The South Carolina Philharmonic invites you to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit with their spectacular presentation, “Home for the Holidays,” on December 21 at 7 pm at the Koger Center for the Arts. Under the skilled baton of Music Director Morihiko Nakahara, this event promises an evening of enchanting music, dance, and festive cheer.
In its 45th annual edition, the “Home for the Holidays” concert has become a beloved tradition, and this year, it moves to the grand stage of the Koger Center for the Arts for one night only. The concert is a creative collaboration between Music Director Morihiko Nakahara and director Chad Henderson, the former Artistic Director of Trustus Theatre and current Marketing Director of the SC Phil.
The concert will feature a stellar lineup of performers, including singers Kanika Moore (Doom Flamingo, Tauk), Katie Leitner (Say Femme), Catherine Hunsinger (Rex Darling), and Samuel McWhite. Adding an extra layer of visual delight, the Columbia Repertory Dance Company, led by Artistic Director Stephanie Wilkins and Managing Director Bonnie Boiter-Jolley, will grace the stage with emotional and athletic dance performances.
“We wanted to create a large-scale concert event due to our move to the Koger Center,” explained director Chad Henderson. “Audiences are going to get a traditional orchestral experience in the first act, and then in the second half, we’re going to enjoy the alchemy of multi-disciplinary work with uplifting, moving and energetic performances from amazing singers and dancers alongside the SC Phil.”
The concert’s diverse program will include arrangements by Dick Goodwin, a renowned jazz artist and composer. Expect to be enchanted by classics such as “All I Want for Christmas,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” and holiday favorites like “White Christmas” and “Santa Claus is Back in Town.” The evening will also feature readings of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and the famous editorial by Francis Church, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”
Director Chad Henderson expressed the desire for audiences to have a rich and fulfilling experience. “We want people to feel a range of emotions while they’re with us. We’re using the undeniable universality of music, dance, and, at times, theatre to provide audiences with a joyful evening that will be uplifting, energizing, and powerful.”
Tickets for this enchanting holiday concert range from $10 to $40 and can be purchased at scphilharmonic.com or by calling the Koger Center Box Office at 803-251-2222. Student Rush tickets are available for $10 starting thirty minutes before the concert, and group rates for 10 or more are available by contacting kathryn@scphilharmonic.com.
This magical evening is sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of SC and Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, with additional support from the City of Columbia H-Tax Grant Program, the Richland County H-Tax Grant Program, and the South Carolina Arts Commission.
Don’t miss the chance to make this enchanting concert a part of your holiday celebrations. Join the SC Philharmonic for “Home for the Holidays” and revel in the joy of the season!
