New York, NY (Top40 Charts) The Mesquite Symphony Orchestra will pool the talents of its musicians with more than 120 children from the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and the Grapevine High School choir to bring the nostalgia of Christmas morning to audiences with concerts set for Dec. 15 at the Mesquite Arts Center. The program will feature traditional sing-a-longs, classics and more recent selections made popular as part of movie scores. Tickets are reasonably priced at $6 for children and $12 for adults.
While some might see the combination of adult and youth musical groups as unique, Mesquite has a well-known and award-winning legacy of offering youth the opportunity to grow beyond traditional performance venues available to students. The Mesquite Symphony Orchestra, a volunteer ensemble created to bring pride and community to Mesquite and surrounding areas through music, has included student musicians since its inception in 1986.
Players in the symphony span across generations, from high school students to senior enthusiasts. This dynamic leads to the passing of knowledge and skill from one generation to the next.
This history has been recognized as a best practice. In 2018, the
National Association of
Music Merchants (NAMM) honored Mesquite as of one of the Best Communities for
Music Education. The designation recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded curriculum and community.
For Maestro Felix Torres, the upcoming holiday concert is a step in the right direction when it comes to advocating for music education and getting students and others involved with the symphony.
"We are always welcoming of talented and hard-working musicians of any age, and we currently have players from Mesquite Independent School District performing with us," Torres said. "We have the opportunity to develop and hone what the symphony sound will be. It is also a chance for us to continue growing, not only in numbers on stage, but in the audience, and our reach to the community."
In addition, those who attend the holiday concerts will have the opportunity to see Mesquite's concert hall. Tucked away in the Mesquite Arts Center, the venue is a favorite of the new Mesquite Arts Center manager, Cohn Drennan.
"The Mesquite Symphony Orchestra has been such an important catalyst for the arts in Mesquite," Drennan said, continuing, "…this beautiful concert hall at the Mesquite Arts Center was created in 1996 to provide the symphony with a permanent venue to perform for North
Texas audiences," he concluded.
The "Holiday Celebration" concerts of Dec. 15 are scheduled for 5:30 and 7 p.m. at the Mesquite Arts Center, 1527 N. Galloway. Staying true to its mission of providing affordable entertainment that brings the community together, ticket prices begin at $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $6 for children. For a full list of shows, ticket prices, and purchasing, please visit www.mesquitesymphony.org.
