Both pops and classical music aficionados will love the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra’s Dec. 7 concert, 8 pm at Ridgefield High School. There will be sixteen pieces: 9 for singer, 6 orchestral only, and one for orchestra and a chorus of Ridgefield 4th and 5th graders.
The guest soloist is Jessica Medoff, a versatile vocalist who has sung all over the United States. She has had major roles in opera (Carmen, La bohème, Faust) and musical theater (Sound of Music, Wizard of Oz, Carousel), as well as Pops experience (Breckenridge and Aspen Music Festivals, New Haven Symphony), cabaret shows, and appearances with orchestras in Carnegie Hall.
Ms. Medoff will be singing O Holy Night, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, White Christmas, two humorous songs (The Dieter’s Prayer and Santa Baby), and three non-American selections: Tu scendi dalle stelle (famous Italian carol), Father of Heaven (from Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus), and I Saw Three Ships (famous English carol). She will also sing Mary’s Lullaby, composed by Orchestra executive director Gina Wilson and repeatedly performed at St. Stephen’s Church.
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Orchestra pieces include Leroy Anderson’s A Christmas Festival and Sleigh Ride; Bill Holcombe’s Christmas Wishes and Christmas Jazz Suite; March of the Toys from Herbert’s Babes in Toyland; and Corelli’s Christmas Concerto.
The chorus will sing Jingle Bell Rock, first made famous by Bobby Helms’ 1957 version. Dr. Nora Marrinan, a music faculty member at Farmingville elementary school, auditioned 70 4th–5th graders and chose 29 for this special ensemble. The children deliver a polished performance sure to please!
