(soft orchestral music) (audience applauding) ("We Need A Little Christmas") - Good evening and welcome to Magic of Christmas.

My name is Eckart Preu and I'm the music director of this wonderful orchestra.

Your Portland Symphony Orchestra.

We are thrilled to be here.

And thank you so much for joining us.

We have a wonderful program for you, which we call “Home For The Holidays” because where else would you rather be than home with family and friends?

And we have a lot of friends here on stage.

Please welcome our friends of the Magic of Christmas Chorus and the PSO Children's Choir (applause) and they will be performing with us.

Our next piece, which is music from an animated Dreamworks movie called The Prince of Egypt.

And there's a very famous song in there.

It's called “When You Believe”, and the message is kind of when you believe miracles may happen.

And for this piece, we also need a soloist.

And speaking of miracles, I think our soloist has a miraculous voice.

She participated in American Idol just last year, and when I heard her voice, it was actually the audition tape for American Idol.

I was just blown away by the power of her voice, the beauty, the musicality, the humanity that she brings to her performances.

And turns out she's from Cumberland and she's home for the holidays as well.

So we invited her to join us.

Please welcome Julia Gagnon.

So we invited her to join us.

Please welcome Julia Gagnon.

("When You Believe") ♪ Many nights we prayed ♪ With no proof anyone could hear ♪ ♪ In our hearts a hopeful song ♪ ♪ We barely understood ♪ But we are not afraid ♪ Although we know there's much to fear ♪ ♪ We were moving mountains ♪ ♪ Long before we knew we could ♪ ♪ There can be miracles when you believe ♪ ♪ Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill ♪ ♪ Who knows what miracles you can achieve ♪ ♪ When you believe, somehow you will ♪ ♪ You will when you believe ♪ In this time of fear ♪ When prayer so often proves in vain ♪ ♪ Hope seems like the summer birds ♪ ♪ Too swiftly flown away ♪ Yet now I'm standing here ♪ ♪ My heart's so full, I can't explain ♪ ♪ Seeking faith and speaking words ♪ ♪ I never thought I'd say ♪ There can be miracles ♪ When you believe ♪ When you believe ♪ Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill ♪ ♪ Who knows what miracles you can achieve ♪ ♪ You can achieve ♪ When you believe, somehow you will ♪ ♪ You will when you believe (children singing in foreign language) ♪ There can be miracles ♪ When you believe ♪ Though hope is frail ♪ It's hard to kill ♪ Who knows what miracles ♪ ♪ You can achieve ♪ ♪ When you believe, somehow you will ♪ ♪ Somehow you will ♪ You will when you ♪ Believe ♪ You will when you believe ♪ ♪ Ah (audience applauding) (audience cheering) - Julia will be back in just a little while for more songs.

For now, we have music from the Polar Express.

A movie from 2004 is already over 20 years old, but the music doesn't age at all.

It's still as fun and as jazzy as it was 21 years ago.

Now I wanna focus on one song in particular, which deals with arguably the best beverage for the holidays, which is hot.

Exactly.

Hot chocolate.

So you know it, you have already an advantage here because I'm gonna ask you for your participation in that particular song.

It's a medley and the hot chocolate song.

It's in the middle.

All you have to do is on occasion when indicated.

So I'm gonna point at you to shout “Hot chocolate”!

Can we try it “hot chocolate” a little bit more?

You have to be a little bit more sugared up for this.

Chocolate.

Chocolate.

Exactly.

Now to put this together with a, with a music, it's really helpful if you think 1, 2, 3.

Hot chocolate.

Yeah.

1, 2, 3.

Hot chocolate.

You're perfect.

You're perfect.

Now, just, just so you know, there's a different version of hot chocolate.

Be screamed here at the, in this song at the same time, there's hot choco-lette.

If you know the movie, you can do it.

If you know the music, you can do it.

Do it otherwise, don't worry about it at all.

And just focus on “hot chocolate Okay, so here's the medley from the Polar Express.

