It took a joint effort to conduct the Westmoreland Symphony’s annual “Home for the Holidays” concert, on Dec. 17 at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg.
WSO Artistic Director Daniel Meyer was leading the Pittsburgh Symphony’s Highmark Holiday Pops concert that night, so he invited guest conductor Andres Franco to the podium.
Franco, a former PSO resident conductor and current executive director of City of Asylum in Pittsburgh, also called in reinforcements.
Santa Claus hopped on stage to conduct one number, while Norwin School District students Austin Bobby and Adele Brown stepped in for another — although they waved giant candy canes instead of batons.
Adding vocals were members of the All-Star Choir of Westmoreland County, comprising students from county high schools, and the Pitt-Greensburg Chorale, in its first “Home for the Holidays” appearance.
Audience members also joined in a singalong.
The program was a lively mix of holiday favorites from various traditions, some with a jazzy touch, ranging from “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” to the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “Messiah.”
Other numbers included familiar selections from “The Nutcracker”; John Williams’ “Merry, Merry Christmas” from the movie, “Home Alone”; and “Hanukkah Festival Overture.”
Santa added a note of levity, telling Franco that he no longer goes down chimneys: “I have Claus-trophobia.”
Featured soloist on “O Holy Night” was Mariella Slatter, a soprano in the Pitt-Greensburg Chorale, which is directed by Christopher Bartley. A freshman international student from Cambridge, England, Slatter was selected by audition.
WSO Executive Director Natalie Kasievich welcomed audience members.
Seen: Teresa Whitacre and Paul Lytle, Jim and Pam Proudfit, Tambri Iriti, Lara Chensny, Kathy and Ron Brown, Karen and Jason Barnhart, Jacqui and Ted Stasiak, Diane and Chuck Boyer, Jess and Joan Stairs, Dr. George and Linda Austin, Dennis and Barbara Yates, Mark and Darlene Jedd, Theresa Kappel, Romayne Breniser, David and Sandra Wolk Schimizzi, Michael and Melissa Bryan, Pete and Marian Kovalchik, Jim and Karen O’Connor, Gay Wasserman, Jen Sausman and Michael Matrunics.
