The Bravura Philharmonic Orchestra, based in Plainsboro, presents a holiday concert as the debut performance of the newly-founded community orchestra. Chiu-Tze Lin is the music director and conductor of the organization including professional musicians, high-level amateurs, university students, and gifted students of pre-college age. The featured soloist is her daughter, Courtney Lin Kaita, who performs on cello. The concert is a Princeton Alliance Church on Sunday, December 2, at 7:30 p.m. All tickets are $10.##M:[more]##
Lin, the former music director of the Princeton Presbyterian Church in West Windsor for eight years, was the conductor of the Manalapan Battleground Symphony through last May, and has been active in community programs, including the National Day of Prayer for two years. “I am devoting my time in the founding the Bravura Philharmonic,” she says.
Lin, who calls the West Windsor and Plainsboro area her homebase, actually lives in Manalapan. Her husband works for Princeton Plasma Physics Lab in Plainsboro. Her father and sister live in West Windsor.
“A salient feature of the ensemble is its diverse repertoire, which includes timeless classics, popular Broadway arrangements, and multi-cultural music,” says Lin. The orchestra also has numerous other chamber groups, such as the strings ensemble, wind ensemble, brass quintet, and strings quartet. Since the founding of the orchestra in May, the group has already performed for dignitaries such as Senator Hillary Clinton and at American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life luminaria ceremony.
Kaita, a top prize winner in many music competitions, including the Music Teachers National Association competition, has performed as a soloist with the Edison Symphony, the High Mountain Symphony, and the Manalapan Battleground Symphony. She has also performed in churches, nursing homes, and at benefits. Kaita attends Princeton Alliance Church and helps out in the music program.
A community chorus of members of the Princeton Alliance Church and the area present holiday favorites including Handel’s “Glory to God” and “Hallelujah Chorus. The concert also includes Tchaikovsky “Sleeping Beauty” and Johannes Strauss’ “Emperor Waltz.”
The orchestra rehearses at Princeton Alliance Church. New members are welcome. Call Lin at 732-446-2458 for information.
— Lynn Miller
Bravura Philharmonic Orchestra, Princeton Alliance Church, Scudders Mill & Schalks Crossing roads, 609-933-1356. www.princetonalliance.org. $10. Sunday, December 2, 7:30 p.m.
More Holiday Music
Barnes & Noble, MarketFair, West Windsor, 609-716-1570. www.bn.com. Hopewell Valley and Pennington high school choirs. Saturday, December 1, 1 p.m.
MarketFair, Route 1 South, West Windsor, 609-452-7777. www.marketfairmall.com. The Trentones from the College of New Jersey present a cappella arrangements of holiday favorites in celebration of McCarter Theater’s “A Christmas Carol.” They will perform two longer sets in the atrium and then break into four person chamber groups. Sunday, December 2, 12:30 to 3 p.m.
Holiday Open House, Borders Books, 601 Nassau Park, 609-514-0040. www.bordersgroupinc.com. Holiday festival with musical entertainment, storytimes, and childrens activities. Thursday, December 6, 7 to 9 p.m.
Holiday Concert, Barnes & Noble, MarketFair, West Windsor, 609-716-1570. www.bn.com. Princeton GirlChoirs present holiday and traditional favorites. Saturday, December 8, 2 p.m.
Holiday Concert, First Presbyterian Church of Dutch Neck, 154 South Mill Road, West Windsor, 609-799-0712, Bell and Chancel Choir present traditional carols, Finzi’s “In Terra Pax,” Edwards’ “Wassail,” and Saint-Sains’ “Christmas Oratorio,” accompanied by a chamber orchestra. Soloists are Li-Chan and John Maxham, both graduates from the Manhattan School of Music who have toured throughout the United States, Taiwan, and Europe. Sunday, December 9, 4 p.m.
Family Holiday Show, Jersey Harmony Chorus, Boy Scouts of America, Route 1, Monmouth Junction, 732-469-3983. By invitation. Several West Windsor and Plainsboro women are in the chorus. Monday, December 10, 7:15 p.m.
Holiday Wonders, Best Chinese Shows, Beacon Theater, 2124 Broadway, New York City, 212-307-4111. www.bestchineseshows.com. Area residents are involved in a holiday show featuring costumes, dancers, and the Divine Performing Arts Orchestra, including Chinese culture and history. Through Wednesday, December 26. $48 to $200. Tuesday, December 18, 7:30 p.m.
Fall Concert, Mercer County Symphonic Band, Mercer County College, Kelsey Theater, 609-584-9444. www.mccc.edu. Annual concert features traditional band music, holiday tunes, and patriotic songs. Audience participation is invited for the sing along of holiday music. Free. Wednesday, December 19, 8 p.m.
Holiday Wonders, Best Chinese Shows, Caesars, 2100 Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City, 212-307-4111. www.bestchineseshows.com. Area residents are involved in a holiday show featuring costumes, dancers, and the Divine Performing Arts Orchestra. Through Sunday, December 30. $60 to $120. Friday, December 28, 7:30 p.m.
