Cleveland Orchestra Prepares for Annual Holiday Concert Series

The Cleveland Orchestra is gearing up for its much-anticipated annual Holiday Concerts, set to begin on December 13 and running through December 21, 2025. This year’s concerts will feature a festive theme titled “Home for the Holidays,” showcasing a blend of traditional and contemporary holiday music. The preparation for these concerts begins months in advance, ensuring a seamless experience for attendees.

Behind the Scenes at Severance

Guest conductor Sarah Hicks, now in her second year leading the event, likens the planning process to “Christmas in July.” She emphasizes that the production schedule is extensive, involving numerous logistical elements beyond just the musical performance. “Everything is so thought-through,” Hicks stated, highlighting the complexity of the operation that includes lighting, sound, and staging.

The orchestration of the Holiday Concerts is a collaborative effort, with Lisa Wong, the director of choruses, playing a crucial role. The two began brainstorming musical ideas in early summer, eventually curating a playlist that reflects the concert’s international theme. This year, they commissioned two new arrangements specifically for the series.

As the production team works meticulously on various aspects like lighting and sound design, Wong and Hicks collaborate with production manager Ian Mercer. Together, they design a unique lighting plan for each performance piece, which includes an array of festive elements such as snowflakes and candy canes. This requires both owned and rented equipment, a process that can take several days to complete.

Logistical Challenges and Musical Collaborations

The scale of the Holiday Concerts presents unique challenges. The venue, Severance Music Center, while acoustically designed for orchestral performances, poses difficulties for amplification. Mercer notes that the venue wasn’t originally designed with modern sound equipment in mind, making adjustments necessary for this year’s performances.

This year, the orchestra will also incorporate a film screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which adds to the complexity of the audio-visual setup. Two projection machines must be transported and calibrated to ensure a flawless experience. Mercer observes, “When you put speakers on stage, things get reverberant very quickly.”

Wong’s efforts extend beyond music selection; she manages a detailed spreadsheet to create a unique, 140-voice choir for each of the twelve holiday concerts. This year, the choir will feature singers from two guest ensembles, including the Wooster Chorus and the Cleveland State University Chorale, alongside the usual Cleveland Orchestra Chorus. Coordinating approximately 300 singers requires intricate planning, especially when accommodating last-minute schedule changes.

In addition to the musical elements, logistical considerations such as backstage space and accommodations for guest performers are critical. This includes ensuring that special arrangements are made for Santa Claus, who is a beloved feature of the concerts. Mercer notes that Santa is treated with the same respect as a soloist, requiring a microphone and specific audience interaction guidelines.

As the concert series approaches, the intensity of preparation heightens. Stagehands, lighting technicians, and sound engineers must be present at every performance to ensure everything runs smoothly. The orchestra, along with Hicks, faces the challenge of delivering a fresh experience to each audience, regardless of their fatigue from repeated performances. “It doesn’t matter how tired we are. It has to feel new every time,” Hicks remarked, emphasizing the importance of creating a magical atmosphere.

Despite the extensive work involved, the team expresses genuine enthusiasm for the holiday season. Hicks reflected on the joy of bringing people together through music, stating, “This is a time when people come together. For me, that’s so gratifying, to be able to provide that.”

The Cleveland Orchestra’s Holiday Concerts promise to be a remarkable blend of music, festive spirit, and community celebration. Tickets range from $49 to $165, with performances scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on December 13 and 14, and additional shows throughout the week. For more details, visit the Cleveland Orchestra’s official website or contact their box office.