(whistle blowing) ("The Polar Express") ♪ It's a magic carpet on a rail ♪ ♪ Never takes a rest ♪ Flying through the mountains and the snow ♪ ♪ You can ride for free and join the fun ♪ ♪ If you just say yes ♪ 'Cause that's the way things happen ♪ ♪ On the Polar Express ♪ Woo woo, the whistle blows ♪ That's the sound of her singing ♪ ♪ Ding ding, the bell will ring ♪ ♪ Golly, look at her go ♪ You wonder if you'll get there soon ♪ ♪ Anybody's guess ♪ 'Cause that's the way things happen ♪ ♪ On the Polar Express ♪ When we get there we'll scream yeah ♪ ♪ We'll arrive with a bang, bang, bang ♪ ♪ Laughing all the way ♪ With a little luck we'll be on time ♪ ♪ There's no need to stress ♪ 'Cause that's the way things happen ♪ ♪ On the Polar ♪ Express ♪ ♪ Polar Express ("Hot Chocolate") ♪ Hot, hot ♪ Ooh we got it ♪ Hot, hot ♪ Hey, we got it ♪ Hot, hot ♪ ♪ Say we got it ♪ Hot chocolate ♪ Hot, hot ♪ Oh we got it ♪ ♪ Hot, hot ♪ So we got it ♪ Hot, hot ♪ Yo we got it ♪ Hot chocolate ♪ Here we've only got one rule ♪ ♪ Never, ever let it cool ♪ Keep it cookin' in the pot ♪ You've got hot chocolat ♪ Hot, hot ♪ Ooh we got it ♪ Hot, hot ♪ Hey we got it ♪ Hot, hot ♪ Say we got it ♪ Hot chocolate ♪ Here we only got one rule ♪ Never, ever let it cool ♪ Keep it cookin' in the pot ♪ Soon ya got hot chocolat ♪ Hot, hot ♪ Hot, hot ♪ ♪ Hot, hot ♪ Hot chocolate ♪ Hot, hot ♪ Oh we got it ♪ Hot, hot ♪ So we got it ♪ Hot, hot ♪ Yo we got it ("Believe" by Josh Groban) ♪ Children singing ♪ Snow is softly falling ♪ Dreams are calling ♪ Likes bells in the distance ♪ We were dreamers ♪ Not so long ago ♪ But one by one ♪ One by one ♪ We all had to grow up ♪ When it seems the magic slipped away ♪ ♪ We find it all again on Christmas Day ♪ ♪ Believe in what your heart is saying ♪ ♪ Hear the melody that's playing ♪ ♪ There's no time to waste ♪ ♪ There's so much to celebrate ♪ ♪ Believe in what you feel inside ♪ ♪ And give your dreams the wings to fly ♪ ♪ You have everything you need ♪ ♪ If you just believe ♪ ♪ If you just believe ♪ Just believe ♪ Just believe ♪ Bum bum bum bum ♪ Bum bum bum bum (energetic festive music) ♪ It's the spirit of the season ♪ ♪ You can feel it in the air ♪ You can hear it if you listen ♪ ♪ Everywhere, so much care, like a prayer ♪ ♪ Whatever it is, you need to share it ♪ ♪ It's the spirit of the season ♪ ♪ You can feel it in the air ♪ ♪ People smile as they pass you by ♪ ♪ The day will be here soon ♪ ♪ Dreams are dancing in the children's eyes ♪ ♪ Hearts are singing, bells are ringing, too ♪ ♪ It's the spirit of the season ♪ ♪ Filling hearts with love and care ♪ ♪ Let the shining star increase it ♪ ♪ Everywhere, feeling there, like a prayer ♪ ♪ Whatever it is, you need to share it ♪ ♪ It's the spirit of the season ♪ ♪ Bum, bum, bum, bum ♪ Bum, bum, bum, bum ♪ You can hear it in the air ♪ It's the spirit of the season ♪ Thats really nice.

Very nice shouting.

I believed you!

Very, very impressive.

Thank you so much!

Now, lets please welcome back to the stage, Julia!

