Dr. Greg Grabowski leads the Longview Symphony during a Home for the Holidays concert. (Matthew Nehrling/Courtesy Photo)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: The Longview Symphony will return to the stage Dec. 6 for its annual Home for the Holidays concert.

The music will start at 7 p.m. at the Belcher Center at LeTourneau University. Each year, the Home for the Holiday concert has audiences laughing, singing along and enjoying performances that bring in other groups in the community to help spread holiday cheer.

The most important man — and woman — of the season will be there as usual: Santa Flavious and an always elegantly attired Mrs. Claus. (Important note: Mrs. Claus is also Jo Popma, mother of Niki Groce, executive director of the Longview Symphony,)

“You will leave full of Christmas spirit and with a smile on your face,” Groce said. “It’s the happiest concert we do all year.”

The musical program is different each year, she said.

“Greg Grabowski is exceptional at programming,” Groce said of the symphony’s conductor. Grabowski has been director of orchestral activities at Stephen F. Austin State University since 2019.

Audience members can learn more about the featured music and composers during the “Opening Notes” presentation at 6:15 p.m. in the Allen Lobby on the first floor of the Belcher Center. Dr. Jamie Weaver, a professor at SFA, will present the lecture.

The Greater Longview Children’s Choir will take the stage during the concert, and members of the Hallsville High School Band will join the orchestra to perform the holiday favorite “Sleigh Ride.”

The fun doesn’t stop at the stage. Intermission features popular local performers Maryah McHam and Martyn Popey, free cookies, the Rudolph raffle benefitting the Longview Symphony and special guests, including Elsa from the movie “Frozen.”

Tickets are on sale at longviewsymphony.org/buy-tickets/. Prices range from $5 for children up to age 12 and $15 for students. Adult prices range from $22-$47.

“There is just something about this concert,” Groce said. “Even us behind the curtains — we’ve having a wonderful time.”

More information

Home for the Holiday program

Christmas Overture – Samuel Coleridge-Taylor – arr. Sydeny Baynes

Fairytale Sleighride – Adam Saunders

Three Selections from the Nutcracker – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

– Chinese Dance (Tea)

– Arabian Dance (Coffee)

– Spanish Dance (Chocolate)

Go Tell it on a Mountain – arr. Victor C. Johnson, orch. David Luna – Children’s Choir

Sing along:

– Hark the Herald Angels Sing

– Joy to the World

Christmas Song – Mel Torme and Robert Wells, arr. Bob Lowden

We Three Kings – arr. Matt Riley

– Intermission

Carol Fantasia – John Fox

Stille Nacht — arr. Chip Davis & Calvin Custer

The Night Before Christmas – Philip Lane

New Year Waltz – Thomas Hewitt Jones

Sleigh Ride – Leroy Anderson – Side by side

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – arr. John Whitney

Christmas Angels – Thomas Hewitt Jones