Mercy Holiday Celebration

📍 This event takes place at Powell Hall

Friday, Dec 18, 2026, 10:30am Get Tickets Friday, Dec 18, 2026, 7:30pm Get Tickets Saturday, Dec 19, 2026, 2:00pm Get Tickets Saturday, Dec 19, 2026, 7:30pm Get Tickets Sunday, Dec 20, 2026, 2:00pm Get Tickets

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Program

Erin Freeman, conductor
Norm Lewis, vocals
St. Louis Symphony Chorus | Erin Freeman, director

Traditional / arr. Sean O’Laughlin Christmas Canticles

Traditional / arr. J.S. Bach/Erin Freeman “In Dulci Jubilo”

Steven Amundson Rejoice!

Various / arr. and orch. Joseph Joubert “Ave Maria / O Holy Night”

Eric Whitacre Glow

Antonio Vivaldi / recomp. Max Richter Winter I from The Four Seasons Recomposed

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Waltz of the Snowflakes from The Nutcracker

Jule Styne / orch. Joseph Joubert “Let It Snow”

Larry Stock / arr. Daryl McKenzie“A Cradle in Bethlehem”

Robert Shaw / arr. Robert Russell Bennett Selections from The Many Moods of Christmas Suite No. 4

Traditional / arr. Bill Holcombe Festive Sounds of Hanukah

Mykola Leontovych / arr. Barlow Bradford “Carol of the Bells”

Leroy Anderson Sleigh Ride

Percy Faith / arr. Lee Norris “Brazilian Sleigh Bells”

Walter Afanasief / arr. Joseph Joubert / orch. David Gill “Why Couldn’t It Be Christmas Everyday?”

Jerry Herman / arr. Robert Wendel “We Need a Little Christmas”

Gene Autry / arr. James Ployhar “Here Comes Santa Claus”

Felix Bernard / arr. Ralph Hermann “Winter Wonderland”

Walter Kent / arr. Mark Hayes “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”

Charlie Smalls / arr. and orch. Joseph Joubert “Home” from The Wiz

Various / arr. James Stephenson A Holly and Jolly Sing-Along!

About this Concert

Experience the magic of the holidays as Broadway star Norm Lewis joins the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for its annual seasonal celebration. Blending the timeless and traditional with contemporary classics, this festive concert features the SLSO and the St. Louis Symphony Chorus in a program filled with warmth—from cozy fireside ballads to poignant carols and the joyful sound of sleigh bells, with perhaps even enjoy a visit from Santa Claus. There’s nowhere quite like Powell Hall during the holidays, so bring your family and friends to make memories that will last a lifetime.

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Dec 18, 10:30am | Dec 18, 7:30pm | Dec 19, 2pm | Dec 19, 7:30pm | Dec 20, 2pm
Enjoy the convenience of complimentary valet parking, drinks, and treats—and make your visit to the symphony feel a little more special.

- This concert marks St. Louis Symphony Chorus director Erin Freeman’s first time conducting the Mercy Holiday Celebration. Freeman has said attending Christmas concerts as a child was a huge influence on her: “They’re the whole reason I’m in the business.”
- Norm Lewis is a celebrated singer and actor, renowned for his work on Broadway, television, and film. He made history as the first Black actor to star in Broadway’s The Phantom of the Opera (2014). His acclaimed career includes starring roles in Porgy & Bess (Tony nomination), Les Misérables, and the television series Scandal.
- SLSO musicians have a tradition of hosting get-togethers over Irish coffees, eggnog, and cookies around the Mercy Holiday Celebration. The Irish coffee tradition was pioneered and the method perfected by the orchestra’s beloved former principal keyboardist, the late Barbara Liberman.