(applause) ♪ What's it all about, Alfie ♪ Is it just for the moment we live ♪ ♪ What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie ♪ ♪ Are we meant to take more than we give ♪ ♪ Or are we meant to be kind ♪ And if only fools are kind ♪ Alfie ♪ Then I guess it is wise to be cruel ♪ ♪ And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie ♪ ♪ What will you lend on an old golden rule ♪ ♪ As sure as I believe ♪ There's a heaven above, Alfie ♪ ♪ I know there's something much more ♪ ♪ Something even non-believers can believe in ♪ ♪ I believe in love ♪ Alfie ♪ Without true love we just exist ♪ ♪ Alfie ♪ Until you find the love you missed ♪ ♪ You're nothing, Alfie ♪ When you walk, let your heart lead the way ♪ ♪ And you'll find love any day ♪ ♪ Alfie ♪ Alfie (audience applauding) ("Feelin' Good") ♪ Birds flying high, you know how I feel ♪ ♪ Sun in the sky, you know how I feel ♪ ♪ Breeze driftin' on by ♪ You know how I feel ♪ ♪ It's a new dawn, it's a new day ♪ ♪ It's a new life for me ♪ And I'm feeling good ♪ I'm good ♪ Fish in the sea, you know how I feel ♪ ♪ River running free, you know how I feel ♪ ♪ Blossom on the tree, you know how I feel ♪ ♪ It's a new dawn, it's a new day ♪ ♪ It's a new life for me ♪ ♪ And I'm feeling good ♪ Dragonfly is out in the sun, you know what I mean ♪ ♪ Don't you know ♪ Butterflies all havin' fun, you know what I mean ♪ ♪ Sleep in peace when day is done, that's what I mean ♪ ♪ And this old world is a new world ♪ ♪ And a bold world for me ♪ For me ♪ Stars when you shine, you know how I feel ♪ ♪ The scent of the pine, you know how I feel ♪ ♪ Oh, freedom is mine ♪ And I know how I feel ♪ It's a new dawn, it's a new day ♪ ♪ It's a new life for me ♪ It's a new dawn, it's a new day ♪ ♪ It's a new life ♪ It's a new life ♪ ♪ It's a new life ♪ ♪ It's a new life ♪ It's a new life ♪ For me ♪ And I'm feelin' ♪ Good ♪ I'm feelin' good ♪ ♪ I feel so good ♪ I feel so good ♪ I (audience applauding) (audience cheering) ("Winter Wonderland") ♪ Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin' ♪ ♪ In the lane, snow is glistenin' ♪ ♪ A beautiful sight ♪ We're happy tonight ♪ Walking in a winter wonderland ♪ ♪ Gone away is the bluebird ♪ ♪ Here to stay, it's a new bird ♪ ♪ He sings a love song ♪ ♪ As we go along ♪ Walking in a winter wonderland ♪ ♪ In the meadow we can build a snowman ♪ ♪ Then pretend that he's Parson Brown ♪ ♪ He'll say, are you married ♪ We'll say, no man ♪ But you can do the job when you're in town ♪ ♪ Later on, we'll conspire ♪ As we dream by the fire ♪ To face unafraid ♪ The plans that we've made ♪ ♪ Walking in a winter wonderland ♪ ♪ In the meadow we can build a snowman ♪ ♪ And pretend that he's a circus clown ♪ ♪ We'll have lots of fun with Mister Snowman ♪ ♪ Until the other kiddies knock him down ♪ ♪ When it snows, ain't it thrillin' ♪ ♪ Though your nose gets a chillin' ♪ ♪ We'll frolic and play the Inuit way ♪ ♪ Walking ♪ We're talking ♪ And then in a crazy winter wonderland ♪ - Julia Gagnon We are excited to partner again this year with Maine Public TV who are actually recording this very show for later broadcast on tv.

So you can see it again four times during Christmas week.

So you don't, you can, you can totally fall asleep for, for, for a little while.

You can always catch up later on outreach, like over TV or education concerts are really at the core of what the PSO does.

Just last year we reached almost 26,000 children, students and families, 26,000 because we really believe that music education is incredibly important.

And oh, thank you, thank you for agreeing.

And we're doing this in many different ways.

We sending musicians to schools, but we also bringing children and their families here to Marrow Auditorium.

We have youth concerts, we have discovery concerts, and for instance, discovery concerts are really designed for children.

So there's a, there's a, there's a, there's a nice title that they recognize, music that they love, and then there's an instrument petting zoo so they can try out different instruments.

And so it's not just petting, I mean it's really playing.

And more often than not, children will ask their parents to take lessons afterwards, which I think is wonderful.

We also have a program called Podium Hero, where we give them a baton and they can conduct a couple of our musicians.

Now that I find always especially fascinating, not because I'm a conductor, but because when you give a child a baton, and I don't know if you know the first Harry Potter movie when he finds his first real baton, how his hair all stands up.

And as a halo, that's exactly what happens with, with those childrens too.

And, and they can be like four years old and they can, they can be older children too.

But it really shows their real true personality when, when they're communicating with, with musicians and making music.

So it's a, it's really just a wonderful experience, these discovery concerts and, you know, for many of these children, it's really the very first time being in a big concert hall like this.

And, and also for this generation also, like my kids who grew up in a digital world with headphones on all the time.

