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Hernando Today

Holiday Sounds Fill The Air

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By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: December 1, 2008

SPRING HILL - Twenty-five years is a long time to be playing music.

An extensive catalogue also comes with those 25 years.

The Hernando Symphony Orchestra will delve into their deep vault of songs and perform their favorites in February and March.

On Sunday, they played their final of three Christmas concerts. It took place at the Springstead High School Theatre, where most of their concerts are played.

It featured vocals, narration and a mixture of holiday classics - ones they have played many times in prior years.

"This whole season we'll be celebrating 25 years," said assistant conductor Michele DiLuzio, who was a founding member of the symphony. "We're pulling music from years past - some of our favorites."

The setlist Sunday included a medley from "The Nutcracker," "The Polar Express" and "White Christmas," along with a reading and musical interpretation of "Twas the Night Before Christmas."

Local tenor Jason Yungman sang "White Christmas" and was accompanied by the full symphony.

"It's wonderful. I really enjoy this type of music - classical music," said Edith Malik, who was joined by five others from the Sterling House, an assisted-living facility in Spring Hill. "I have to say that I was down in the dumps before. This has lifted me."

The packed audience was made up mostly of seniors, but the orchestra itself had a mixture of young and old musicians.

"The objective here is to really support the kids in the orchestra," said Rick Foti, one of the five percussionists Sunday.

There were 20 violinists on the roster, along with five playing the viola and cello, respectively, four on the flute, three on the clarinet and one on the saxophone.

Others played the trumpet, trombone, French horn, piano, oboe, bassoon, piccolo and bass clarinet.

The conductor was Wayne Raymond, who has been with the symphony for nine seasons.

Other numbers featured performances from the Bells of St. Frances, a three-octave choir directed by DiLuzio.

"Oh, this was awesome," said Terry Harrell, the activities director at the Sterling House. "We have a former bell player here and when she heard the bells, she was like, 'This is the best president I could ever have.' She was so excited."

The next shows of the concert series will take place Feb. 14, 22 and 24 and April 18, 26 and 28. They will include 25 years of favorites and classics.

To purchase tickets, call 352-597-9555. For more information, visit www.hernandosymphony.com.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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