November 4, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … A special Holiday Gift Card offered by the Oregon Symphony makes live symphonic music available as holiday gifts for family and friends. Patrons may use these Gift Cards to purchase any of the Symphony’s three holiday concerts, which offer listeners a wide range of musical styles including Gospel, Pops and classical. In addition, each Gift Card may be also redeemed for two tickets to any of this season’s Classical or Pops concerts or four tickets for a Front Row Center, Sundays at Two or Kids concert.
The Symphony’s 2005 holiday concerts feature the much-anticipated return of Gospel Christmas and Yuletide Celebration, as well as a Classical concert. Gospel Christmas, on Dec. 9, 10 and 11 presents an evening of joyful holiday celebration featuring Guest Conductor Charles Floyd and vocalist Micah Stampley. These concerts, now in their seventh year, are always audience favorites and will likely sell out. “Gospel Christmas concerts are already $10,000 ahead of sales at this time last year,” says Vice President of Marketing Sandra Snyder. “I would advise anyone who wants to attend to purchase their tickets now.” Media support is provided by KINK fm102, with further support from the Heathman Hotel.
This year’s Yuletide Celebration, on Dec. 17, 18 and 19, features an all-new program that combines entertaining music, humorous theatrical skits and dazzling costumes with the return of several holiday favorites, including the chorus line of tap-dancing Santas. The cast of singers, actors and dancers hosted by the Oregonian’s Margie Boulé and directed by Vivienne Elborne are drawn exclusively from local talent. This family-friendly entertainment is also more affordable, with half-price tickets available for children 12 and under in selected seating areas for both Sunday performances. Media support is provided by KINK fm102, KGW Northwest Newschannel 8 and Oregon Business Magazine.
Fans of classical music can begin the holiday season with Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5, as guest conductor Hannu Lintu leads the symphony in a Classical concert that also features the Symphony premiere of Samuel Barber’s “Die natali, Chorale Preludes for Christmas” on Dec. 3, 4 and 5. Media support for the Symphony’s holiday concerts is provided by The Oregonian. The Dec. 4 evening performance is sponsored by Eschelon Telecom, while the Dec. 4 afternoon performance, part of the Symphony’s new Sunday Encore series, is supported in part by grants from the Jackson Foundation and the Oregon Cultural Trust, investing in Oregon’s arts, humanities and heritage. Lufthansa is the exclusive airline for the Symphony’s Classical series.
The Symphony’s Holiday Gift Card, introduced last season, is a convenient way to give a custom-designed gift of live performance this holiday season. In addition to the concert tickets, Gift Cards also include a coupon for two free desserts at the Art Bar restaurant, located in the rotunda area of the performing arts building immediately across Main Street from the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Holiday Gift Cards are priced at $85 (for best available seating in prime locations) and $55 (for best available seating in good locations) and may be redeemed any time between December 1, 2005 and May 22, 2006.
To purchase a Gift Card, or for more information, call 503-228-1353 or visit the Symphony’s Web site at www.orsymphony.org. Group rates for parties of eight or more are available.
