Get Your Holidays On! Warwick Symphony Orchestra Classical and Christmas features Kelly Bates, narrator

The Warwick Sympony Orchestra opens their 59^th Season with a performance of classical and holiday works by the 60+ member symphony, led by Guest Conductor ANN DANIS, and welcoming KELLY BATES as narrator for a beloved holiday classic tale.

The concert is Sunday, December 14th at 3pm at St. Bernard Church, 275 Tower Hill Road in North Kingstown, RI.

The program will include:

Colas Breugnon Overture by Dimitry Kabalevsky

T’was the Night Before Christmas – Clement Moore poem by Bill Holcombe, narrated by KELLY BATES

Concert Suite from “The Polar Express” by Alan Silvestri/Brubaker, arr.

Symphony No. 5 – Finale by Ludwig van Beethoven

Ann DANIS, guest conductor – served for more than 30 years as the Director of Orchestral Activities at the University of Rhode Island. She is Professor Emeritus of Violin and Viola, has been an integral influencer of string educators throughout the region, advocate for string education, and a performer of orchestral and chamber music throughout New England. Ann has been involved in the WSO for more than 10 years, performing as part of the viola and violin sections and assumed the role of guest conductor this fall.

Kelly BATES, guest narrator – is a longtime Rhode Island meteorologist who has spent more than two decades bringing weather, science, and smiles to local audiences. She is a two-time Emmy nominated meteorologist and a favorite of readers of Rhode Island Monthly magazine for 9 years. A graduate of Lyndon (VT) State College, she holds a degree in Television Broadcast Communications with studies in Broadcast Meteorology with seals of approval from both the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society.

A familiar face to viewers across Southern New England, she brings both her signature warmth and enthusiasm to this special holiday performance with the Warwick Symphony Orchestra.

This concert is fully accessible to all audiences and parking is plentiful and free. Tickets at: wsori.org/performances or at the door; $20 General, $15 Seniors & Students, Free children 12 and under. The concert is a fully accessible performance.

Who is the WSO?                                                                                                                    

Established in 1966 by George Low as a continuing education opportunity through the Warwick Public Schools, the WSO is a non-profit regional orchestra with a diverse membership.  Catherine Gagnon is WSO’s fifth Music Director, and under her guidance, the WSO presents about eight concerts annually.  With accessible programs WSO presents music representing the changing interests of our community including pops selections, the music of film and Broadway, popular works, and traditional orchestral repertoire.  WSO strives to balance concerts with pieces that are recognizable along with those that can develop our audience’s understanding of and appreciation for classical and contemporary music.  WSO is also always accepting new members; interested parties can obtain further information by contacting us at WSOri.org.

WSO’s Mission & Vision

Warwick Symphony Orchestra (WSO) serves audiences and musicians by bringing classical and orchestral pops performances to communities across Rhode Island. As a regional volunteer symphony, the WSO seeks to deliver high-quality live music and affordable performances to diverse communities. WSO ensures accessibility and appeals to a wide-ranging audience of varied backgrounds through programming that seamlessly shifts between classical and orchestral pops.

WSO values our role in the fabric of the musical community of Rhode Island performing in both traditional and unconventional spaces.  Our expanding membership of amateur adults, high school and college students, retired professionals, music educators, and life-long learners are dedicated to the social, spiritual, and cognitive benefits of presenting and attending live performances.

The WSO aims to provide an outlet for continued musical development for all our participants, serve as an artistic asset within our community, develop and diversify our audiences through a variety of programs and collaborative partnerships with both musical and non-musical organizations including charities, non-profits, and service agencies.  Our membership believes that music brings people together, and a concert can be more than just a concert.