PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WELCOMES THE MAGIC AND EXCITEMENT OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Festive Concerts for All Ages

First-Ever Sensory Friendly Holiday Pops Concert

25-Foot Grand Fir Christmas Tree in Heinz Hall Grand Lobby

For Immediate Release
December 4, 2019

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PITTSBURGH, PA—The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s holiday season gets into full swing this week with festive concerts and activities that underscore the joy and traditions of the season. Holiday celebrations for all ages now take front stage at Heinz Hall with favorite holiday music at Highmark Holiday Pops, the magical sounds of Celtic Woman, the awe-inspiring Messiah, and seasonal decorations including a Menorah and a 25-foot Grand Fir Christmas tree open for public viewing.

“Music enhances and enriches the magic and meaning of the holidays. It’s a joy to help spread the cheer of the season, and to celebrate with lively and cherished music that is guaranteed to get everyone in the holiday spirit,” said Melia Tourangeau, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. “We invite everyone to come enjoy the holiday traditions at Heinz Hall that make this the most wonderful time of the year.”

Tickets for most events are on sale 24 hours/day online at pittsburghsymphony.org. The Heinz Hall Box Office hours are Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by calling 412.392.4900 Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Group, student and military discounts are available.

Highmark Holiday Pops concerts are made possible by title sponsorship support from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Fairmont Pittsburgh is the official hotel of the Pittsburgh Symphony. The Sensory Friendly concert is made possible by generous grants from FedEx Ground, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield & Allegheny Health Network, PPG Foundation, Wesley Family Services and Pirates Charities. Pittsburgh Symphony Learning & Community Engagement programs are supported by generous grants from Lincoln Learning Solutions, The Jack Buncher Foundation, the Allegheny Regional Asset District, and the Pennsylvania Tourism Office. Endowment Funding for Messiah is provided by the Howard & Nell E. Miller Foundation. PSO360 concerts are made possible by series sponsorship support from Cohen & Grigsby. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is the Holiday sponsor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

2019 HOLIDAY SEASON WITH THE PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

CONCERTS – All take place at Heinz Hall

Handel’s Messiah

Saturday, December 7, 2019, 8:00pm

Osmo Vänskä, conductor
Nola Richardson, soprano
Eve Gigliotti, mezzo-soprano
Karim Sulayman, tenor
Richard Ollarsaba, bass-baritone
Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh
Matthew Mehaffey, music director

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, an all-star cast of soloists and The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh join together for one of the most festive musical events of the year.

PSO360: Holiday Brass Spectacular

Monday, December 9, 2019, 8:00 pm

The virtuosic brass section of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is renowned for its brilliance, refinement and incredible power. From traditional Baroque favorites to inventive arrangements of your most-loved holiday tunes, this festive evening is sure to usher in the merry season.

Highmark Holiday Pops

Friday, December 13 – Sunday, December 22, 2019
Concert times vary according to date.

Deck the halls with boughs of holly – and all of your favorite holiday music! Bring the whole family to experience Pittsburgh's holiday tradition with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, Broadway star Ashley Brown, and Santa Claus, too!

Daniel Meyer, conductor
Ashley Brown, vocalist
Christopher Sanders, vocalist
The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh; Matthew Mehaffey, Music Director
Three Rivers Ringers
Attack Theatre
Point Park University Vocal Trio

Sensory Friendly Concert: Holiday Pops

Saturday, December 21, 2019, 2:30pm

For the first time ever, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra presents our traditional Holiday Pops concert as a sensory friendly performance! Get in the holiday spirit with the entire family, in a judgment-free environment that is welcoming to all, especially those with sensory sensitivities and those on the autism spectrum.

Daniel Meyer, conductor
Katy Williams, vocalist
Christopher Sanders, vocalist
Alexandra Thompson Lee, cello
Three Rivers Ringers
Pittsburgh Youth Chorus; Shawn Funk, Director
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

Celtic Woman – The Best of Christmas

Wednesday, December 18, 2019, 7:30 p.m.

Experience the magical sound of Celtic Woman this holiday season and hear their angelic harmonies with the thrilling live sound of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra!

HOLIDAY SEASON EVENTS

Heinz Hall Christmas Tree Viewing

Heinz Hall Grand Lobby

The Heinz Hall Christmas tree is available for public viewing, as well as for concert ticket-holders, before and after performances. Please enter Heinz Hall through the grand lobby doors, located at 600 Penn Avenue.

Public viewing is open to the public from 11a.m.–1:30p.m. during the following dates:

December 4–6, 2019
December 9–13, 2019
December 16–20, 2019

The Christmas tree comes from Rossman Farm in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, was delivered by Eichenlaub Nursery and was decorated by Plantscape.

Holiday KidsPlay

Saturdays and Sundays, through December 22, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Special Holiday Hours: December 26–30, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; New Year’s Eve: Open late until 10:00 p.m.
Heinz Hall Garden Plaza (outdoors)

The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is celebrating the holiday season with help from Pittsburgh neighbors to offer fun, educational activities in collaboration with Fred Rogers Productions and community partners.

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Media Contacts
Julie Goetz | Director of Communications
jgoetz@pittsburghsymphony.org | 412.392.4866