December 16 / 7:30 pm
Join us for a heartwarming holiday tradition in South Bend as the Symphony, accompanied by special guest artists, presents “Home for the Holidays”! Immerse yourself in a spectacular program of beloved Christmas carols and memorable seasonal tunes that are sure to fill your heart with joy and bring back cherished memories. Experience the magic of the holiday season through the enchanting sounds of the Symphony as we bring you a heartwarming celebration of music and togetherness.
Give Back
Give back this holiday season by bringing a non-perishable food item to Home for the Holidays OR bring a new teddy bear to help us collect and share with local charities to distribute to children this holiday season. Patrons who contribute will receive a free ticket to the next Jack M. Champaigne Masterworks Series concert, “Discover Mahler’s Symphony No. 5”, on February 10, 2024. Let’s spread joy and generosity this holiday season!
Program
Coming soon.
About Music Director Alastair Willis
Grammy-nominated conductor Alastair Willis is the Music Director of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, and Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of The Symphonia Boca Raton. In past seasons, Willis has guest conducted orchestras around the world including the Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Mexico City Philharmonic, Orquestra Sinfonica de Rio de Janeiro, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchestra Berlin, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, China National Orchestra (Beijing), and Silk Road Ensemble (with Yo-Yo Ma) among others. His recording of Ravel’s “L’Enfant et les Sortileges” with Nashville Symphony and Opera for Naxos was Grammy nominated for Best Classical Album in 2009.
Last season Willis was re-engaged by the Chicago Symphony, Qatar Philharmonic, and Salute to Vienna, and made his Vienna debut with the Vienna Opera Ball Orchestra. This season he returns to the Qatar Philharmonic and Salute to Vienna and makes his debut with Vienna’s Imperial Philharmonic.
Previous positions include Music Director of the Illinois Symphony, Principal Guest Conductor with the Florida Orchestra’s Coffee Concert series, Associate Conductor of the Seattle Symphony, Assistant Conductor with the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestras, and Music Director of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Born in Acton, Massachusetts, Willis lived with his family in Moscow for five years before settling in Surrey, England. He received his bachelor’s degree with honors from England’s Bristol University, an education degree from Kingston University, and a Master of Music from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. Willis currently resides in South Bend, Indiana, with his wife and daughter.
About the IU South Bend Choral Union
The IU South Bend Choral Union is the premier choral ensemble at Indiana University South Bend. Currently, under the direction of Dr. Jorge Muñiz, it has featured multiple collaborations with the IU South Bend Philharmonic, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, and various community choirs in the Michiana Area. During the past few years, the IU South Bend Choral Union has performed twice at Carnegie Hall in New York City and the White House, among other venues. More recently, on October 24, 2023, it celebrated the 100th anniversary of legendary American composer Ned Rorem with a tribute concert at IU South Bend.
About the Elkhart Community Chorus
The Elkhart Community Chorus was originally conceived by Becky Wagner-Schooley as the Elkhart High School Alumni Choir, made up of former Elkhart High School choir members. The choir sang at the opening of the historic Lerner Theater (formerly the ELCO Theater) on June 16, 2011. After the performance at The Lerner, the members decided to continue the group and open the membership to anyone who loves to sing and rename the group the Elkhart Community Chorus. The choir performs regularly around the community, collaborating with other choral groups and instrumentalists. Juan Carlos Alarcon serves as music director.
About the South Bend Symphonic Choir
The South Bend Symphonic Choir was organized in 1967 to perform as a component of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra. In 1977, the Choir became its own entity and became The Ensemble in Residence at Indiana University South Bend, offering students a chance to sing and perform with the ensemble.
Over the past 50 years, the Choir has performed with several local orchestra and the internationally renowned Kirov Orchestra from St. Petersburg, Russia at Orchestra Hall in Chicago.
Since 2008, under the leadership of Dr. Marvin Curtis, the Choir has continued to perform with The South Bend Symphony Orchestra and on its own. The Choir made history on December 21, 2009 when it performed a ninety-minute concert in the Grand Foyer of The White House. In 2016 and 2019, the Choir performed in concerts at Carnegie Hall.
Musicians
Meet the musicians here!
Valet Parking
Skip the line in the parking garage when you pre-pay for the new valet parking service! For $25, pull your car up to the Morris Performing Arts Center and SOPHI will take care of the rest.
- Valet will be available on the North Side of the Morris.
- Customers, pull in from MLK Blvd. onto Michigan St. where the SOPHI team will be set up to take in cars (signs will also be available for guidance).
- Once you are finished with the show, vehicle pick up will be on the north side of building.
- To which you will then exit your vehicle onto Main St.
To PRE-PAY, use this link: https://tinyurl.com/SymphonyAtTheMorris
Sponsor
Thank you to Everwise Credit Union for proudly presenting the 2023-24 Home for the Holidays
Thank you to Jordan Lexus of Mishawaka for being the proud artistic sponsor of the 2023-24 Season
Program subject to change.
Calendar for Home For The Holidays
Getting to the Venue
Morris Performing Arts Center
211 N. Michigan Street
South Bend, IN 46601
211 North Michigan Street
211 North Michigan Street, South Bend, IN 46601, USA
Sponsors

