December 07, 2004 -

Ottawa, Canada -- After a hugely successful “Christmas with the National Arts Centre Orchestra” in 2003, popular conductor George Daugherty returns to Southam Hall to lead the 2004 edition of this festive favourite, joined once again by Ottawa’s own singing star Tyley Ross together with soprano Monica Huisman in her NAC debut. “Christmas with the NAC Orchestra”, a concert and carol sing-along that the whole family can enjoy together, will take place on Saturday, December 18 at 19:00. The concert also features choral delights by the Cantata Singers of Ottawa and the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir prepared by Laurence Ewashko and Barbara Clark. Young dancers from The School of Dance will make a special appearance in choreography by Merrilee Hodgins.

Come to the Foyer from 18:00 on for pre-concert events including a live performance by Ottawa Jazz Hot and entertainment for children.

Tyley Ross, a Canterbury Highschool graduate best known for lead roles in Miss Saigon on Broadway, the Canadian national tour of Tommy, and West Side Story at the Stratford Festival, returns to the NAC Orchestra where he also starred in A Canadian Broadway Spectacular in 2001 as well as last year’s Christmas with the NAC Orchestra. He will perform seasonal favourites such as Mel Torme’s The Christmas Song, Schubert’s Ave Maria, as well as the opera classic Nessun Dorma.

International award-winning soprano Monica Huisman from Winnipeg will sing Ding Dong Merrily On High, Handel’s Let the Bright Seraphim where she will be joined by NACO principal trumpet Karen Donnelly, and O Holy Night. Huisman will also join Tyley Ross in David Martin’s Silver Bells and White Christmas.

George Daugherty will lead the NAC Orchestra and the youth and adult choirs in Christmas delights including Courtney’s A Musicological Journey Through 12 Days of Christmas, Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, O Come, All Ye Faithful , Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming, The First Noel, Anderson’s Sleigh Ride and more. The dancers from The School of Dance will perform to the “Winter” excerpts of Frost, Ice, Hail and Snow from Glazunov’s The Seasons.

All the audience members are invited to raise their voices in song to close the evening and welcome Christmas with a medley of “Jingle Bells”, “Joy to the World”, “Silent Night”, “Away in a Manger”, “Deck the Halls”, “O Come All Ye Faithful” and more!

“Christmas with the NAC Orchestra” will be presented at the National Arts Centre on December 18 at 19:00. Tickets are on sale now at $25.50, $45, $55.00, 57.00 with box seats at $70.00, (GST and Facility Fee included), with half price tickets available for children. Tickets can be purchased at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00) and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111.  Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s web-site at www.nac-cna.ca.

For more information please contact:
Jane Morris, Communications Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
(613) 947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca