December 9, 2024 – The annual Festive Holiday Concert of the Mariposa Yosemite Symphony Orchestra will 
have a new twist this year - it will be offered as a 2:00 P.M. Matinee concert for the very first time, as a courtesy to those who prefer not to drive after dark. One of Mariposa's most eagerly-anticipated annual events, the concert is slated for Saturday, December 21 in the Fiester Auditorium of Mariposa County High School, located at 5074 Old Hwy. N, Mariposa.
In another twist, this year's Holiday Concert will be presented on exactly the same day, 22 years later: as the orchestra's very first concert, held on December 21 in 2002. The orchestra is currently celebrating its 20th Anniversary Season and 23rd year, with a three-year COVID hiatus accounting for the discrepancy.
That first concert almost didn't happen, as there was a major snowstorm and power loss just two days before that 2002 premiere event, but most of the snow melted, roads were cleared and power restored by concert day. MYSO Founder/Conductor Les Marsden noted at that time that the concert's timing was intended as a day for the attendees to take time off from the stressful events of the season: gift-wrapping, baking, card-writing. All that, and to simply enjoy the warmth and company of their friends and neighbors in "the best way to get into the holiday mood - with live symphonic music," which had been absent from the town. Initial scoffing at the idea of a symphony orchestra existing in this rural, sparsely-populated area gave way to civic pride in the days following that concert.
Aside from that day of "holiday respite," other traditions established by that first concert were the closing of that concert with Marsden's own inventive medley of Christmas tunes, "Sierra Christmas Party." That piece has closed every December concert by the orchestra since, with a minor uproar resulting when word got out one year that Marsden wasn't going to put the piece on the program. He quickly relented and there it has remained.
Other pieces on this year's December 21 concert include Leroy Anderson's perennial "Sleigh Ride," the premiere of MYSO Principal hornist Ken Mackie's "Deck the Halls à la Bach," Johann Strauss (II)'s greatest waltz, "On the Beautiful Blue Danube," as well as the thrilling Overture to "Light Cavalry" by Franz von Suppé, the charming overture to Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado," Gioacchino Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" Overture, and the major work on the program: Felix Mendelssohn's buoyantly joyous1833 Symphony #4 in A-Major - the "Italian" Symphony. Like the Rossini, the Strauss and the Suppé: this symphony is a mainstay of popular culture, and is ubiquitous from its use in films, TV commercials and nearly every other medium which includes audio. Its most brilliantly effective use was in the soundtrack of the 1979 smash hit film "Breaking Away," which starred Dennis Christopher as an Italian-obsessed midwestern teen bicycle racing aficionado. Believing that the most successful race winners were Italian, Christopher's character adopts an Italian accent, mannerisms and other characteristics to the exasperation of his parents, played with delight by Barbara Barrie and Paul Dooley. Described by the composer himself as a "blue sky in A-Major," and "a joyous symphony," it IS just that.
Ticket prices have remained the same for advance online purchasers at $10/adults and $8/students. Ticket prices increase at the door to $15/adults and $10/students, so those planning on attending are urged strongly to purchase tickets in advance via the orchestra's secure online link - http://tinyurl.com/MYSO12-21-24 and further information is available by visiting the orchestra's online home at http://MYSO.live.
The orchestra's primary fiscal sponsor is Yosemite Hospitality, LLC, a subsidiary of Aramark.
For the best way to get into the holiday spirit, don't miss the MYSO's 20th Anniversary Festive Holiday Concert.
The concert's second half featured Mozart's Symphony #29
A portion of the orchestra's String Section - near the center left of the photo, with face partially obscured by a bow, is NPS employee/gate ranger Rebecca Lund, still a member of the orchestra for the past 22 years.
A shot of the premiere audience just before the concert's beginning. Standing room only.
The orchestra immediately before the concert began, with high energy and anticipation. Visible in the immediate foreground: Cellist Gail Dodd, further back behind her: Clarinetist Chris Thorpe and back row, just to the right of Chris Thorpe: Howard Shainberg (Euphonium.) And in the left rear is violinist Rebecca Lund, holding her bow nearly vertically in front of her. All four are still members of the orchestra, nearly a quarter century later.
All photos are from the MYSO's Premiere Concert on December 21, 2002 - exactly 22 years to the day prior to its upcoming Festive Holiday Concert of December 21, 2024. All are in the Fiester Auditorium of Mariposa County High School. Photo credit: Jim Thompson.
Source: MYSO