The Wheeling Symphony’s 2016 holiday spectacular “Symphony On Ice” is Tuesday, December 6th at 7 p.m. in WesBanco Arena. This community favorite is presented by Main Street Bank and Murray Energy Corporation.
Music Director and conductor Andre Raphel leads the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra and more than 300 local middle and high school choir students performing holiday classics as the Wheeling and Pittsburgh figure skating clubs dance across the ice. This year’s special guests include nationally ranked skaters Caroline Zhang and Grant Hochstein and hometown heroes the Wheeling Nailers.
Raphel shared, “The annual Symphony on Ice program is a great holiday tradition that captures the spirit of the community. With favorites such as Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus and Silent Night which feature figure skaters and choirs, the program makes for a unique presentation during the holiday season. In addition to traditional favorites, this year the orchestra will play a new arrangement of We Three Kings, by West Virginia composer Matthew Jackfert.”
The Wheeling Symphony is grateful for generous Symphony on Ice sponsorships from Murray Energy, Main Street Bank, Paul T. Tucker, The Lynne and Ben Exley IV Charitable Fund, Charles and Lori Spadafore, Dr. Kenneth & Mrs. Robin Dunbar, National Road Utility Supply, Inc. and an anonymous donor.
Some of the repertoire includes: “Sing We Now of Christmas,” “Must Be Santa,” “Do You Hear What I Hear?,” “Christmas Time is Here,” “Let There Be Peace on Earth” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
“The holidays wouldn’t be complete without Symphony On Ice. We’re so pleased to be returning to WesBanco Arena. All of us — the choirs and skate clubs, the professional skaters, the Nailers and the orchestra — love this special event,” commented Bruce Wheeler, WSO Executive Director.
Ms. Zhang is a Four Continents medalist (2010 and 2012), the World Junior Champion (2007), the Junior Grand Prix Final champion (2006), and a three-time U.S. national medalist (2009, 2008 and 2012).
Mr. Hochstein is a U.S. national medalist (2016) and placed 5th at the 2010 World Junior Championships.
As of April of this year, Mr. Hochstein and Ms. Zhang became engaged.
For tickets and more information contact the Wheeling Symphony Box Office 304-232-6191, or wheelingsymphony.com.