Arts & Entertainment

Deck the Halls with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra: Seasonal Music in November and December 2024

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO) invites you to celebrate the holiday season with a range of music programs, from audience-curated shows to holiday music performed by both orchestral and choral musicians.

November 2024

Launched by the VSO in 2017, Jukebox is VSO’s chamber music series where audiences experience amazing music in relaxed, informal, and innovative environments. Previous Jukebox concert attendees entered a drawing to select their favorite tunes to be performed at VSO’s November concerts. Six lucky winners were chosen, and VSO’s Jukebox quartet will perform their choices from Stevie Wonder’s Signed Sealed Delivered to the Turtle Island String Quartet’s Spider Dreams. The quartet features VSO musicians Brooke Quiggins-Saulnier and Jane Kittredge, violin; Stefanie Taylor, viola; and John Dunlop, cello. Hosted by Matt LaRocca.

Performance Details:

Concert title: Jukebox: With a Little Help from Our Friends

  • November 14, 2024 at The Hayloft at Artistree in South Pomfret, 7:00-8:00 PM
  • November 15, 2024 at ArtsRiot in Burlington, 7:30-8:30 PM
  • November 16, 2024 at Paramount Theatre in Rutland, 7:00-8:00 PM

The South Pomfret performance is produced with Artistree Community Arts Center, Theatre & Gallery, and the Rutland performance is produced with The Paramount Theatre. Northfield Savings Bank is a sponsor of Jukebox.

December 2024

In early December, VSO presents its annual family-favorite event: Holiday Pops, featuring the 80-voice VSO Chorus this year. The program celebrates the holidays with music both contemplative and joyful, leaving audiences with a song in their hearts and the warmth of the season. The performance features selections from Handel’s Messiah to Anderson’s much-loved Sleigh Ride, Spanish-influenced holiday tunes, and traditional carols with audience sing-a-longs.

VSO is partnering with food shelves in each of the three concert communities: Hedding United Methodist Church Food Shelf for Barre, South Burlington Food Shelf for Burlington, and Black River Good Neighbor Services for Rutland. Audience members are encouraged to bring canned food items to performance locations, and local volunteers will deliver all donated items to the various food shelves. Over 700 lbs. of food were donated by audience members at VSO’s 2023 Holiday Pops concerts.

Performance Details:

Concert title: Holiday Pops with the Counterpoint Chorus

  • December 6, 2024 at Barre Opera House in Barre, 7:30-9:30 PM
  • December 7, 2024 at The Flynn in Burlington, 7:30-9:30 PM
  • December 8, 2024 at Paramount Theatre in Rutland, 3:00-5:00 PM

In mid-December, VSO also presents four performances by its Brass Quintet in collaboration with Counterpoint, a Montpelier-based choral chamber music group. The program features a mix of sacred and secular holiday tunes, and includes a world-premiere performance from Music-COMP student Harrison Brown, a Stowe High School senior. 

The December 12 performance is dedicated to the memory of Virginia Roth, a passionate music lover and supporter of the holiday concerts in Warren, Vermont, for many years.

Performance Details:

Concert title: Brass Quintet and Counterpoint Chorus

  • December 12, 2024 at Warren United Church in Warren, 7:00-9:00 PM
  • December 13, 2024 at United Church of Newport in Newport, 7:00-9:00 PM
  • December 14, 2024 at Grafton Community Church in Grafton, 5:00-7:00 PM
  • December 15, 2024 at Manchester First Congregational Church in Manchester, 4:00-6:00 PM

Information and tickets for these concerts can be found at vso.org/events.

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