Programs include Ellington & The Nutcracker, A Charlie Brown Christmas: Cyrus Chestnut and Friends, Let it Snow!, Noel Night, Home for the Holidays, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and Leslie Odom, Jr.: The Christmas Tour
Tickets on sale now at dso.org
Give the gift of music: DSO Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale runs November 29–December 2, offering $25 Main Floor tickets to select concerts; $15 tickets to all William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series performances
Detroit, (November 14, 2024) – This December, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) will host a variety of holiday themed performances at Orchestra Hall. From the PVS Classical Series to film concert experiences and a one-night-only Paradise Jazz Series performance, the DSO provides opportunities for everyone to make cherished holiday memories with loved ones.
The DSO is also excited to announce a Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale, which will run from November 29 at 12 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. on December 2. The offer includes $25 Main Floor tickets to select concerts including The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Rite of Spring, At Last! A Tribute to Etta James, Broadway Love Songs, La Vida Loca, and Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto, plus $15 tickets to all William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series performances.
On December 6–8, Music Director Jader Bignamini will kick off the holiday celebrations as he conducts Ellington & The Nutcracker. The program will include familiar selections from Tchaikovsky’s beloved The Nutcracker Suite, followed by a jazz-infused rendition from Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn (arranged by past DSO Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik). This performance will also feature Carlos Simon's Four Black American Dances and soloist Ray Chen performing Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto. Performances will take place on Friday, December 6 at 10:45 a.m., Saturday, December 7 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, December 8 at 3 p.m. in Orchestra Hall. The December 7 performance will be webcast for free on dso.org as a part of the DSO’s Live from Orchestra Hall series. Tickets for this performance start at $20.
The swinging spirit of the holidays continues with A Charlie Brown Christmas: Cyrus Chestnut and Friends on December 6 at 8 p.m. in Orchestra Hall. Cyrus Chestnut will infuse Vince Guaraldi’s classic score from A Charlie Brown Christmas with his signature blend of virtuosic swing and warm gospel sound. Tickets for this performance start at $25.
Families are invited to create lasting musical traditions on December 7 with Joe Reilly Music and Let it Snow!. At 10 a.m. in the Peter D. and Julie F. Cummings Cube (“The Cube”; located within the DSO’s Midtown Campus of the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center), Joe Reilly will lead an interactive performance for young children. Following this performance, join the orchestra for Let it Snow! at 11 a.m. in Orchestra Hall. Frosty and friends will take the whole family on a snow-filled musical adventure. Tickets for Joe Reilly Music begin at $13, and tickets for Let it Snow! begin at $16.
On Saturday, December 7 at 6 p.m., the DSO will once again partner with Midtown Detroit, Inc., community partners, and businesses to celebrate Noel Night, a Cultural Center-wide holiday open house that presents free activities including holiday shopping, family craft activities, and performances by area music, theater, and dance groups. In the Peter D. and Julie F. Cummings Cube (“The Cube”; located within the DSO’s Midtown Campus of the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center), audiences will enjoy performances at 6 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. by Audivi, Detroit’s professional vocal ensemble directed by Noah Horn, in a program of holiday music. Please note: the DSO does not appear on this performance.
The following weekend, Detroit’s favorite holiday tradition returns to the PNC Pops Series with Home for the Holidays. Principal Pops Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez will lead the DSO in a heartwarming celebration of Christmas and Hanukkah classics, and more. The performances will take place on Friday, December 13 at 10:45 a.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday, December 14 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, December 15 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Orchestra Hall. Tickets for these performances start at $29.
As the holiday season progresses, the DSO will be visited by Scrooge, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, and the beloved Muppets. The Muppet Christmas Carol retells the legendary story of A Christmas Carol with the dynamic Muppet crew. The DSO will play Miles Goodman’s original score alongside the film, conducted by Nathan Aspinall. Performances will take place on Friday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 21 at 3 p.m. in Orchestra Hall. Tickets start at $49.
Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts.
The grand finale of the DSO’s December holiday celebration is Leslie Odom, Jr.: The Christmas Tour. Grammy® and Tony award-winning Broadway star Leslie Odom, Jr. will dazzle audiences with Christmas, Broadway, and popular hits conducted by Nathan Aspinall. This one-night-only performance is on Sunday, December 22 at 7 p.m. in Orchestra Hall. Tickets for this performance start at $20.
Tickets for these performances can be purchased at dso.org or by calling the Box Office at 313.576.5111, open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Noel Night activities in The Cube are free and open to the public, no ticket reservation is required.
Visit dso.org/holiday for full holiday programming information.
The title sponsor of the DSO’s Classical Series is PVS Chemicals, Inc. DSO Live is presented by Ford Philanthropy. Technology support comes from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Digital programming is produced from the Al Glancy Control Room. The title sponsor of the DSO’s PNC Pops Series is PNC Bank. The Young People’s Family Concert Series is supported by Sun Communities. Programming in The Cube is made possible with support from Peter D. and Julie F. Cummings.
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PVS Classical Series
Friday, December 6 at 10:45 a.m.
Saturday, December 7 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 8 at 3 p.m.
Orchestra Hall
Jader Bignamini, conductor
Ray Chen, violin
Music Director Jader Bignamini gets us into the holiday spirit with not one, but two Nutcrackers. Tchaikovsky’s ballet music is a beloved favorite, and Duke Ellington really makes it swing. Grammy Award nominee Carlos Simon puts dance at the heart of celebration and guest soloist Ray Chen’s “joy in music making is palpable” (Los Angeles Times) throughout Barber’s Violin Concerto.
CARLOS SIMON Four Black American Dances
SAMUEL BARBER Violin Concerto
PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY Selections from The Nutcracker Suite
TCHAIKOVSKY/ELLINGTON/STRAYHORN (ARR. TYZIK) The Nutcracker Suite
Paradise Jazz Series
Friday, December 6 at 8 p.m.
Orchestra Hall
Cyrus Chestnut, piano and vocals
Begin your holiday season with Vince Guaraldi's classic score from A Charlie Brown Christmas. Virtuosic and playful pianist Cyrus Chestnut infuses these classic charts with his soulful sound. Hear all your favorites: "Linus and Lucy," "Christmas Time is Here," "O Tannenbaum," and more!
A masterful jazz pianist, Cyrus Chestnut balances his dexterous technical skill with a robust, soulful style that speaks to his deep gospel roots and love of swinging hard bop. Raised in the church, he learned how to infuse his swinging, classically trained style with a warm gospel sound.
Please note: Program duration and the inclusion of an intermission are subject to change depending on the program.
Tiny Tots
Saturday, December 7 at 10 a.m.
The Cube
Hear fun, imaginative, and interactive performances designed for children ages 2-6. Enjoy up-close and personal performances in the DSO's Cube as audiences sing, dance, and enjoy a morning full of musical fun—all before naptime!
NOEL NIGHT
Saturday, December 7 at 6 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.
The Cube
Audivi with Noah Horn, director
Please note: the DSO does not appear on this performance.
Young Peoples Family Concerts Series
Saturday, December 7 at 11 a.m.
Orchestra Hall
The weather outside may be frightful, but the orchestra is so delightful! Get in the spirit of the winter season as Frosty and friends take you over the hills and through a snow-filled musical adventure.
PNC Pops Series
Friday, December 13 at 10:45 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 14 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 15 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Orchestra Hall
Enrico Lopez-Yañez, conductor
Gather the family for one of the best holiday traditions in Detroit! The DSO and special guests play all your favorites inside warm and wonderful Orchestra Hall. Make the season bright and create memories of a lifetime everyone can share.
Special Event
Friday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 21 at 3 p.m.
Orchestra Hall
Nathan Aspinall, conductor
When the grumpy Scrooge receives Christmas Eve visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, they show him the error of his self-serving ways. Though the miserable old man seems beyond any hope of redemption and happiness, the kind and humble Bob Cratchit, his family, and the Spirits open Scrooge's eyes—and his heart—to the true meaning of Christmas. Celebrate the holidays with The Muppets' beloved retelling of this holiday classic and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra playing Miles Goodman’s (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Little Shop of Horrors) original score alongside the film.
Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts.
Special Event
Sunday, December 22 at 7 p.m.
Orchestra Hall
Lesie Odom, Jr., voice
Nathan Aspinall, conductor
Broadway star Leslie Odom, Jr. joins the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for a special evening of Christmas, Broadway, and popular hits. The Grammy® and Tony award winner—renowned for his performance in the original cast of Hamilton—will light up Orchestra Hall with his vocal prowess and charisma to celebrate the holiday season.
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About the DSO
The acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra is known for trailblazing performances, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and a deep connection to its city. Led by Music Director Jader Bignamini since 2020, the DSO makes its home at historic Orchestra Hall within the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, offering a performance schedule that features the PVS Classical, PNC Pops, Paradise Jazz, and Young People’s Family Concert series. In addition, the DSO presents the William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series in metro area venues, as well as eclectic multi-genre performances in its mid-size venue The Cube, constructed and curated with support from Peter D. & Julie F. Cummings. A dedication to broadcast innovation began in 1922, when the DSO became the first orchestra in the world to present a live radio broadcast of a concert and continues today with the groundbreaking Live from Orchestra Hall series of free webcasts.
Since its first school concerts a century ago, and particularly since the founding of the Civic Youth Ensembles in 1970, the DSO has been a national leader in bringing the benefits of music education to students, teachers, and families in Detroit and surrounding communities. The DSO remains committed to expanding its participation in the growth and well-being of Detroit through programs like its Detroit Neighborhood Initiative—cultural events co-created with community partners and residents—and Detroit Harmony, a promise to provide an instrument and instruction to any student in the city who wants to learn. With unwavering support from the people of Detroit, the DSO actively pursues a mission to impact lives through the power of unforgettable musical experiences.