The Valley’s favorite holiday tradition returns! On December 4, the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra (WSO) returns to WesBanco Arena for Symphony on Ice, the holiday extravaganza combining figure skating with live music. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the holiday spectacular. Symphony on Ice is presented by the EQT Foundation, Paul T. Tucker, and the City of Wheeling. Additional support is provided by Main Street Bank, Belmont Savings Bank, Touchstone Research Laboratory, Ben and Lynne Exley, Nina and Kyle Rosenthal, and the Spadafore Family.
“Symphony on Ice is the only performance of its kind,” says WSO Music Director John Devlin. “Not only is it totally unique in its presentation of figure skating paired with orchestral music, but it combines local, community talent with celebrated stars. Where else can you witness elementary school figure skaters perform followed by Olympic stars, or hear a 200-member student choir sing the ‘Halleluiah Chorus’ with a live orchestra? It’s an evening full of surprises and holiday magic!”
This year, the star skater is Mariah Bell, the 2022 U.S. National Champion. Ms. Bell also earned the silver medal at the 2020 national championships and the bronze model twice in 2017 and 2019. She represented the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics. Several other professional skaters will perform, along with the Wheeling Skate Club and Pittsburgh skate clubs.
On the music side, vocalist Amanda McGovern will lead several numbers. A local rising star, McGovern grew up in Wheeling and is a recent graduate of West Virginia University. This past spring, McGovern won the prestigious NextGen competition, hosted by the American Pops Orchestra. This will be the fourth time Ms. McGovern will appear as a guest artist with the WSO, having previously performed at last year’s Symphony on Ice and at the last two Music Under the Stars Labor Day concerts at Oglebay.
In addition to McGovern, other local talents will be on display via the WSO Community Choir and the Symphony on Ice Holiday Choir. The Community Choir debuted last spring at the WSO’s 95th Anniversary Celebration and consists of over 40 adult singers from around the Ohio Valley. The Holiday Choir is a student choir of nearly 200 vocalists, comprised of several high schools from throughout the Northern Panhandle and Ohio.
This year, Symphony on Ice will also include an altruistic element by partnering with the Wheeling Police Department and the Belmont County Sheriff’s Department to collect donations for Operation: Toy Lift. Starting at 5:30 pm, concert attendees are invited to bring new, unwrapped toys to contribute to the toy drive. The toys will then be transported to Operation: Toy Lift at the Ohio Valley Mall on December 7. In addition to collecting toys, there will be an option to make a monetary donation to the drive. All donations will go toward the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley.
“Symphony on Ice is many things, but at its core, it’s a celebration of community,” says WSO Interim Executive Director Sumner Riddick. “We are so grateful to our presenting sponsor the EQT Foundation, as well as Paul Tucker, the City of Wheeling, and our many other generous sponsors, for providing the opportunity for so many young people to perform for an audience of thousands alongside professional skaters and musicians.”
“Symphony on Ice celebrates its 20th year this year, and with good reason,” says Devlin. “The combination of figure skating with live music, illuminated with stunning lighting in WesBanco Arena, creates a larger-than-life experience that captures the magic of the holiday season. If you have never attended, I promise it is unlike any other Christmas concert. Bring the whole family and see for yourself!”
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TICKETS
Tickets for Symphony on Ice start at $15. Students can sit anywhere in the house for $15. Tickets can be purchased online at wheelingsymphony.com, over the phone at 304-232-6191, or in person at the WSO box office, located at 1025 Main Street, Suite 811, Wheeling, WV 26003 or 304-232-6191.
