Dec 7
MUNCIE - The weather outside was frightful on Saturday afternoon, but inside Emens Auditorium the mood was delightful as hundreds turned out for the annual MSO Fisher-Shafer Holiday Pops concert.
MSO Maestro Bohuslav Rattay invited the audience to "leave your cares at the door and escape to a world of sugarplums and sparkling snowflakes, where tiny reindeer paw at the wintry rooftops and the voices of angels warm the cold night air."
The sugarplums and snowflakes were provided by the lovely young dancers from the Muncie Ballet Studio, who offered up selections from "The Nutcracker."
The reindeer came courtesy of the always festive University Singers, who delivered "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," as well as a fun re-telling of "Twas the Night Before Christmas."
The voices of barbershop angels were the Magic City Music Men, who turned in a fun collection of holiday favorites and a very entertaining "Merry Christmas Chopsticks."
The MSO musicians also had an opportunity to shine during several pieces, including the lovely Faradole from "L'Arlesienne," Suite No. 2.
The auditorium was decked out in the colors of the season - the lighting effects added splashes of green and red as well "snowflakes" on the wall.
During intermission, concertgoers were invited to sip hot chocolate and coffee and sample treats downstairs. And families posed in the lobby for holiday photos, provided for free by the MSO.
But it was the final piece, a heart-warming "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," which had all the performers packed on the stage at the same time, that truly unwrapped the best gift - all of the great talent this community has to offer.
