Reviewer: Chloë Cerva
Venue: The Temple Theatre
The Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra’s holiday concert at the Temple Theatre on Tuesday, December 9th was honestly one of the most joyful nights I’ve had in a while. Led by Music Director Fouad Fakhouri, the orchestra was joined by the Saginaw Bay Youth Orchestra and singers Charles Allen, Todd Michael Hall, and Billy Petty. The show opened with a bright and classic “Deck the Halls,” which instantly set the festive, cozy tone, full of holiday cheer.
One of the most impressive parts of the evening came with the ballet pieces from Estancias: Danzas del Ballet. “Danza del trigo” and “Danza final” really stood out for me. Both were energetic, detailed, and full of emotion. Watching the youth orchestra handle music that intricate was genuinely inspiring. Having played in a community orchestra as a teenager, I know how demanding pieces like that can be, so seeing them pull it off so confidently was a treat and I know they must feel proud.
The more traditional holiday portion of the program had its own magic. The sing-along was fun, sweet, and moving, especially during “Silent Night,” when you could almost feel the whole audience humming together. “Sleigh Ride” was its usual charming favorited self with that quirky percussion part everyone waits for, and the “Mambo” from West Side Story was a lively surprise, perfect for anyone who enjoys the beloved classic American musical. One of the biggest orchestral highlights was the “Christmas Bells” medley, which bounced from the haunting feel of “Carol of the Bells” to the cheerful sparkle of “Silver Bells” and “Jingle Bells.” It was dramatic, playful, and just plain fun.
The vocal performances were a huge part of the night’s energy. Charles Allen’s original song “Sleepwalking” was just stunning. his voice was so smooth and rich that the audience applauded twice before he even finished. His sequined jackets made him look like he’d stepped straight out of a glamorous Christmas movie, and truly, the vibe matched his talent. Billy Petty’s versions of “You Raise Me Up” and “O Holy Night” were gorgeous and powerful, the kind of performances that give you goosebumps right from the beginning to end. Todd Michael Hall brought the rock n roll, his “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” had full Bruce Springsteen–in-leather-pants energy. His duet with Billy on “High Enough,” complete with a rippin’ guitar solo, weirdly worked with the rest of the show, and even “Here I Go Again,” which has really doesn’t have anything to do with Christmas, still managed to fit because it was just that fun and brought the energy up high.
The night wrapped up with “Nessun Dorma,” the famous piece sung by the Three Tenors. It was bold, dramatic, and a perfect way to let each singer shine one more time before the concert came to a close. It felt like a finale worthy of a big holiday celebration.
On top of the music, the whole atmosphere of the Temple Theatre made the night even better. The glowing decorations, the friendly staff, the theater filled nearly to the brim with neighbors and families. The Saginaw community showed up in full force, and the result was a concert that felt less like a formal performance and more like a shared holiday celebration. It was an unforgettable, spirited night to kick off the season.