And the iPhones.

It's great to be out and about listening to music made by real people on real instruments in a social context.

Wow, what a concept.

So it is a really, really great thing.

And we really, we are dedicated to continuing these discovery concerts.

Now, traditionally we have, at this point in magic, we do what we call a candy cane campaign.

That is a $15 campaign, 15 one $5 campaign where the audience of magic, you know, traditionally fully funds one of our discovery concerts, which I think is amazing.

And so again, this year we want to ask you to participate in making these concerts possible.

You can give $15, you can give less, that's totally fine.

You can give more.

It's fine too.

And you know, if everybody consider this a gift to your children or to your grandchildren, to the next generation, I think then, then makes really a lot, a lot of sense.

So we make it really easy for you to participate.

We have our Ashers here easily identifiable by the candy canes, bells and big bags that want to be filled with all the cash that you have.

They also take checks.

By the way, if you want to use a credit card, you can do this in the lobby.

But the easiest way to give is really, there is a QR code in your program book.

Just point your iPhone on it or whatever phone you have.

Well, smartphone and you can give right from your, from your seat.

And we really appreciate your generosity in enabling us to continue with these discovery concerts for the next generation.

So thank you very much for that.

And now we have one last piece before the intermission.

And that is magic of Christmas tradition.

It is the Hallelujah chorus from Heel Messiah.

Now here, the question is always to stand or not to stand because at its premier, king George was in attendance, king George ii.

And he was so excited by the music that he, that he rose from his seat and he stood up and you know, when the king stands, everybody stands.

Now it's a little bit different situation here.

This is a free country, so you do whatever you like to do.

Here is Handel's Messiah.

("Hallelujah Chorus") ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth ♪ ♪ For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ The kingdom of this world ♪ Is become the kingdom of our Lord ♪ ♪ And of His Christ, and of His Christ ♪ ♪ And He shall reign for ever and ever ♪ ♪ And He shall reign for ever and ever ♪ ♪ And He shall reign for ever and ever ♪ ♪ And He shall reign for ever and ever ♪ ♪ For ever and ever, forever and ever ♪ ♪ King of kings ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ And Lord of lords ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ King of kings ♪ For ever and ever, forever and ever ♪ ♪ And Lord of lords ♪ For ever and ever, forever and ever ♪ ♪ King of kings ♪ For ever and ever, forever and ever ♪ ♪ Lord of lords ♪ King of kings ♪ And Lord of lords ♪ And He shall reign ♪ And He shall reign ♪ And He shall reign ♪ And He shall reign ♪ And He shall reign ♪ And He shall reign forever and ever ♪ ♪ King of kings ♪ For ever and ever ♪ And Lord of lords ♪ For ever and ever ♪ And He shall reign for ever and ever ♪ ♪ And ever ♪ ♪ King of kings ♪ ♪ Lord of lords ♪ King of kings ♪ And Lord of lords ♪ And He shall reign ♪ Shall reign for ever and ever ♪ ♪ Forever and ever ♪ Forever and ever ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah ♪ Hallelujah (applause and cheering) (applause and cheering) ("Frozen Suite") (soft music) (energetic music) (light music) (upbeat music) (solemn music) (happy music) (audience cheering) (audience applauding) That was music from the movie Frozen.

As you all probably recognize.

Fun fact Frozen was the first Disney movie that was directed by a woman.

It took them 52 movies to get there, but eventually they got there.

And if you are fans of movie music as I am, we have not one but two treats for you coming up very soon.

One is for Valentine's Day, we will be playing Jurassic Park.

And I know what you're thinking.

Yes, it is the perfect Valentine's Day.

The thing to do, the tagline we're going with is “Take a Bite Out of Love”.

And then exactly one month later in the middle of March, we will be playing music from Star Wars.

The “Empire Strikes Back” this time.

Yes.

And the the way this works is if you haven't come to those concerts, is that the full orchestra sits here on stage playing the full soundtrack and the movie is being projected onto the big screen.

It's an amazing multi-dimensional experience.

And by the way, if you visualize the ticket size, they're really perfect for stockings.

They, they fit right, very snug in there.

So if you are looking for really cool Valentine's Day present or Christmas present, this is perfect.

This is perfect.

Now let's please welcome back to the stage, Julia.

