie

The Christmas Song
Mel Tormé, Arr. Bob Lowden

A Christmas Carol Fantasy
Traditional, Arr. Paul Campbell

Greensleeves
Traditional, Arr. Ryan James Brandau

Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

INTERMISSION (20 minutes)

 Sleigh Ride
Leroy Anderson

Mele Kalikimaka
R. Alex Anderson, Arr. Vic Schoen

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Vince Guaraldi, Arr. David Pugh

The First Noel
Traditional, Arr. Mack Wilberg

White Christmas
Irving Berlin, Arr. John Moss

A Visit From St. Nicholas
Matthew Naughtin

O Holy Night
Adolphe Adam/Traditional, Arr. Dan Goeller

Christmas Carol-Oke
Traditional, Arr. Larry Clark

Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah, HWV 56, Part II, No. 44
George Frideric Handel, Arr. Ebenezer Prout

Auld Lang Syne
Traditional, Arr. Jeff Tyzik

ABOUT TODAY’S PROGRAM

The Cape Symphony’s “Holiday on the Cape” sets a merry tone from the very first note, as the Orchestra swings right into Jeff Tyzik’s A Christmas Overture (1996), a set of clever variations on “Deck the Halls” in the styles of Mozart, Gabrieli, Count Basie, and Stravinsky.

The Chatham Chorale joins the Orchestra for Jerry Herman’s “We Need a Little Christmas” from the 1966 musical Mame, originally performed on Broadway by Angela Lansbury in the title role. Lucille Ball replaced her in the 1974 film version; Mame was Lucy’s final film appearance.

Soprano Patrice Tiedemann will perform “There Is No Christmas Like a Home Christmas.” Wally Harper’s setting of Carl Sigman and Mickey Addy’s song leans into the nostalgia with gentle pacing and plush orchestration.

The Orchestra is delighted to perform a piece by one of our own! “A Chanukah Festival” was composed by Mark Miller, our Principal Clarinetist. He is also Music Director and Conductor of the Cape Symphony Youth Orchestra. “A Chanukah Festival” is a good-humored nod to Leroy Anderson, and great fun for musicians and audiences alike.

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (1943) was introduced by Judy Garland in the MGM musical Meet Me in St. Louis, and later recorded by Frank Sinatra and many others, from The Carpenters to Whitney Houston to John Legend. It’s been ranked among the top Christmas and film songs in history.

Who can hear Mel Tormé’s “The Christmas Song” without smiling? The Cape Symphony Orchestra guarantees it won’t be you. This holiday standard, first recorded by the Nat King Cole trio in 1946, is said to be the most-performed Christmas song of all time. It’s exactly the kind of music that Patrice Tiedemann remembers signaling the start of the Christmas season in her family. “When my grandmother broke out her Nat King Cole records and started tip-tapping around cooking and cleaning, you knew it was time!” she laughs.

Patrice Tiedemann and the Chatham Chorale join the Orchestra for Paul Campbell’s A Christmas Carol Fantasy, bringing beloved carols together in a seamless tapestry. Listen for “Ding Dong Merrily on High,” “Silent Night,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Joy to the World.” Then, take in Ryan James Brandau’s sumptuous arrangement of the traditional English melody “Greensleeves,” beautifully showcasing the Orchestra’s talents. The Christmas carol “What Child Is This?” was set to the tune of Greensleeves in 1871.

We’re delighted to welcome Align Dance Company to the Cape Symphony stage! They will perform to Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Flowers” from the second act of The Nutcracker (1892), closing the first half of our concert with elegance and grace.

INTERMISSION (20 minutes)

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling! Leroy Anderson’s light orchestra standard “Sleigh Ride,” while not originally written for Christmas, has come to embody the cheery, festive spirit of the holiday. Anderson is said to have had the idea for the piece during a July 1946 heat wave! It was first performed by Arthur Fiedler’s Boston Pops in 1948, and has become one of that orchestra’s signature songs. At Saturday’s performances, the Cape Symphony Youth Orchestra will play “Sleigh Ride” alongside their professional counterparts.

A change of climate arrives with “Mele Kalikimaka,” R. Alex Anderson’s song full of bright color and relaxed vibes from the land where palm trees sway, followed by beloved music from Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” David Pugh’s arrangement perfectly captures the original’s innocence, tenderness, and warmth.

The Chatham Chorale will perform Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of “The First Noel,” a traditional English carol heralding the coming of Christmas. First published in its current form in the early 1800s, it is thought to have originated as part of a miracle play in the 13^th or 14^th century. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless message of hope and joy.

Patrice Tiedemann returns to the stage for Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” the Oscar-winning song from the 1942 film Holiday Inn. This is perhaps the single most popular American secular Christmas carol. Bing Crosby’s version is the world’s best-selling single, with estimated sales in excess of 50 million physical copies worldwide.

Now, let visions of sugar-plums dance in your heads! Matthew Naughtin’s A Visit From St. Nicholas sets Clement Clarke Moore’s beloved poem with whimsical detail. Our own Joe Marchio narrates.

Originally based on a French poem, “O Holy Night” was adapted into English by John Dwight in 1855. It has been performed by many singers from operatic to pop, but lends itself best to gifted classical talents like Patrice Tiedemann’s. Strong feelings are woven into the piece, and it’s not unusual to see audience members dabbing their eyes as it builds and builds. “When I’m entrusted with this song, I know it attaches to people’s emotions,” she says.

“O Holy Night” is a tough act to follow, but we can do it together! Larry Clark’s Christmas Carol-Oke is a jovial medley of holiday favorites. You’ll hear (and hopefully sing!) “O Christmas Tree,” “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” “Up On the Housetop,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

Next, the Chatham Chorale joins the Orchestra for the “Hallelujah Chorus” from George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. The word “hallelujah” is a Hebrew interjection used as an expression of praise and gratitude, and repeated in exultation in this incomparable piece of music. Messiah, an English language oratorio first performed in Dublin in 1742, has become one of the most frequently performed choral works in Western music. Its “Hallelujah Chorus” is famous as a stand-alone piece, with brass, timpani, and voices soaring to the heavens.

Holiday on the Cape wraps with “Auld Lang Syne,” a hearty, resonant farewell that looks ahead with gratitude and hope. From the Cape Symphony family to yours, best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!

Please note that the program and performers are subject to change.

Thank you for attending “Holiday on the Cape!”
We hope you’ve had a wonderful time and that we’ll see you again soon.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Director of Concert Operations
Patrick Gallagher

Stage Manager
Kimberly Monteiro

Assistant Stage Manager
Brendan Gallagher

Stage Crew
Jay Ivanof
John Bishop

Box Office
Rebeka Broitman, Supervisor
Eleanor Fothergill, Nancy Wilde

Hospitality & Accommodations Coordinator
Charlotte Baxter

Librarian
Victoria Krukowski

Lighting Designer
Kendra Murphy

Managing Artistic Principal
Jae Cosmos Lee

Personnel Manager
Wes Hopper

Usher Supervisor
Betty Morse

Cape Symphony Staff and Board of Trustees

SUPPORT YOUR CAPE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Ticket sales cover only part of the cost to maintain a professional orchestra on Cape Cod. Generous donations and community support make the difference.

Donating is easy, online at www.capesymphony.org/donations or by mail to Cape Symphony, 2235 Iyannough Road, West Barnstable, MA 02668. For more information about ways to support Cape Symphony, please contact Director of Advancement Paul Mastrodonato atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 774-470-2282 ext. 101. Thank you!

Program Notes by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Cape Symphony's Marketing Content Manager. References include hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com, tyzikmusic.com, and wendelmusic.com.