Connie Shakalis, HT Columnist
For the past five years, violinist and conductor Alejandro Gómez Guillén has served as artistic director and conductor of the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, which is busy preparing for three holiday performances.
I happened to catch his “Wade in the Water: Exploring Florence Price’s Symphony No. 4 & Art Songs” last month, and let me tell you this musician can galvanize an orchestra. The concert and readings with singing (by Marquese Carter) immobilized me. I woke up thinking about that program for days afterward (and being mad that Florence Price’s works had remained tucked away for many years because the composer was not only a woman but Black). In 1933, Price became the first Black woman to have a composition performed by a major U.S. orchestra in this country.
Guillén’s work toward his doctorate includes a critical edition of Colombian composer Jorge Pinzón’s violin concerto, and bringing dances from Bach’s orchestral suites — in their original style — to emerging orchestras. He stuck to history in his approach so that modern instruments could produce the appropriate sound.
For the holidays, Bloomington Symphony Orchestra’s “Celebrate the Season” show returns with themes of peace and thanksgiving. At both the Buskirk-Chumley Theater and the Brown County Music Center, audiences will hear “Sleigh Ride” as well as new music. No sing-alongs this year, however, due to COVID-19.
“Maybe it’s all about baking cookies and sipping hot chocolate,” Guillén said. Regardless of the season’s reason, he expressed joy that people are choosing to share it with the orchestra.
The pieces highlight aspects of winter, with diverse points of view — and dancing by members of MotionArts Academy and its director, Kristin Iovino.
“We will also share music from the Jewish-American diaspora with the traditional ‘Ma’oz Tzur’ and amazing writing talents in Schönberg’s ‘Les Misérables’ and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘The Sound of Music.'”
Versions of “Carol of the Bells” and “Greensleeves” offer surprises, and there will be music from classic movies such as “Miracle on 34th Street,” “Home Alone,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and some Dr. Seuss. Even “Frozen” gets a turn.
In downtown Bloomington at the Buskirk-Chumley, the group will perform both before and after the lighting of the Canopy of Lights on the Friday after Thanksgiving. The two family-friendly shows frame downtown’s street twinkling: first comes the shorter concert, featuring a North Pole visitor. Next is the orchestra’s expanded show, which will livestream; tickets for this will be available soon.
The Dec. 11 show is at the Brown County Music Center.
“We did a previous holiday show at the Music Center two years ago, but COVID-19 made last year impossible,” said Donna Lafferty, the orchestra’s executive director. “That venue is gorgeous, the acoustics are remarkably good, and wow, it’s so professional.”
Dancing, singing, storytelling and you-know-who will rule. This time, it’s not all about the instruments.
“It’s nice to share the spotlight with our friends, particularly with our holiday shows,” Lafferty said.
And it’s not just about Christmas.
“This is a chance for us to showcase other holiday traditions.”
Lafferty enjoys holiday cooking and spending time with her “cute husband and cats.”
And when kindergartners start break-dancing to “Sleigh Ride,” she knows the orchestra has done it again.
If you go
- WHAT: “Celebrate the Season,” Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, three shows at two locations.
- WHERE: 114 E. Kirkwood Ave.
- WHEN: 5:30 and 8 p.m, Friday, Nov. 26.
- TICKETS: BCT Box Office, bctboxoffice.org, 812-323-3020. Vaccine verification or negative COVID-19 test results within 48 hours required to enter the venue.
BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER SHOW
- WHERE: 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., Nashville.
- WHEN: 7-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11.
- TICKETS:browncountymusiccenter.com or ticketmaster.com, 812-988-5323. Vaccine verification or negative COVID-19 test results within 48 hours required to enter the venue.
- MORE: bloomingtonsymphony.com.