EMORY, VA – The most wonderful time of the year comes to life with a dazzling holiday tradition! This year’s concert brings together the Academy of Strings, MECCA Children’s Choirs, Highland Youth Ensemble, Mountain Mission School Choir, our Voices of the Mountains, and our new Summit Chamber Singers for an evening of classic carols, festive favorites, and heartwarming holiday music.

This family-friendly concert has become a cherished holiday tradition in our community. Join us for an afternoon of music that captures the joy and spirit of the season.

THIS EVENT’S SEATING IS GENERAL ADMISSION*

*Must select seat from map to confirm ticket purchase.

Tickets sell quickly for this popular annual event! Students and Children receive free tickets. Group discounts available for 10+ people. Call (423) 392-8423 or email info@symphonyofthemountains.org to reserve your seats.

Guest Conductor Spotlight – Ismael Sandoval

Ismael Sandoval is a Mexican-American conductor based in Chattanooga, TN. As a conductor, Ismael has directed several ensembles across the East Coast, all invested in the pursuit of bringing people together in the beauty and power of music. Ismael is currently the assistant conductor of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera (CSO), the conductor of the CSO Youth Symphony, and music director at First Christian Church of Chattanooga.

Ismael is a collaborator and a bridge builder between various organizations and his efforts span across many disciplines and genres. In his efforts to give back to his community and promote the profound impact that music can have on people, Ismael frequently brings music to life in unorthodox performance venues such as homeless shelters, assisted living facilities, hospitals, parks, and anywhere else where music might be needed.

Ismael was the first Artistic Director/Conductor of the Women’s Chorus, an ensemble in Boston that connects women experiencing poverty and homelessness with the healing power of music. In addition to his work with the Women’s Chorus, he also served as the assistant conductor for both the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and Eureka Ensemble. Ismael was also the conducting fellow with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra with Diane Wittry for the ‘17-’18 season. In 2017, Ismael won the College Orchestra Directors Association National Conference Conducting Competition and Workshop.

As a champion of new music, Ismael frequently premieres works by composers from all around the country in several different styles and genres. Ismael also believes in expanding the traditional canon of repertoire to include more representation from diverse composers of all walks of life and has programmed unique concerts that tastefully balance pieces from the classical canon with these new and exciting works.

Ismael is quite passionate about opera and has served as music director for several productions with various companies in Boston. Ismael’s work as an arranger and orchestrator were showcased in the 2019 season with a highly acclaimed arrangement and interpretation of Bellini’s La Sonnambula (Promenade Opera Project). Ismael also ventured into the digital music making medium during the COVID-19 lockdown by music directing an online performance of Beethoven’s Fidelio (Promenade Opera Project), as well as producing several virtual choir projects.

Ismael has had recent engagements with  Corsara Artists (Menotti’s The Medium), Commonwealth Lyric Theater Opera (Bizet’s Carmen), the Boston Philharmonic, Eureka Ensemble, MassOpera (Strauss’ Die Fledermaus), the Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra (Lawrenceville, GA), the Saratoga Orchestra of Whidbey Island (Langley, WA), the Medomak Festival Orchestra (Washington, ME), the College Orchestra Directors Association National Conference Orchestra, the Florida Keys Community Concert Band, the Berklee & Boston Conservatory Recording Orchestra, and the Boston Conservatory Composers’ Recital Series.

Ismael received his Masters of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, under the tutelage of Bruce Hangen, and received his B.M. in Music Education and B.M. in Composition from the University of Florida.

 

OUR FEATURED GUESTS:

ACADEMY OF STRINGS

Academy of Strings (AOS) and Symphony of the Mountains have enjoyed a vibrant, long-standing collaboration. Guided by master violinists Tim and Kim Barrett, AOS has nurtured students ages 4 to 18 for over 32 years using the Suzuki Method. This family-centered program fosters musical skill and discipline in students from nine counties across East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Offering instruction from beginner to advanced levels, AOS incorporates a range of styles—from classical to lively hoedowns and original scores. AOS is committed to developing confidence, patience, and respect through music education and welcomes new students. For more information, contact Tim Barrett at 423-915-1212 or visit academyofstrings.com.

MOUNTAIN EMPIRE CHILDREN’S CHORAL ACADEMY

Under the leadership of Artistic Director, Jane DeLoach Morison, MECCA continues to be true to its mission of enriching the lives of youth in the region through a program of vocal music education, and through the study and performance of the world’s great choral literature. In addition to the East Tennessee Children’s Choir and Emory Virginia Children’s Choir for treble singers in grades 4 and up, MECCA choirs include the newly formed Explorers under the direction of Emory McCraw (grades 1-3), and the Highlands Youth Ensemble (grades 9-12). MECCA choirs consist of public, private, and home-educated children from at least 20 different towns/cities in the Mountain Empire, and are open to all children, including those who may be economically, physically, and/or mentally challenged.

MOUNTAIN MISSION SCHOOL CHOIR

Our mission is to be a refuge and resource for children in need, offering a nurturing home environment with daily care, guidance, and support. We provide each child with a quality education that includes core academics, Biblical studies, vocational training, cultural enrichment, and various extracurricular activities. We also create intentional opportunities for spiritual growth through worship, prayer, devotions, and small groups—all in dedication to Christ and for the glory of God.