Hit the town for some holiday merriment


Music Director Todd Rovelli reviews music with the Saint Cecilia Church Youth Choir of Wilbraham for the upcoming "Sing We Now of Christmas" show at the church on Dec. 14. The concert will feature a 23-piece orchestra and the combined youth and adult choirs of Saint Cecilia and the adult choir of Saint Adalbert Church in Enfield, Conn. Reminder Publications photo by Lori Szepelak

By Lori Szepelak

Correspondent

Longtime friends Todd Rovelli and Tony Romeo are bringing together almost 100 talented singers and musicians for two "Sing We Now of Christmas" concerts that should be on everyone's "to do" holiday list.

Rovelli serves as music director at Saint Cecilia Church on Main Street, Wilbraham, while Romeo performs similar duties at Saint Adalbert Church on Alden Avenue in Enfield, Conn. For the past several months, both men have been working diligently to put together the program on Dec. 14 at Saint Cecilia and on Dec. 15 at Saint Adalbert.

"One day over lunch, the idea came up and we decided that it would be both a challenge for us and an enjoyable concert for the community," Rovelli said during an interview with Reminder Publications.

Their "mass" choir of 70 voices will consist of the Saint Adalbert Adult Choir and Saint Cecilia's Adult and Youth Choirs, including its cantors.

Since early September, choir members have been preparing for the holiday event which is being billed as a concert of sacred Christmas favorites.

"This is our first combined effort with an orchestra of this size," said Rovelli, noting the 23-pieces planned.

"We chose musicians we've worked successfully with over the years," said Rovelli. "They represent some of the finest musicians in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts."

Rovelli added that he and Romeo chose songs that should be familiar to all, but they also picked interesting, fresh arrangements for some of the songs, including "O' Holy Night" and "Mary Did You Know."

"If we survive, we may consider doing a concert of this magnitude every two or three years, but probably not annually," he said.

During a rehearsal of the youth choir and cantors on the early evening of Nov. 19, the singers came in from the cold and into the warmth of the church which was dimly lit with the exception of the altar and rehearsal area.

As Rovelli coaxed their voices to project throughout the expansive church, it was clear that the music being rehearsed was familiar to all and everyone appeared to be delighted to be a part of the upcoming concerts.

Prior to the start of rehearsal, Brianna Stockhamer, 11, of East Longmeadow, noted her passion for singing led her to want to be a part of the show since all of the songs she will be performing are her "favorites," while Colin Geaghan, 14, of Wilbraham, wanted to branch out from a young person's choir he had previously sang in.

"I believe that a concert like this really sets the tone for the season," Rovelli added. "How often will a person have the opportunity to enjoy the talent of approximately 100 musicians?"

Rovelli noted that he and Romeo have taken great care to choose music which is familiar but will also be fresh and inspiring.

Concerts are slated Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Saint Cecilia Church, 42 Main St., Wilbraham, and on Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Saint Adalbert Church, 90 Alden Ave., Enfield, Conn. Admission is free, however, donations will be accepted.

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Whether it is music, theater, dance, or meeting with Santa Claus that puts one in the holiday spirit, there are ample opportunities across the valley in the coming weeks to experience all that the holiday season offers for young and old. A sampling by date follows:

Nov. 21 - Jan. 1: Spirit of Springfield's Bright Nights at Forest Park in Springfield offers New England's largest holiday lighting display, week nights from 6 to 9 p.m., and weekends from 6 to 11 p.m. Santa Claus also stops in for a visit to Santa's Magical Forest on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in December to meet with children to review their wish lists. For more information on per vehicle fees, visit www.spiritofspringfield.org or call 733-3800.

Dec. 4: The Springfield College Singers and Band will present its annual holiday music concert at 7:30 p.m. in Marsh Memorial Chapel. Springfield College is located at 263 Alden St., Springfield. For more information, visit www.spfldcol.edu.

Dec. 5: The Massachusetts Academy of Ballet presents "Nutcracker and Sweets" at 6 p.m. in the historic setting of the Wistariahurst Museum, 238 Cabot St., Holyoke. A dessert reception follows the performance. Tickets are $10. For more information, call 322-5660 or visit www.wistariahurst.org.

Dec. 5 and 6, 12 and 13: The Westfield Theatre Group, a division of the Westfield Woman's Club, will stage a Christmas show titled "The Littlest Angel." For tickets and show times, call 572-6838. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.

