'Ringing in the Holidays'
by JILL SCHMELZER Reporter

Sara Abrahamian, soprano

I"It's the most wonderful time of the year," and the Amherst Symphony Orchestra is ringing in the sounds of the holidays at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 at Amherst Middle School, 55 Kings Highway in Snyder.

IThe Ring Masters will chime during the preconcert event beginning at 6:15 p.m., spreading some holiday cheer before the orchestra begins its portion of the concert.

The Ring Masters was originally formed 18 years ago as the Calvary Episcopal Church Handbell Choir, later becoming known as the The Ring Masters of Western New York. The group is now based at Williamsville United Methodist Church and is directed by founder Gloria Werblow.

Once the preconcert is completed, the bell ensemble and the Amherst Symphony Orchestra will take center stage to present a regional premier of an outstanding arrangement of Linda McKechnie's We Three Kings with "March of the Kings" and Go Tell It-Medley with "Troika" from Lieutenant Kije Suite by Sergei Prokofiev.

According to an ASO member, the presentation of bell ringers with orchestra is exceptional and will be of great delight to the audience.

The concert will kick off with a blend of seasonal music.

Other sounds of the holidays the audience will hear is to the beat of Pyotr (Peter) Ilyich Tchaikovsky's waltz from "Eugene Onegin."

The three-count rhythm will make it hard for audience members to keep from dancing in the aisles.

The joyous sounds keep attendees looking forward into the season, according to members of the orchestra.

It is also uplifting to the orchestral ensemble that is playing the piece, said Joan Fishburn, a member of ASO.

Also in the evening's lineup will be the "Dolly Suite" by Gabriel Faure, which was chosen because it is an appropriate piece for the blissful sounds the orchestra will project.

The first half of the concert will conclude with an Amherst Symphony Orchestra tradition. The children in the audience will be asked to join the musicians on stage to participate in holiday songs. The youth will be given sleigh bells to ring as the orchestra plays holiday favorites, ringing out the first act.

The second half will begin, and soprano soloist Sara Abrahamian, a teacher at Transit Middle School, will sing songs from Wolfgang Mozart, including Exsultate Jubilate Motet -"Alleluia." She will also sing Johann Strauss's "Die Fledermaus" - The Laughing Song.

In conclusion of "Ringing in the Holidays," ASO will seek audience participation once again for the traditional sing-a-long.

"We are delighted to ring and play in the holiday season of 2006," said Maestro Steve Thomas.

The post concert will follow with the customary meet and greet event, where audience members will have the opportunity to speak with guest artist Abrahamian. Homemade cookies and punch will be offered to kick off the holiday season.

Once again, the ASO will be offering free shuttle service from Amherst Central High School, located at 4301 Main St. The bus will pick up and drop off at the Berryman Drive entrance.

Also, at the concert, for a $10 contribution to the orchestra, children and grandchildren's names will be included in this season's programs.

e-mail: jschmelzer@beenews.com