The Maryland Symphony Orchestra Presents Annual Home for the Holidays Concerts

HAGERSTOWN, Md. – December 11, 2017 – Music Director Elizabeth Schulze and The Maryland Symphony Orchestra will kick off the holiday season in the quad-state region with its annual Home for the Holidays concerts on Saturday December 16 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 17 at 3:00 p.m. at the historic Maryland Theatre. Tickets range from $20 - $50 and are available at marylandsymphony.org or by calling 301-797-4000.

For nearly two decades, the MSO’s Home for the Holidays concerts have become the area’s favorite holiday tradition with families and friends gathering to listen to the magical sounds of Christmas that are sure to fill hearts and souls with goodwill throughout the rest of the Season.

This year’s special guests will be Broadway vocalist Darius de Haas, the Hagerstown Choral Arts, the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Choir, and Santa Claus who will lead audience members in the popular yuletide sing-along! Musical highlights include “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” “First Noel,” selections from the Nutcracker Suite, “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and “Sleigh Ride.”

A unique and versatile artist, Darius de Haas enjoys a multifaceted career as an award-winning, widely acclaimed, popular singer and actor. Born and raised on Chicago's South Side, with a musical legacy as the son of jazz bassist, Eddie de Haas (whose sideman credits range from Chet Baker to Peter, Paul, and Mary) and singer Geraldine Bey de Haas (formerly of the group Andy and the Bey Sisters), he has proven successful as a performer ranging from the Broadway stage to concert venues throughout the world.

He made his Broadway debut in Kiss of the Spiderwoman, followed by Lincoln Center's revival of Carousel, Rent, The Gershwins’ Fascinating Rhythm, Marie Christine, the 20th anniversary concert of Dreamgirls and Hair, and City Center’s Encores Broadway Bash. His championing of new musical works has enabled him to introduce and/or record songs written by, among others, Stephen Schwartz, William Finn, Ricky Ian Gordon, Diedre Murray, Michael John LaChiusa, Adam Guettel, Kirsten Childs, and John Adams. Notable Off-Broadway, regional, touring and premiere credits include his Obie winning leading performance in the Pulitzer nominated Running Man (Music-Theater Group), Cain in Children of Eden (Papermill Playhouse), Saturn Returns (Public Theater), Cry The Beloved Country (Goodman Theater), The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin (Playwrights Horizons), Once On This Island (1st National Tour), the opera I Was Looking At The Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky, and starred as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar- Gospel at the Alliance Theater. Other premieres include Best Of Both Worlds at Boston's ART and A Star Across The Ocean for New York City Opera Vox Festival.

His stature as a solo artist was launched with his two highly acclaimed concert tributes (to Billy Strayhorn and Stevie Wonder) for Lincoln Center's American Songbook Series. His singular abilities and range in popular music, jazz, musical theater and art song have established him as a performer in a variety of settings as well as guest with several orchestras including the National Symphony, The Cincinnati Pops, The Philly Pops, The Los Angeles Master Chorale and Luckman Jazz Orchestra, The New York Festival of Song, The Moab Music Festival, and The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater's 50th Gala Celebration. In addition to sharing the stage with such luminaries as Elvis Costello, Deborah Harry, Oleta Adams, Michael Feinstein, Marvin Hamlisch, Roberta Flack, and his uncle- legendary jazz vocalist Andy Bey, Darius has been a special guest and opening act for Vanessa Williams on her concert tours playing all around the country as well as in Egypt and Japan. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, London’s Royal Festival Hall, LA's Disney Concert Hall, The Kennedy Center, Town Hall, Lincoln Center, Constitution Hall, and St. John the Divine and is a staple at such New York venues as Birdland and Joe's Pub. Other notable performances include the concerts "Too Hot To Handel" at Carnegie Hall (conducted by Marin Alsop) and Duke Ellington's Sacred Concert of Music at Disney Concert Hall, and numerous solo concerts at venues across the country.

The Hagerstown Choral Arts was founded in 1993 and is currently under the direction of Gregory Shook, one of the founders.  With 50 members in its debut season, HCA continues to grow in size, skills and a variety of musical offerings.  Each year the group furthers its goal of increasing awareness and appreciation of music in the community by collaborating with local organizations, performing arts groups and other musicians.  HCA performs at least two major concerts per year with repertoire ranging from classical works to lighter pop songs.

The Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Choir has gained both regional and national attention for their exceptional level of musicianship. All choir members are enrolled in the Vocal Music program at the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts (BISFA) in downtown Hagerstown. The vocal music program at Barbara Ingram School for the Arts provides comprehensive preparation in vocal music. Students participate in a variety of performance ensembles; receive weekly private lessons, and study music theory and literature. All students study piano, music technology and conducting. The students participate in numerous Master Classes and have the opportunity to perform both individually and in ensembles such as the choir.

Tickets for the concert range from $20 to $50. To purchase tickets, call 301-797-4000 or go online at www.marylandsymphony.org.  Tickets may also be purchased at the MSO Box Office at 30 W. Washington Street, Hagerstown. The Maryland Theatre is located at 21 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown.

Home for the Holidays is made possible through the generosity of our sponsors including M&T Bank, Electromet Corporation and David McCain, Younger Motorcars, Antietam Cable Television, and the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for events can be purchased online at www.marylandsymphony.org; in person at the Maryland Symphony Orchestra Administrative Offices located at 30 W Washington St, Hagerstown, MD 21740 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday); or by calling the Box Office at 301-797-4000 during normal business hours. Group Rates are available for groups of ten or more. A discounted “Flex” subscription package (three or more concerts) is also available by calling the Box Office.

VENUE INFORMATION

Built in 1915, designed by renowned architect Thomas Lamb, the Maryland Theatre is the anchor to the Arts & Entertainment district in downtown Hagerstown. The Theatre provides comfortable seating for 1,300 at performances of country artists, comedians, children's shows, recitals, stage shows, and more. Since 1982, the Theatre has been the official home of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra. The Maryland Theatre welcomes approximately 120,000 people through her doors annually. The Maryland Theatre is located at 21 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740.

ABOUT MARYLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Founded in 1982, Maryland Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 36th season as the area’s premier professional orchestra.  Under the musical direction of Maestra Elizabeth Schulze, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to providing musical performances that educate and entertain, while enhancing the cultural environment of Western Maryland and the surrounding region. Learn more: www.marylandsymphony.org

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MEDIA CONTACT

Michael Harp
Maryland Symphony Orchestra
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
301-797-4001
mharp@marylandsymphony.org