Joyful Echoes
with the Minnesota OrchestraThu Dec 16 — Sun Dec 19, 2021
Orchestra Hall
We join local artists PaviElle French and Kevin Kling to lead us through stories and music inspired by Minnesota's multitude of beloved holiday traditions. Our traditions are profound and poignant, truthful and often hilarious, and create the memories that we return to each year.
A Few Things to Know
- This year, we've added creative powerhouse PaviElle French to the team. She has collaborated with Kevin Kling, Peter Rothstein, Sarah Hicks, and Robert Elhai to create new stories and songs.
- The show features storytelling between Kevin and PaviElle, centered around their holiday memories of growing up in Osseo in the 1960s and St. Paul in the 1980s.
- Hear new medleys of holiday songs, plus the world premiere of a new song by PaviElle called “The Gift.”
Artists
Minnesota Orchestra
Sarah Hicks
conductor
Kevin Kling
writer and storyteller
PaviElle French
writer, storyteller and composer
Christina Baldwin
ensemble
Robert O. Berdahl
ensemble
Thomasina Petrus
ensemble
T. Mychael Rambo
ensemble
The Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, founded in 1903 and led since its centennial by Music Director Osmo Vänskä, is recognized for distinguished performances around the world, award-winning recordings, radio broadcasts, educational engagement programs, and commitment to building the orchestral repertoire of the future. The Orchestra tours regularly throughout Minnesota and nationally, and has toured abroad in Australia, Canada, East Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and South Africa. Recording has been an important part of the organization’s mission since the 1920s. During Vänskä’s tenure, the Orchestra has undertaken acclaimed recordings, including complete cycles of symphonies by Ludwig van Beethoven, Jean Sibelius and—now underway—Mahler.
Conductor Sarah Hicks, the Minnesota Orchestra’s principal conductor of Live at Orchestra Hall, has led a broad range of programs since joining the Orchestra as assistant conductor in 2006. Her notable projects with the Orchestra have included co-creating the Inside the Classics and Sam & Sarah series with Orchestra violist Sam Bergman; conducting a live-in-concert recording with singer-rapper Dessa released in 2019 on the Doomtree Records label; leading numerous original Orchestra programs including Home for the Holidays, A Musical Feast and A Scandinavian Christmas; and conducting many of the Orchestra's Movies & Music concerts. Away from Orchestra Hall, she recently conducted performances of Disney Pixar’s Coco at the Hollywood Bowl as well as the orchestra in ABC’s live televised production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
Your Concert Experience
Join us for Q&A’s, hosted discussions, exhibits and more. All free with your concert ticket!
Elixir Haus: Tinctures for the Bold
When: Pre-Concert and Intermission
Where: Cargill Commons
Indulge at the Elixir Haus outside Orchestra Hall. Bold shots and classic flavors, crafted to warm quickly. Also available: wine, prosecco, coffee and hot chocolate (with or without spirits).
Mary Louise Knutson Trio
When: Thu Dec 16 | 9:45am-10:45am
Where: Roberta Mann Grand Foyer
Enjoy jazz standards and original compositions by the Mary Louise Knutson Trio, featuring Knutson on piano, backed by bassist Gordon Johnson and drummer Phil Hey.
The Minnesota Chorale Holiday Heralds
When: Sat Dec 18 | 7pm-7:45pm
Where: Roberta Mann Grand Foyer
The Minnesota Chorale, Minnesota's preeminent symphonic chorus, has served as the Minnesota Orchestra’s principal chorus since 2004. The Holiday Heralds are Minnesota Chorale singers who perform during the holidays, bringing joyful seasonal music to audiences in community settings throughout the Twin Cities.
Capri Big Band
When: Sun Dec 19 | 1pm-1:45pm
Where: N. Bud Grossman Mezzanine
Tap your toes, move your feet, and sway to the music as the Capri Big Band performs songs to get you in the holiday spirit. They will also intersperse some familiar standards for your enjoyment.
Simpson Housing Services Blanket Drive
When: Dec 16-19 | Pre and Post-Concert
Where: Roberta Mann Grand Foyer
Donate new twin, full, and queen size blankets to support Simpson Housing Services, a local nonprofit that helps thousands of people experiencing homelessness find the housing, support, and shelter they need in a time of personal crisis. Look for collection bins near the Christmas tree in the lobby.
Creative Team
Peter Rothstein, stage director
Robert Elhai, PaviElle French and Peter Ostroushko, composers
Kelli Foster Warder, assistant director, choreographer
Eric McEnaney, musical preparation
Video: Pavielle French: The Gift
The most beautiful and personal thing about this project for me was the looking back/looking forward aspect of it.”
Accessibility Services
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Large Print Programs
- Service Animals
- Wheelchair & Accessible Seating
Additional services are available upon request.
Sponsors