("O Holy Night") ♪ O Holy night ♪ The stars are brightly shining ♪ ♪ It is the night of our dear Savior's birth ♪ ♪ Long lay the world ♪ In sin and error pining ♪ 'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth ♪ ♪ A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices ♪ ♪ For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn ♪ ♪ Fall on your knees ♪ O hear the angel voices ♪ O night divine ♪ O night when Christ was born ♪ O night ♪ Divine ♪ O Holy night ♪ O night divine ♪ O Holy night ♪ The stars are brightly shining ♪ ♪ It is the night of our dear Savior's birth ♪ ♪ Long lay the world in sin and error pining ♪ ♪ 'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth ♪ ♪ A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices ♪ ♪ For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn ♪ ♪ Fall on your knees ♪ O hear the angel voices ♪ O night ♪ Divine ♪ O night when Christ was born ♪ O night ♪ Divine ♪ O night ♪ O night divine (applause and cheering) - Thank you.

Thank you everybody.

- Thank you so much.

This is such an honor for me to be back on this stage.

I've only been here once before and through American Idol and every opportunity that I've gotten since and even before, nothing really quite equates to being on the stage.

This is always where I wanted to be.

This is always where I wanted to be.

I, (applause) I grew up coming to shows here.

It was, it was, it was the best thing I could imagine as a little kid.

It's where I really fell in love with performance as well.

I don't know if anybody watched American Idol.

Maybe they did, maybe they didn't.

But I, I made it very far.

I made it the best part of it was making friends along the way and the doors that it, it truly opened, it brought me everywhere.

It brought me to la to New York, to Hawaii.

But it, it never really, nothing was the same.

Nothing felt the same as coming home and being in Maine.

We, us Mainers, we, we miss the state the second we leave.

It's a, it's shared experience.

So when I got the call to do this, I was, I'm currently half based here, half based in New York.

I was so excited 'cause it meant that I was gonna be home for Christmas and there's truly nothing like being home for the holidays.

(applause) ♪ I'll be home for Christmas ♪ You can plan on me ♪ Please have snow and mistletoe ♪ ♪ And presents round the tree ♪ Christmas Eve will find me ♪ Where the love light gleams ♪ I'll be home for Christmas ♪ If only in my dreams (Clarinet) (strings) (clarinet) (orchestra swells) ♪ I'll be home for Christmas ♪ You can plan on me ♪ Please have snow and mistletoe ♪ ♪ And presents round the tree ♪ Christmas Eve will find me ♪ Where the love light gleams ♪ I'll be home for Christmas ♪ If only in my dreams (applause) (audience applauding) (audience cheering) (applause) - Oh, oh, ho ho ho Oh, Merry Christmas.

Hello.

Hello, it's Santa Merry.... Oh my gosh.

Hi Santa.

- I'm very - Well.

How about you?

You know I was flying over and I heard the beautiful music.

I almost crashed the sleigh.

It was so beautiful.

- Wow.

That was Julia right here.

She's just saying - Hello.

Hello.

Hi.

Hi.

Yes.

That's wonderful.

But you know, I had to make a slight detour to come here and I feel like I'm slacking off a little bit.

You won't tell the children will you?

- That children right there.

- Oh, hello.

Hi.

Merry Christmas.

Hello.

Hello.

Merry Christmas to you.

And don't worry, don't worry.

The workshop is in good hands.

The elves are there and I'm sure they're working very, very hard.

Very hard.

- Hi Santa.

- Hi.

I'm a huge - Fan.

Hello?

Oh, - Likewise.

- Oh, thank you.

I I had a question for you.

Yes.

I was wondering do the elves ever misbehave?

- Good question.

Good question.

I do have a naughty and nice list for the elves and, but I find that if we give them plenty of hot chocolate, they're fine.

The secret is to keep 'em sugared up.

- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I'm from, I'm from Cumberland.

Yes.

And I, I remember when Christmas you brought me this big L.L.

Bean tube sled.

It was the best Christmas I've ever had.

- Oh, and you used that tube sled.

You loved that.

Well you always were a good girl.

And, and you know, I love Cumberland.

I love it.

It's beautiful.

But with all the trees and coastline, it is very hard to land a sleigh, very difficult - Yes.

So, but you love Maine.

- Oh, I love Maine.

I love Maine.

It reminds me of my home in the North Pole.

You know, it's, it's cold and snowy and the people are friendly.

And there's moose.

- Hold on, hold on.

There's moose at the North Pole.

- Okay.

There, there's a couple moose at the North Pole.

So, so several years ago I took some moose from Maine up to the North Pole in hopes of replacing the reindeer.