Dec. 5-7, 12-13: The Exit 7 Players in Ludlow are staging "Nuncrackers," the Nunsense Christmas musical that stars Father Virgil and 10 of Mount Saint Helen's most talented students. Tickets are $17 for preferred seating, $14 for adults and $12 for seniors and children 12 and younger. To make a reservation, visit www.exit7players.com for more details.

Dec. 5: A Polar Express Story Time is planned at 7 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 7 Holyoke St., Holyoke. Children are welcome to come in their pajamas for a bedtime story filled with holiday spirit. Call 532-3200 for details.

Dec. 6: The YMCA of Greater Westfield on Court Street will host Breakfast with Santa Claus from 9 to 11 a.m. Enjoy a pancake breakfast and children can have their photo taken with Santa. A choral presentation is also planned at 9:30 a.m. Tickets are $5 for children, $7 for adults.

Dec. 6: Ed Popielarczyk's Holiday Magic Spectacular at the Eastfield Mall on Boston Road in Springfield will feature a show of magic and illusion from 10 to 11 a.m. in the food court area. Children will receive a free gift after the show and can visit with Santa. Free. Call 543-8000 for details.

Dec. 6 and 7: Holiday musical performances will fill the air at Yuletide at Storrowton on the grounds of the historic Storrowton Village Museum at the Eastern States Exposition, Memorial Avenue, West Springfield. In addition to musical presentations both days in the Meetinghouse, two presentations are planned: "A Lamplighter's Life: Early Street Lighting in America," Saturday at noon and Sunday at 3 p.m., and "A Visit with Henry David Thoreau: Walden's Visitors in Winter," on Sunday at noon. Caroling and tree lighting on the Gazebo will end each day at 4 p.m. The Storrowton Village Gift Shop and Christmas Shop will also be open during the two-day event, as well as the 19th century buildings and houses featuring the work of area garden clubs, florists and designers. For more information, call 205-5051 or visit www.TheBigE.com. All events are free.

Dec. 6 and 7: The Springfield Symphony Orchestra presents its annual Holiday Pops concerts at Symphony Hall in downtown Springfield Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. Expect such favorites as "Sleigh Ride," "Skater's Waltz," "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "Silent Night," as well as an audience sing-along. As an added bonus, children can have their photo taken with Santa. For tickets and more information, call 733-2291 or visit www.springfieldsymphony.org.

Dec. 6 and 7 and 13 and 14: Novi Cantori, a professional choir of 19 whose performances are reminiscent of an English cathedral choir, will perform Dec. 6 at 3:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, Westfield; Dec. 7, 5:30 p.m., at St. Stanislaus Basilica in Chicopee; Dec. 13, 3 p.m., at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Longmeadow, and Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. at the Old Meetinghouse in Granville. For more information, visit www.novicantori.org.

Dec. 7: The New Valley Singers present a holiday concert of contemporary and traditional carols beginning at 3 p.m. at the Wistariahurst Museum, 238 Cabot St., Holyoke. Admission is $7. For more information, call 322-5660 or visit www.wistariahurst.org.

Dec. 8-13: Storrowton Village Museum, an educational arm of the Eastern States Exposition, Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, will host Yuletide Open House Tours of its 19th century buildings and houses from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Dec. 10, a Yuletide Lantern Light Tour is planned from 6 to 8 p.m. Tours are $5 each and children under six are admitted free. For more information, call 205-5051 or visit www.TheBigE.com.

Dec. 10: Bay Path College on Longmeadow Street in Longmeadow presents its annual Winterfest, a celebration of the winter solstice, at 7:30 p.m. in Mills Theatre, Carr Hall. Winterfest intertwines the themes of light, hope, goodwill and peace for all people. Free. For information, call (800) 782-7284.

Dec. 13: "The Harper and the Minstrel" is a holiday show for all ages, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Captain Charles Leonard House, 663 Main St., Agawam. Tickets are $14 reserved, $18 at the door. Call 786-9421 for details.

Dec. 14: The Holyoke Civic Symphony will present its holiday show titled "Sleigh Ride: A Leroy Anderson Centennial Celebration" at 3 p.m. at the Forum at Holyoke Community College, 303 Homestead Ave., Holyoke. Free.

For museum goers in the coming weeks, the largest museum display of toy soldiers in New England is now on view at the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum. "Toy Soldiers: History in Miniature" features thousands of toy soldiers and military miniatures arranged in 20 dioramas of historical scenes from ancient Egypt to World War II. For museum information, call 263-6800 or visit www.springfieldmuseums.org.

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