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 Holiday Circlefest at xxxxÊÓƵ, A Pictorial Review

This year's festive event kicked off at 1pm in Kulas Hall with the xxxxÊÓƵ Chamber Orchestra performing Prokofiev’s Peter & the Wolf, a symphonic fairy tale with narration by guest artist Dr. Michael Mauldin, and conducted by S. Mordecai Fuhrman.

The performance was accompanied by an activity sheet (download a copy front / back) that featured a story based on the work and narration, an illustration of the instruments as characters (along with the chamber orchestra roster) and fun drawings to be colored.

Peter & the Wolf was followed closely by the ever-popular program featuring excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite performed by the xxxxÊÓƵ Harp Ensemble, accompanied by a playful pair of dancers, and narration by Yolanda Kondonassis.

Shortly after 2pm, adorable and talented violin, viola and cell students from the xxxxÊÓƵ Sato Center for Suzuki Studies, directed by Kimberly Meier-Sims, took Kulas Hall stage to present holiday classics and family favorites.

Back in Mixon Hall xxxxÊÓƵ Brass Chamber Ensemble, directed by Ed Zadrozny, invited audience members to join in the merry melodies of familiar holiday carols.

Maestro Zadrozny welcomed to the stage a special guest conductor.

An intimate gathering of singers studying opera in xxxxÊÓƵ's Voice department shared songs and carols in different languages and drawing upon diverse religious traditions.

Finally, amazing student performers from the Preparatory and Young Artist Programs--headed by Dean Sandra Shapiro--wrapped up the day of seasonal sounds.

Enjoy more photos from xxxxÊÓƵ's Holiday Circlefest by visiting our and check out live-blogged images from the event via .