- Oh, replace the reindeer with moose.

Why?

- Well, not forever.

Not forever.

The, the reindeer have formed a union and, and every 100 years or so they get a Christmas Eve off.

It's part of the deal.

So I thought if I took four moose from Maine, maybe they could replace eight tiny reindeer because moose are big and strong, you know, and they could pull the sled and it didn't work.

Moose, moose are big and strong, but they are not very smart.

And they kept pulling the sled out into traffic.

They were trying to lick the salt off the roads, you know.

So I went back into negotiations with the reindeer and for more carrots throughout the year, they will now work Christmas eves.

Oh.

So everything is fine.

Yep.

Yes.

- That sounds like a lot of work.

What do you do when you get home to the North Pole?

- Oh, I, I can't wait till I get home.

I'm already looking forward to it.

I, first things first is I got a nice warm fire waiting for me in the workshop and then get outta this suit and out of these boots and Mrs.

Claus is there with a cup of hot chocolate and, and then I sleep for 24 hours straight.

- Yeah.

- Yeah.

- So you love being home and you love Maine.

Yes.

We actually have a song that celebrates both, it's called the Maine Christmas song, - The Maine Christmas song.

Oh, I love that song.

Yeah.

Well I'll tell you what, I have some work to do on the sled 'cause a little crash landing, but I will be listening.

I can't wait to hear it.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas ("Maine Christmas Song") ♪ There's still meaning in the magic of Christmas ♪ ♪ In the state where the Christmas trees grow ♪ ♪ Where neighbors still drop by ♪ ♪ With cookies, breads, and pies ♪ ♪ And warm themselves beside the kitchen stove ♪ ♪ It's the spirit of sharing, giving, and caring ♪ ♪ Hanging wreaths upon your neighbor's doors ♪ ♪ That's the spirit of Maine at Christmastime ♪ ♪ From her mountains to her great Atlantic shores ♪ ♪ You can find a farmer hitching up his horses ♪ ♪ To the sleigh that the family's had for years ♪ ♪ Had for years ♪ To give the children rides ♪ Through the snow-white countrysides ♪ ♪ And the forests filled with timid whitetail deer ♪ ♪ It's the spirit of sharing, giving, and caring ♪ ♪ Hanging wreaths upon your neighbor's doors ♪ ♪ That's the spirit of Maine at Christmastime ♪ ♪ From her mountains to her great Atlantic shores ♪ ♪ Families still invite their friends and neighbors ♪ ♪ On their search for the perfect Christmas tree ♪ ♪ Christmas tree ♪ Walking through the frozen fields and rivers ♪ ♪ Often times in snow above their knees ♪ ♪ It's the spirit of sharing, giving, and caring ♪ ♪ Hanging wreaths upon my neighbor's doors ♪ ♪ That's the spirit of Maine at Christmastime ♪ ♪ From her mountains to her great Atlantic shore ♪ ♪ That's the spirit of Maine at Christmastime ♪ ♪ From her mountains to her great Atlantic shores ♪ (applause) - Actually this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Maine Christmas song written by Con Fullam from Maine of course.

And it marks also the 46th year of “Magic of Christmas”.

(applause) And the “Magic of Christmas Chorus” has been with us from the very beginning.

The first year they were named the “Christmas Chorus” and then we kind of upped them a little bit and made them “Magic”.

So since then they have been the “Magic of Christmas Chorus” and they flourished over the years.

And we are very pleased to welcome to the stage for our next piece.

