By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
The St. Joseph Symphony's annual Christmas concert will still go on this year, but not in its usual way.
A recording of the Symphony will be broadcast locally on KQ-TV (ABC affiliate) on Christmas Eve from 6-7 p.m. without commercial breaks.
The recording is a performance at The Missouri Theater from December 2018 called "A Viennese Holiday," featuring 11 pieces performed by 51 musicians.
Lori McAlister, the Symphony's managing director, says she started thinking in late summer and early fall about how to bring the community a holiday concert in a safe way.
"We're very cognizant of keeping the community and our players healthy," McAlister said, "and doing things in the most responsible way that we can while keeping up the music and making sure people know the St. Joseph Symphony is alive and well."
Noel Good, a violinist with the Symphony, says he misses performing live, especially this time of year. But, he hopes that broadcasting a recorded concert will bring some cheer for both the audience and the musicians.
"Playing Christmas concerts is a part of our lives," Good said. "This year is very strange in that I have not played any Christmas music. So, this is important to the musicians, too. Even though we can't participate in person, I think it's a very nice way for us to get into the spirit."
The St. Joseph Symphony is also in the process of hiring a new Music Director/Conductor. McAlister says they're down to three finalists.
"All of them in the region," McAlister said of the candidates. "All of them accomplished and interested in us, which is exciting and humbling."
The Symphony hopes to hold three audition concerts in April and May of 2021. More information on those will be released at a later date.
