European cities and towns are famous for their festive and magical atmospheres throughout the month of December. Snow-covered mountains and enchanting forests, beautiful lights artfully hung and quaint Christmas markets, elaborate pastries straight out of a medieval cookbook and quirky local traditions.
Building on a 14-year tradition for its own holiday program, the Space Coast Flute Orchestra presents "Christmas from Europe" on Sunday, Dec., 11 at 3:00 p.m. at Suntree United Methodist Church.
Charter member and guest conductor Cindy Wagman will lead the orchestra of over 30 flutists, performing on instruments which include the piccolo and the standard concert or C-Flute. Other more exotic members of the flute family include the alto, bass and contrabass.
"Our flute orchestra will present a wonderful free program of holiday music for the community," said Wagman. "Dr. Robert Lamb's Gloriana Singers are singing some beautiful Christmas songs. And this year, we will once again have dancers from Brevard Ballet Academy performing several of the best known dances from Tchaikovsky's famous 'Nutcracker.'"
The Space Coast Flute Orchestra was founded in 1984 and is one of the largest regularly rehearsed flute orchestras in the world. It is comprised of musicians from all walks of life and provides adult flutists of Brevard County with educational and performance opportunities, and supports local young flutists while enriching cultural and performing arts in the community. It is an all volunteer organization supported entirely by patron donations.
The holiday program will feature musical selections taken from several European traditions. “Silent Night” comes to us from Germany, while England is the home of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas." The “Carol of the Bells” originally from Ukraine will be performed by the Gloriana Singers with handbell accompaniment. The Gloriana Singers will perform a number of works composed for the Christmas season. The music of Spain, Italy, Poland, Greece and Ireland will all be found on the program, along with music from the Russian "Nutcracker Suite."
Dancers from the Brevard Ballet Academy will perform favorite dances from the "Nutcracker,"including the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" and the "Chinese Dance." The program closes with the audience joining the SCFO and the Gloriana Singers in the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah.
The concert is staged free to the public, with donations gratefully accepted. For more information call (321) 385-7236 or visit http://www.scfo.org