Programmes

CBSO Family Christmas

Programme to include...

  • Bissill, Christmas Carnival  (11mins)
  • David Willcocks (arr. Pierpont), Jingle Bells  (4mins)
  • Fred Coots (arr. Rod Dunk), Santa Claus is Coming to Town  (3mins)
  • Cosy Lee (arr. Alwyn), I'm a Little Christmas Cracker  (2mins)
  • Berlin (arr. Huff, Moss), White Christmas  (4mins)
  • Bob Chilcott, Mid-Winter  (4mins)
  • Anderson-Lopez, Let it Go  (3mins)
  • The Jonas Brothers (arr. Huff, orch. Reynolds), Like It's Christmas  (3mins)
  • Leroy Anderson, Sleigh Ride  (3mins)
  • Marks, (arr. Paul Langford, orch. Jude Radley), Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer  (3mins)
  • John Williams, Home Alone: Somewhere in My Memory  (3mins)
  • Kirby Shaw (arr. Alwyn), Beboppin Santa Claus  (3mins)
  • Wham! (arr. Rod Dunk), Last Christmas  (4mins)
  • Prokofiev, Lieutenant Kijé Suite: IV. Troika  (3mins)
  • Mariah Carey (arr. Dunk), All I Want for Christmas Is You  (4mins)
  • Shakin' Stevens (arr. Dickman), Merry Christmas Everyone  (4mins)

Performers

Introduction

Christmas is a time for family and friends, whether that is attending Midnight Mass, sitting around the dining table together or letting your hair down at a Christmas Party. This year will be a special Christmas for me as I will be spending it with my CBSO “family and friends” in three concerts at Symphony Hall that cater for all musical tastes and styles.

There is nothing quite like the sound of a choir at Christmas and we have four of them: CBSO Chorus, Youth Chorus, Children’s Chorus and CBSO SO Vocal. Across three concerts we aim to transport you to the Christmas of your choice. Nothing lifts the heart more than an evening full of carols and choral singing. But you might prefer to sit around the fire with loved ones and cherish the warmth of a Family Christmas. Or maybe, after a long and tiring year, you just want to go wild at a Christmas Party?

Having been attached to the CBSO in some way or another for the last 33 years, I have seen traditions come and go. I think I am correct in saying that it was the Second Violins that started the tradition of wearing something “Christmassy” for Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride, the section I used to be a member of. Since then, the fancy dress has somewhat “snowballed” and every time I come back to the CBSO at Christmas, I cannot wait to see who is wearing what.

Ever since I put down the violin bow and picked up a baton, I have been asked to dress up to conduct Christmas concerts across the UK. In the past I have been a Christmas pudding, a Christmas tree, a snowman and even a turkey. As for this year, my lips are sealed!

Michael Seal
Conductor

Inspire children to explore the world of live music!

This February, we want to welcome more than 14,000 young people into the concert hall and a further 10,000 online. Many of these young people will be experiencing live orchestral music for the very first time. Our Schools’ Concerts are here to make these moments special!

Delivering these tailored concerts costs over £160,000. Income from ticket sales and generous support from Services For Education covers just over half of this, but we are left with around £90,000 to fundraise through trust and foundations and philanthropic individuals like you.

We hope every child in the West Midlands leaves school with a passion for music. By supporting our 2026 Schools’ Concerts Appeal, you help build crucial connections between the CBSO and schools across the region.

With generous support from anonymous donors, we have £20,000 of match-funding available! If you can, please help us continue to deliver inspirational music to young people across the West Midlands by donating online today, doubling your donation and impact!

Donate to Schools' Concerts Appeal

Featured image © Hannah Fathers