Kelly Corcoran conducts "A Spirit for the Holidays" feat. Nashville Symphony: at Schermerhorn Symphony Center (Nashville, TN) Sat. December 22, 2012

Kelly Corcoran conducts "A Spirit for the Holidays" feat. Nashville Symphony

This concert will be presented twice, with an 11 a.m. performance in English and a 12:30 p.m. performance in Spanish.

Nashville Scene Critic's Pick …

The Nashville Symphony’s Pied Piper Series successfully bridges the gap between classical music and childhood attention spans. Performances consistently manage the impossible task of keeping both parents and their young ones entertained with dynamic bills riddled with garishly humorous performances. Working once again alongside the Magic Circle Mime Company, Spirit for the Holidays brings back a holiday-themed rendition of last season’s Music, Noise & Silence. The mischievous mime spirits are at it again, but this time the quarreling is to the tune of works such as Lee Norris’ arrangement of “Brazilian Sleigh Bells” and Leroy Anderson’s “A Christmas Festival.” Additionally, selections from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker and Respighi’s La Boutique Fantasque bring images of childhood fantasies to life in the form of festive ballets. While there are still token Magic Circle standards such as Strauss’ Pizzicato Polka and Bach’s “Little” Fugue in G minor, the event’s holiday themes are sure to bring a breath of fresh air to anyone looking for a quality children’s event.

—Matt Fox