December 6th, 2021
Mankato, MN — The Mankato Symphony is proud to present its holiday symphonic concert on Sunday, December 19, 3:00pm, at Ted Paul Theatre in the Early Center for the Performing Arts, Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Bring the whole family to this heartwarming holiday event. The Academy Award-nominated holiday film, The Snowman, based on Raymond Briggs’ beloved classic book is brought to life with full orchestra. The Mankato Symphony will perform Howard Blake’s beautiful score to the animated film, featuring the much-loved song Walking in the Air. Pianist Beth Winterfeldt and boy soprano Chase Breuer will solo with the MSO. The MSO will also perform holiday classics from The Nutcracker, along with A Christmas Festival, Sleigh Ride, and Polonaise from Christmas Eve. “There will be fun opportunities for children to have their picture taken with a costumed Snowman and there will also be Snowman cookies for sale at intermission.” says MSO Executive Director Bethel Balge.
Guest conductor, Maestro Stephen Radcliffe, has conducted leading orchestras throughout the United States, Canada, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latin America, Africa, and China. He has also been widely heard in annual broadcasts over National Public Radio. A prize winner of the 1988 Toscanini International Conductor’s Competition, Radcliffe was a student of Leonard Bernstein. Radcliffe is the second of four conductors lined up to work with the Mankato Symphony as part of an audition process to become Mankato Symphony’s permanent conductor.
“The Mankato Symphony’s search for a conductor was put on hold through the Covid pandemic, so now we are eager to finally meet and see our conductor candidates in action. By mid-March of 2022, we should know who our next conductor will be. This will be an exciting moment for everyone, especially our musicians.” says Bethel Balge.
The Snowman is sponsored by the Carl & Verna Schmidt Foundation and the Kay & Lyle Jacobson Family Fund of the Mankato Area Foundation.
Tickets for The Snowman concert may be purchased online at MankatoSymphony.org or by phoning the box office at 507-933-0441.