“Here We Come ACaroling” their director, please welcome Hentus van Rooyen ("Here We Come a-Caroling") ♪ Here we come a-carolling ♪ Among the leaves so green ♪ Here we come a-wand'ring ♪ So fair to be seen ♪ Love and joy come to you ♪ And to you glad Christmas too ♪ ♪ And God bless you and send you a happy new year ♪ ♪ And God send you a happy new year ♪ ♪ We are not daily beggars ♪ That beg from door to door ♪ But we are neighbors' children ♪ ♪ Whom you have seen before ♪ Love and joy come to you ♪ And to you glad Christmas too ♪ ♪ And God bless you and send you a happy new year ♪ ♪ And God send you a happy new year ♪ ♪ God bless the master of this house ♪ ♪ Likewise the mistress too ♪ And all the little children ♪ That round the table go ♪ Love and joy come to you ♪ And to you glad Christmas too ♪ ♪ And God bless you and send you a happy new year ♪ ♪ And God send you a happy new year ♪ ♪ O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree ♪ ♪ How lovely are thy branches ♪ O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree ♪ ♪ How lovely are thy branches ♪ Not only green when summer's here ♪ ♪ But in the coldest time of year ♪ ♪ O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree ♪ ♪ How lovely are thy branches ♪ O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree ♪ ♪ How lovely are thy branches ♪ Not only green when summer's here ♪ ♪ But in the coldest time of year ♪ ♪ O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree ♪ ♪ You are my old beloved ("I Saw Three Ships") ♪ I saw three ships come sailing in ♪ ♪ On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day ♪ ♪ I saw three ships come sailing in ♪ ♪ On Christmas Day in the morning ♪ ♪ And what was in those ships all three ♪ ♪ On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day ♪ ♪ And what was in those ships all three ♪ ♪ On Christmas Day in the morning ♪ ♪ O, they sailed into Bethlehem ♪ ♪ On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day ♪ ♪ O, they sailed into Bethlehem ♪ ♪ On Christmas Day in the morning ♪ ♪ And all the bells on Earth shall ring ♪ ♪ On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day ♪ ♪ And all the bells on Earth shall ring ♪ ♪ On Christmas Day in the morning ♪ ♪ And all the bells on earth should ring ♪ ♪ On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day ♪ ♪ And all the bells on earth should ring ♪ ♪ On Christmas Day ♪ On Christmas Day ♪ On Christmas Day ♪ In the morning (audience applauding) (audience cheering) (applause) - How is that?

Don't they sound awesome?

They sound great.

Now, as I said, it's the 46th year of “Magic of Christmas and there are many musicians and singers here on stage who have been performing magic for quite a while.

And I want to recognize all of those.

But before I do this, I want to welcome everybody for whom it is the very first “Magic” performance starting with everyone here on stage.

So for whom is this the very first time playing or singing “Magic of Christmas”?

Why don't you stand?

Alright, welcome.

(applause) Welcome.

How about in the audience?

For whom is it the first time in the audience?

Why don't you stand?

Welcome.

Welcome.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

To many more.

To many more.

How about now we're going to, who has performed at least five performances of “Magic of Christmas”?

Five.

How about we raised the ante level?

10.

10.

Alright.

At least 10.

Wonderful, wonderful.

How about 20?

We're at 20 years of “Magic of Christmas”.

20 years of “Magic of Christma” Amazing.

That's good.

How about in the audience?

Ballpark it.

20 times of “Magic of Christma” I know there are several of you.

Yes.

One, two.

Wonderful.

Thank you.

20 years.

Excellent, excellent.

How about 30?

We're at 30 years of “Magic of Christmas”.

Are you still in the game?

No.

30 years.

Anyone?

Yes, we have 30 years.

Okay, thank you.

Wonderful.

40 years.

We had 40 years of “Magic of Christmas”.

40 years.

Are you still in the game?

40 years.

40 years.

Who's counting?

Right?

Who's counting?

Okay.

How about 41, 42, 43, 44, 0, 45, 45, 46.

Art is the winner.

That's excellent.

Now we come to one of the “Magic” favorites and that is the “Sleigh Ride”.

And as far as I'm concerned, I always need more sleigh bell.

And so we hired an extra crew of sleigh bellers, taken from the children's chorus and our principal percussionist Richard, will give them a short crash course in sleigh bell playing, which turns out to be highly complicated.

So welcome Richard and the crew.

Yeah.

- Hello Eckart.

Yes.

And thank you for introducing us over the years.

We have trained many, many dozen sleigh bellers and it's fun always doing this with the kids.

So thank you.

So I'm Richard, who are you?

- Grace.

- Hi, grace.

- Milo.

- Hello.

Nice hat.

- Maya.

Maya.

- Hello.

Okay, so does anybody play an instrument?

What do you play?

- Clarinet.

Clarinet, piano.

Piano, clarinet and piano.

Clarinet - And piano.

Okay, so, so now it's gonna be clarinet and sleigh bells, clarinet and sleigh bells, clarinet, piano and sleigh bells.

But guess what?

Sleigh bells are a lot harder than clarinet or piano.

So quick lesson to get you ready.

All right.

So first you need an instrument.

Here you go.

Why don't you take one out.

Take one out.

Great.

Does anybody know how to play sleigh bells?

You do.

Go ahead and show us.

Alright.

So try that.

