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The Wasatch Chorale will join up with the Utah Valley Symphony to present a Family Christmas Concert at the Covey Center for the Arts on Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2011. Photo courtesy of Wasatch Chorale

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The Utah Valley Symphony and the Wasatch Chorale will join to present a Family Christmas Concert at the Covey Center for the Arts on Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2011. Photo courtesy of Utah Valley Symphony

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The Utah Valley Symphony and the Wasatch Chorale are joining up to make a joyful noise at their combined “Family Christmas Concert” on Wednesday and Dec. 1 at the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo.

As the name suggests, this concert, which has a mix of yuletide sounds, is tuned to tickle the Christmas fancy of both young and old alike.

“It’s a real variety of music,” said Dr. Bryce Rytting, conductor of the Utah Valley Symphony. “There are sacred pieces, there are secular pieces. There are modern styles, there are old styles. There’s classical music, there’s popular music. We’re doing some fun, lively upbeat Christmas music as well as some more serious numbers. We intentionally design the Christmas program to be something the whole family will enjoy.”

The symphony will open the concert with classic Christmas selections from “The Nutcracker,” as well as favorites “White Christmas” and two versions of “Sleigh Ride.” The Wasatch Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Reed Criddle, will then join its voices on a set of carols and combined pieces, such as “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol,” by John Rutter, and Engelbert Humperdinck’s German version of “Evening Prayer” from the opera “Hansel and Gretel.”

The classical centerpiece for the program is “Fantasia on Christmas Carols,” a symphony/choir/soloist combination piece written in 1912 by English composer Ralph Vaughn Williams. Williams was an advocate of folk music and hymns, and often went into the countryside of Southern England to collect tunes that had been passed down through oral tradition. The soloist featured on “Fantasia” will be baritone John Buffett, a resident artist with the Utah Opera.

“The piece weaves together orchestra, choir and the baritone soloist into a wintry tapestry,” said Amy Norton, choir member and president of the board of directors for the Wasatch Chorale. “It’s a wonderful juxtaposition between the coldness of winter and the warmth of the Christmas season.”

While Utah Valley Symphony and Wasatch Chorale have joined forces in the past to perform large-scale concerts, this is the first time the two groups have come together for a Christmas performance, and Norton said it’s been a singular experience.

“Singing Christmas music is so much fun,” she said. “But singing Christmas music with an orchestra is a special treat. It’s a joy to be able to collaborate with a wonderful orchestra that’s right in our neighborhood.”

The two groups hope their blend of orchestral and vocal Christmas favorites will get your family humming, remembering and leaving with a little more of the Christmas spirit.

“Christmas is a time when people want a little more music in their lives,” Norton said. “The songs and carols rekindle memories and remind us of how we should treat our fellowmen. This concert between the Wasatch Chorale and Utah Valley Symphony kicks off the Christmas season, and I know our audience will leave the Covey ready to celebrate the holidays.”

Family Christmas Concert

Who: Utah Valley Symphony and WasatchChorale

Where: Covey Center for the Arts, 425 W. CenterSt., Provo

When: Wednesday and Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $12 general, $10 students and seniors,$25 families (groups of six or more)

Info: (801) 852-7007, www.coveycenter.org