The Southern Ozarks Community Orchestra will present “Wrapping up Christmas” for its last concert of 2024 at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, at the historic Star Theater in Willow Springs.
Tickets are available at the door and are priced at $10. Children 5 and under will be admitted free.
Attendees will enjoy traditional pieces such as “From the Realms of Glory,” “All is Calm (Silent Night),” “Let There be Peace on Earth,” “O Holy Night” and the classics, “Sleigh Ride,” “A Christmas Festival,” “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Other favorites will be performed including, “Frosty the Snowman,” “Charlie Brown Christmas,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Once Upon a December from Frozen” and “The French Carol.” “People Look East,” is a rendition featuring French horns, a piccolo duet, oboe and English horn.
There are many gifted musicians from the surrounding cities, including several current and former music teachers from Ava, Cabool, Houston, Mountain View, Thayer and West Plains.
The musical director and conductor since 2017, Jodie Forbes, has lived in this area for more than 40 years. She was a music teacher in Cabool, Houston and Willow Springs, and is currently giving private lessons for the Stars Foundation and playing in several musical groups in her spare time.
She graduated with honors and a bachelor’s degree in education from the Dana School of Music, a part of Youngstown State University in Ohio.
The Southern Ozarks Community Orchestra is sponsored by the Willow Springs Arts Council and has served the area since 2009. For more information on both, visit the arts council website at www.willowspringsartscouncil.org and Southern Ozarks Community Orchestra on Facebook. Orchestra and small ensembles are available for performance. Anyone that is interested in joining the group can reach out to Brandy Taylor at 417-259-7634 or Jodie Forbes at 417-217-0542. The group is looking for more string players (violins, violas and cello).
