(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) invites music lovers of all ages to celebrate the season at its December 17 Holiday POPS! concert featuring Broadway singer Janet Dacal (In the Heights, Prince of Broadway, Wonderland, The Band’s Visit–National Tour). Dacal performs festive songs from the stage and screen, while the Princeton High School Choir adds its ebullient voices to traditional carols, making this the merriest of concerts! Orchestral pieces include Nigel Hess’ A Christmas Overture, music from Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, and Leroy Anderson’s A Christmas Festival and Sleigh Ride. Edward T. Cone Music Director Rossen Milanov conducts performances of Holiday POPS! at Richardson Auditorium at 3:00pm and 6:00pm on December 17.
Executive Director Marc Uys looks forward to this annual event. He says, “It’s such a wonderful concert, with everyone from the youngest audience member to the most seasoned musician eager for a joyous musical experience. This is the perfect way to introduce the whole family to one of the highlights of all that is on offer in Princeton. We see families return year after year, keeping Holiday POPS! a part of their yuletide traditions.”
Janet Dacal, a Los Angeles native, has a successful and extensive career in music and theater. Her music career began under the wing of Grammy winning artist Gloria Estefan, recording background vocals on a number of her albums. Janet is currently starring as Dina in the National Tour of the 10-time Tony Award Winning Musical, The Band’s Visit. She has starred in several Broadway productions in NYC, most recently Prince of Broadway, directed by the one and only Hal Prince. She played multiple roles in the production including, Eva Peron in Evita, The Spiderwoman, Aurora in Kiss of The Spiderwoman, and Sydney in It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's Superman. Janet starred in the Tony and Grammy Award Winning hit In the Heights. After having originated the role of Carla in the original Off-Broadway and Broadway productions, for which she received a Drama Desk Award, she took over the title role of Nina Rosario. She then starred as Alice, in Frank Wildhorn’s musical Wonderland. She appears in the original cast recordings of Prince of Broadway, In the Heights, and Wonderland.
Tickets for Holiday POPS! with Janet Dacal range from $20-$80; Youths 5-17 receive a 50% discount with an adult purchase. Visit the Princeton Symphony Orchestra website at princetonsymphony.org or call 609-497-0020.
The Princeton High School Choir has an unusually rich tradition of choral excellence that is unique among American high schools. The choir has performed extensively in North America and Europe, touring as representatives of Princeton, New Jersey, one of America’s most distinguished communities. One of five performing ensembles, the 85 members of the choir are selected after careful audition of nearly 250 voices in the high school’s choral program.
Health and Safety: The Princeton Symphony Orchestra is closely monitoring and adhering to the New Jersey Department of Health’s COVID-19 requirements and complies with rules set by partner venues. Concert attendees will receive information regarding safety procedures, entry, seating directions, etc. in advance of their selected live performance(s).
Accessibility: The Princeton Symphony Orchestra is committed to ensuring all programming is accessible for everyone, working with venues to provide needed services. Online events include digital concert resources, closed captioning, and transcriptions as appropriate. If there are questions about these or if any additional services are required, contact ADA Coordinator Kitanya Khateri at [email protected] or 609-497-0020. Note: some services require at least two weeks’ notice to arrange.
The Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is a cultural centerpiece of the Princeton community and one of New Jersey’s finest music organizations, a position established through performances of beloved masterworks, innovative music by living composers, and an extensive network of educational programs offered to area students free of charge. Led by Edward T. Cone Music Director Rossen Milanov, the PSO presents orchestral, pops, and chamber music programs of the highest artistic quality, supported by lectures and related events that supplement the concert experience. Its flagship summer program the Princeton Festival brings an array of performing arts and artists to Princeton during multiple weeks in June. Through PSO BRAVO!, the orchestra produces wide-reaching and impactful education programs in partnership with local schools and arts organizations that culminate in students attending a live orchestral performance. The PSO receives considerable support from the Princeton community and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, regularly garnering NJSCA’s highest honor. Recognition of engaging residencies and concerts has come from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the PSO’s commitment to new music has been acknowledged with an ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming and a Copland Fund Award. The only independent, professional orchestra to make its home in Princeton, the PSO performs at historic Richardson Auditorium on the campus of Princeton University.
