A 200-piece children's choir joins the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra during its Hometown Christmas Concert. By Erin Z. Bass
Acadiana Symphony Orchestra Music Conductor and Director Mariusz Smolij has traveled the world playing with ensembles from France and Germany to South Africa and his native Poland, but for his next concert he'll be collaborating with a group of musicians just starting out in their careers.
**Wednesday, December 8, 2010
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A 200-piece children's choir joins the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra during its Hometown Christmas Concert. By Erin Z. Bass
Photos by Robin May
Acadiana Symphony Orchestra Music Conductor and Director Mariusz Smolij has traveled the world playing with ensembles from France and Germany to South Africa and his native Poland, but for his next concert he'll be collaborating with a group of musicians just starting out in their careers. On Dec. 16, the symphony's annual Hometown Christmas Concert with Michael Doucet avec BeauSoleil will welcome a 200-piece elementary school choir on the Heymann Center stage. Composed of children from schools all over Acadiana and those from the Boys and Girls Clubs' Granberry Unit, the choir is part of Smolij's AcadianaSings! initiative to involve more students in the symphony's programming this year. On the heels of the ASO's popular Cirque de la Symphonie performance in November, which included educational concerts for more than 4,000 children and an essay contest to become "conductor for a day," the Christmas Concert further fulfills the symphony's mission to introduce the youth of Acadiana to the world of music.
The symphony's Conservatory of Music Choir Director Rafael Henry has been working with the students and says they are thrilled to perform on stage with the orchestra. "They have been listening to CDs and rehearsing to get ready for the event," he says. "Out of the 33 students in the Boys and Girls Clubs, only two have been on stage before, so for all the rest this is a first-time experience."
Audiences can look forward to hearing all the traditional carols, as well as a sample of Christmas music straight from the bayou 
performed by BeauSoleil. The orchestra, joined by the Acadiana Symphony's Youth Orchestra, will also be filling in with classical holiday selections from The Nutcracker and other favorites. Rounding out the event will be traditional Cajun holiday food, like stuffed alligator, cochon de lait, crawfish bisque and rice dressing, available for purchase before the performance and during an extended intermission.
"Community symphonies are changing and making music accessible to everybody," explains ASO Executive Director Jenny Krueger. "What we've seen this season with our family events is just so much support and interest, and it's exciting for us to feel connected to the community."
The Acadiana Symphony Orchestra's Hometown Christmas Concert will be held Thursday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the Heymann Center. Tickets are available from the ASO Box Office at 412 Travis St., the Heymann Center Box Office or through Ticketmaster. Visit www.acadianasymphony.org or call 291-5555 for more information.