Rod Gilfry.jpg

Rod Gilfry is the guest artist for this year's Fox Motors Holiday Pops, Dec. 4 - 7.

(Dana Patrick)

Fox Motors Holiday Pops

DeVos Performance Hall



303 Monroe Ave. NW



7:30 p.m. Dec. 4



8 p.m. Dec. 5 & 6



3 p.m. Dec. 6 & 7

Tickets starting at $18



616-454-9451, ext. 4



grsymphony.org

For John Varineau, it is Christmas in June because that is the time when the Grand Rapids Symphony's associate director begins to plan the popular Fox Motors Holiday Pops performance.

"So when everyone else is enjoying the warm, sunny weather, I'm thinking of cold winter days and sleigh rides," Varineau said with a chuckle.

But the conductor, who marks his thirtieth year with the symphony, doesn't mind, adding that just like many Grand Rapids residents, he too looks forward to the Holiday Pops concerts, which this year are Dec. 4 – 7.

"December is a festive time of year," Varineau said. "When we have our Holiday Pops, people come wanting to have an enjoyable time and as a result I have an enjoyable time."

Varineau said he enjoys the challenge of finding new ways of presenting traditional holiday music and this year, audiences can expect to hear up to 40 different seasonal tunes in about two hours featuring the Symphony, the Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Chorus, Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, and guest artist baritone Rod Gilfry.

"This is because of melodies which allow us to present a lot of variety," Varineau said. "It is high energy with some lush scores."

One such piece is "Eatnemen Vuelie" by Frode Fjellheim, which will be presented by the Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Chorus, under the direction of Sean Ivory. The piece is a setting of "Fairest Lord Jesus" and is the first piece of music featured in the Disney-animated film "Frozen."

Also on the program is Vaughan Williams' "Fantasia on Christmas Carols," which Varineau described as hauntingly beautiful with an Old English-type feel. The piece features Gilfry, who performed with the Symphony this past January.

"Gilfry just captivated the audience with his stage presence and singing," Varineau said, adding the Symphony is excited to have him return, and this time around, performing a range of music selections including "White Christmas" and "A Christmas Garland" written by Alexander Courage, who is best known as the composer of the "Star Trek" theme.

A brass choir will perform and Varineau will be breaking out his clarinet and joining the Symphony for "A Klezmer Hannukah." There also will be the traditional sing-along and the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, under the direction of Pearl Shangkuan, will conclude the program with Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" from "The Messiah."

"And of course Santa Claus will be making an appearance," Varineau said. "He is making it a little earlier arrival this year due to the snow is so bad."

Variety is the key for the Holiday Pops and Varineau said this year's program certainly delivers just that.

"I think the reason the Holiday Pops has become such a tradition is first we do a good job," Varineau said. "We have a wonderful orchestra and I think it is because we do feature of lot holiday music that people are familiar with, know and love."

All of the Fox Motors Holiday Pops are at the DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. Also part of this year's Fox Motors Holiday Pops is the Holiday Pops Spectacular which starting at 1 p.m. before the Saturday matinee performance, families can enjoy festive treats, arts and crafts, games, caroling, family photos, an instrument petting zoo and other activities in the DeVos Hall Monroe rooms. Tickets are $20 and include admission to the 3 p.m. concert. For more information, call 454-9451, ext. 4.