On Saturday, December 5, the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra kicked off the holiday season with the sixth annual WKMG News 6 Holiday Concert benefiting the Salvation Army. It was a spirited performance of holiday-inspired classics at Lake Eola Park. In celebration of the holiday season, the event was broadcast live by WKMG Local 6, and featured all four orchestras of the FSYO.
“It’s a highlight of our year to partner with WKMG and have our student musicians provide live music in the annual holiday concert at Lake Eola,” said FSYO President Stephen Schenck. “This concert gives us the opportunity to celebrate the holiday season with the community and at the same time help the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program, which provides children in our community gifts to open Christmas morning. Gifts they would not normally receive.”
Hosted by WKMG the News 6 Morning Show talent, Bridgett Ellison and David Hall, the concert featured holiday sing-alongs and a very special appearance by Santa Claus. I also spotted a cow wearing a Santa cap, but I didn’t manage to get it in the sketch. Admission was free to all, but a monetary donation or unwrapped toy donation for the Salvation Army was encouraged.
The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra aims to educate and inspire Central Florida’s top young musicians through programs committed to strengthening musical talents and developing appreciation of the arts through classical music. The FSYO, in its 59th Concert Season, comprised of three full orchestras, one string training orchestra and various chamber groups, made up of more than 250 students from eight Central Florida counties, including Orange, Osceola, Lee, Seminole, Brevard, Lake, Highlands and Volusia. Programs are sponsored in part by the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs; the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; and United Arts of Central Florida.