“Let It Snow or Not,” exclaimed Maestro Glen Cortese, Artistic Director and Cond

uctor of the Western New York Chamber Orchestra 2016 Poinsettia Pops during Wednesday’s concert.

Sally Ulrich, President of the Jamestown Concert Association thanked the orchestra members for inching their way to the stage of the Reg Lenna Center for The Arts, many travelling from the Buffalo area for this event. Joining the orchestra for this holiday celebration was a vibrant trio of young vocalists including Mariami Bekauri, mezzo-soprano; Juliana Grabowski, soprano; and Lucia Helgren, soprano from the music and opera departments of SUNY Fredonia. While the orchestra tuned and a sound check completed, the Southwestern Orchestra under the bow of Mrs. Janice Carlson played holiday selections from the balcony for the arriving patrons below.

The first musical selection entitled “Christmas Festival Overture,” arranged by Leroy Anderson included a string and brass volley in the familiar tune “Joy to the World.” The bouncing violin bows gave life to “Deck the Halls,” and the adagio section of “Good King Wenceslas,” contained an effective musical echo. The string bass and violoncello section supported the tune “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” The articulated harp arpeggio added forward movement to “Silent Night.” Excellent string and woodwind technique added excitement to “Jingle Bells,” where the melody alternated in counter rhythm. A strong trombone run added closure to the final song of the medley, “O Come All Ye Faithful.”

Miss Helgren, rather stunning with blonde hair, crimson red gathered gown accented with a sparkling chandelier necklace, provided a beautiful vocal rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Christmas.” Her voice was well controlled with clean and concise highs where her stylistic flare was perfectly incorporated.

Cortese in addition to effective conduction, served as Master of Ceremony and comedian for the performance reminding the audience of OSHA issues with operating an open sleigh and one horse. Also sited was the allergy potential associated with the gifts of the Magi frankincense and myrrh.

The vocal calisthenics of the three soloists were beautifully executed in “O Come Emmanuel.” Their harmonics in the refrain “Rejoice,” filled the center with resonant tones that elicited bravos and vigorous clapping from the audience in recognition. “Pa-rum pum pum,” was articulated rolled by the three soloists in “The Little Drummer Boy,” an arrangement by Cortese. The extensive introduction was skillfully played by a single snare, violoncello, oboe and bassoon. Grabowski sang with steady and controlled vibrato. Bekauri added a nice mezzo bottom to the harmonic chord of this trio. Cortese continued his comic relief citing typothermia as the new diagnosis now associated with texting in cold climates.

Selections from the Nutcracker Ballet were perfectly and skillfully rendered superior to any recording the audience had experienced in the past. Ji Hyun Woo on keyboard added precision to the “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy.” The flutes and piccolo provided a light birdsong whistle to the snappy rendition of “Waltz of the Flowers.” The bouncing bow of the violin combined with woodwinds added a pleasing tempo layer to “Coffee or Arabian.” Noteworthy was the single tambourine that added a distant element of time and space. The selection “Tea or Chinese” contained an intense violoncello line that was bright and colorful. “Trepak or Russian Dance,” concluded the Nutcracker selection with noted applause.

“A Christmas Medley,” arranged by Cortese included “The First Noel,” “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “Ding Dong Merrily On High,” which showcased the excellent rhythm of the orchestra and the impeccable vocal technique of the trio with intertwining melodies. “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly,” a Polish carol arranged by Cortese was noted to be his favorite. The played stillness was beautifully arranged which included a lyrical lullaby sung by the vocal trio. At one time the vocal sound was so in concert, their voices seemed to be one as a choir with the orchestra.

One of the most significantly moving pieces of Wednesday concert was “Stille Nacht,” Manhattan Steamroller arrangement. The stillness created by the single piano of Woo and the Violoncello of Bryan Eckerode transcended the audience to a special place with obbligato tones that seemed to transcend to infinity. The strings, woodwinds and French horn provided depth to this work with a tease of dynamics that added mastery to this profound selection.

The warm and stylistic vocal tones by mezzo-soprano Bekauri were evident in the selection, “The Christmas Song.” Her dark features and pleasant smile were a significant asset to her velvet and satin Crimson gown and humble presentation. The Leroy Anderson arrangement of “Sleigh Ride,” complete with whip cracks, horse nays, clean brass, spot on woodwinds and tuba riff was spectacular and an audience favorite.

This lovely evening of music mastery concluded with a Cortese arrangement of “Adeste Fidelis,” which included the strong and controlled vocals of Bekauri, Grabowski and Helgren. Bravos and sustained applause acknowledged the combined excellence of the Western New York Chamber Orchestra under the conduction of Glen Cortese and the featured vocalists.