Now, does your hand ever hurt when you do that?

A little bit.

If it does, you can shake it sideways if you wanna do that.

All right.

Ready to go?

You're all trained.

Okay.

It is quite complicated.

You were right.

So, but they need to, we've gotta make this official.

So repeat after me.

I will.

I will not drop.

- Not drop.

- I'm looking right at you.

The sleigh bells.

The sleigh bells.

You two are good, I promise.

- I promise.

- Two outta three are ready to go.

Okay.

- I always think if they drop or not, it's the same sound at the end.

It is all the same sound.

Now let's also please welcome to the stage our guest conductor, Ellory Ellorys here (applause) ("Sleigh Ride") (applause) We are at the end of our concert.

Thank you so much for coming and celebrating with us.

You've been a wonderful audience.

I hope you enjoyed yourself as well.

I want to thank everyone here on stage who made music, starting of course with our organist, James Kennerly (applause) and our fantastic singer.

Julia, please, I wanna thank the “Magic of Christmas Chorus” and it's director.

Hentus van Rooyan and the PSO Children's Choir and Matt LeBerge.

And last but not least, the fantastic musicians of the Portland Symphony Orchestra.

We all here on stage wish you Happy Holidays.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year.

Hope that you will join us again and we also hope that you will join us for the Sing Along.

Now, if you're a little bit uncertain about the lyrics, no worries.

The lyrics are in your program book.

And as we all singers here, know, it is much easier to sing when you stand.

So why don't you, if you can stand up and sing with us, our sing along.

("Christmas Sing-Along") ♪ Jingle Bells, jingle bells ♪ Jingle all the way ♪ Oh what fun it is to ride ♪ In a one horse open sleigh ♪ Hey ♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells ♪ Jingle all the way ♪ Oh what fun it is to ride ♪ In a one horse open sleigh ♪ Dashing through the snow ♪ In a one horse open sleigh ♪ Over the hills we go ♪ Laughing all the way ♪ Ha, ha, ha ♪ Bells on Bobtails ring ♪ Making spirits bright ♪ What fun it is to ride and sing ♪ ♪ A sleighing song tonight ♪ Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells ♪ ♪ Jingle all the way ♪ Oh what fun it is to ride ♪ In a one horse open sleigh ♪ Hey ♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells ♪ Jingle all the way ♪ Oh what fun it is to ride ♪ In a one horse open sleigh ♪ Joy to the world ♪ The Lord is come ♪ Let Earth receive her King ♪ Let every heart prepare Him room ♪ ♪ And heaven and nature sing ♪ And heaven and nature sing ♪ And heaven and heaven and nature sing ♪ ♪ Deck the halls with boughs of holly ♪ ♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la ♪ Tis the season to be jolly ♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la ♪ Don we now our gay apparel ♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la ♪ Troll the ancient Yuletide carol ♪ ♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la ♪ O come, all ye faithful ♪ Joyful and triumphant ♪ O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem ♪ ♪ Come and behold Him ♪ Born the King of angels ♪ O come, let us adore Him ♪ O come, let us adore Him ♪ O come, let us adore Him ♪ Christ the Lord ♪ Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation ♪ ♪ Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above ♪ ♪ Glory to God ♪ Glory in the highest ♪ O come, let us adore Him ♪ O come, let us adore Him ♪ O come, let us adore Him ♪ Christ the Lord (audience cheering) (audience applauding) ("We Wish You A Merry Christmas") ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a happy New Year ♪ ♪ Good tidings we bring to you and your kin ♪ ♪ Good tidings for Christmas and a happy New Year ♪ ♪ Now bring us some figgy pudding ♪ ♪ Now bring us some figgy pudding ♪ ♪ Now bring us some figgy pudding, and bring some right here ♪ ♪ Good tidings we bring to you and your kin ♪ ♪ Good tidings for Christmas and a happy New Year ♪ ♪ We won't go until we get some ♪ ♪ We won't go until we get some ♪ ♪ We won't go until we get some, so bring some right here ♪ ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ And a Happy New Year (audience applauding) (audience cheering) ("White Christmas") ♪ I'm dreaming of a white Christmas ♪ ♪ Just like the ones I used to know ♪ ♪ Where the treetops glisten ♪ And children listen ♪ To hear sleigh bells in the snow ♪ ♪ I'm dreaming of a white Christmas ♪ ♪ With every Christmas card I write ♪ ♪ May your days be merry and bright ♪ ♪ And may all your Christmases be white ♪