American Festival Pops Orchestra

Press Releases

AMERICAN FESTIVAL POPS ORCHESTRA PRESENTS "HOLIDAY POPS! SONGS OF THE SEASON"

Released Oct. 22, 2014

MANASSAS and FAIRFAX, Va., Nov. 18, 2014 – Northern Virginia's own American Festival Pops Orchestra makes the season merry and bright when it presents "Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season," a festive musical array filled with Christmas cheer. The ensemble appears at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas on Friday, Dec. 12, 2014 at 8 p.m. and at George Mason University's Center for the Arts in Fairfax on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014 at 8 p.m. Pre-performance discussions, free to ticketholders will be held 45 minutes prior to each performance in the Buchanan Partners Art Gallery at the Hylton Center and Grand Tier III at the Center for the Arts (sponsored by the Friends of the Center for the Arts).

This sparkling musical extravaganza features beloved classics from Irving Berlin, Leroy Anderson and John Williams, including "The Twelve Days of Christmas," "The Christmas Song" and "Winter Wonderland." In keeping with tradition, American Festival Pops Orchestra is excited to welcome back Hylton Center Executive Director Rick Davis, in a captivating narrative set to music in "T'was the Night Before Christmas," and young and old alike will enjoy the ever-popular audience sing-along.

Under the baton of Artistic Director and Conductor Anthony Maiello, American Festival Pops Orchestra gathers some of the most extraordinary musical talent the greater D.C. area has to offer, including members of Mason's School of Music faculty, U.S. military ensembles and regional symphonies. Maestro Maiello is an associate director and university professor in Mason's School of Music, and has made professional appearances throughout the United States and abroad, conducting music festivals; adjudicating ensembles; and presenting lectures, clinics and workshops.

For more information about the American Festival Pops Orchestra and Maestro Anthony Maiello, please visit afpo.gmu.edu.

Program subject to change.