CityView Magazine

art Sounds of the Season Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra sets the tone for the holidays N othing compares to tradi- tional holiday music in its ability to transport us. From the opening notes we are carried away to a special place of fond memories and happy occasions. This year Fayette- ville Symphony Orchestra will be add- ing voices to those notes by collaborat- ing with Cumberland Oratorio Singers for the first time. The celebration begins on December 4 at the First Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, with the time- less classic of "Messiah! Sing." Sponsored by the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, along with donations from private contribu- tors, this event is a giſt produced spe- cifically for the citizens of Fayetteville and is free for all to attend. Fouad Fakhouri, who is the music director and conductor for Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, will be the lead conductor along with Michael Martin, the music director of Cumberland Ora- torio Singers. "Messiah! Sing" will also 24 | Food & Wine • 2011 feature soloists Erin Matson Murdock, Shannon French, Melvin Ezzell and Don Milholin. The best part of this con- cert program is that it allows the attend- ees to sing along and enter the holiday season in song together. Continuing the festivities, Fayette- ville Symphony Orchestra will conduct their Holiday Extravaganza on Decem- ber 10, at Reeves Auditorium at Method- ist University. This annual merry event is guaranteed to fill all with the holiday spirit, as the audience gets to enjoy sea- sonal snacks and beverages and join in the joyous Christmas Sing-a- Long, audience-favorite Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride, Festive Sounds of Hanuk- kah, Carnival Overture and more. And, if everyone is good, there might even be a visit from Santa himself. The Holiday Extravaganza will fea- ture Fakhouri along with soloists Gail Morfesis, Cumberland County Youth Orchestra and Music Makers. Accord- ing to Fakhouri, "this concert is more of a holiday pops-type of concert, as eve- ryone can relate to the holidays". In addition, he is proud of the fact that the concert will have 100 musicians on stage, which will include children who created and built their own musi- cal instruments. These concerts are a great way to start traditions that leave long lasting memories. This is a special year for Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra for another rea- son as well, the Orchestra is celebrating its 55th year, making it the oldest con- tinuously funded orchestra in North Carolina. Each year, Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra succeeds in their mission of "Educating, Entertaining and Inspir- ing" audiences. Just in time for the holi- days, they are again geared up to add an extra dose of thrill with traditional performances, enriching the lives of local citizens and visitors and opening the doors of imagination to our young people. CV BY BHAIRAVI BHATT

• Cover