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Chicago Symphony Chorus
Merry, Merry Chicago!
Dec 19-23, 2025
Overview
There’s nothing like hearing holiday music played by a world-renowned orchestra and chorus. Head to Orchestra Hall — decked in boughs of holly — for a program of popular carols, holiday favorites and festive surprises. Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Chorus perform lavish, stirring arrangements that are sure to inspire holiday cheer in all.
Program
Coleridge-Taylor (arr. Baynes)
Christmas Overture
Traditional (arr. Bradford)
Angels We Have Heard on High
Pinkham
Gloria from Christmas Cantata
Bizet
Carillon from L’arlésienne, Suite No. 1
Leontovych/Wilhousky (arr. Bradford)
Carol of the Bells
Anderson
Sleigh Ride
Bonds
Alleluia from The Ballad of the Brown King
Jessel (arr. Gould)
The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
(arr. Braz)
Suite of Carols
Johann Strauss, Jr.
Overture to Die Fledermaus
Mendelssohn (arr. Mounsey)
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Fry
Christmas in Chicago
Waldteufel
The Skaters Waltz
Traditional (arr. Shaw/Bennett)
The Many Moods of Christmas, Suite No. 4
Performers
Extras
Enhance your concert experience.
Preconcert Dining
Explore Symphony Center’s on-site dining options for a seamless preconcert experience. Preorder a Sound Bites meal to enjoy in the Rotunda before the concert — or make a reservation to dine at the Thomas Club, offering a prix fixe menu featuring traditional American fare and a spectacular view of Lake Michigan. View menus and learn more »
Preconcert and Intermission Performances
Audience members can enjoy seasonal favorites preconcert and during intermission, when school and community ensembles perform throughout Symphony Center.
CSO African American Network Reception
On Sunday, December 21 before the 4:30 p.m. performance the CSO African American Network will host a preconcert event. Tickets required for entry. Learn more about the event at CSO AAN »
Noche navideña
On Saturday, December 20 the CSO Latino Alliance will host the annual Noche navideña to gather friends and family for the holiday celebration. Tickets required for entry. Learn more about the event at CSO Latino Alliance »
Sponsors & Partners
The appearance of the Chicago Symphony Chorus has been made possible by a generous gift from The Grainger Foundation.
Discover more on Experience CSO
When Donald Palumbo became choral director of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, he was immediately excited about getting to participate in the ensemble’s annual Merry, Merry Chicago! program.
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The key to programming a successful holiday choral concert starts with selecting repertoire that ideally strikes a balance between comfortingly familiar and engagingly exotic.
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“Every concert is a springboard for great creativity,” says conductor John Morris Russell, who doesn't see any great divides among genres or audiences. “They’re there to hear music. And we’re there to share it with them."
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