The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Julien Benichou, will usher in the holiday season celebration with its popular “Holiday Joy” concert. The MSO will present an exciting program of orchestral and vocal music, including selections from Handel’s Messiah and Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, and traditional seasonal favorites. The performance will take place on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 7:30 pm at the Mariner’s Bethel Church, Route 26 and Central Avenue, Ocean View, DE.

This year, the MSO will showcase six soloists from the Morgan State University Opera Workshop. The MSUOW, noted for excellence in vocal and theater training, is drawn from one of the nation’s most prestigious choral ensembles. The soloists performing are Dimery Bowery, Soprano, Leah Hawkins, Mezzo-Soprano, Patrick Dailey, Tenor, Antonio Chase, Tenor, Benjamin Taylor, Baritone, and Vincent Stringer, Artistic Director and Bass-Baritone.

You won’t want to miss this exhilarating holiday celebration with nationally recognized singers and the highly professional MSO musicians. The concert will come to a joyful conclusion with the much loved audience sing-along: the Hallelujah from Handel’s Messiah. Individual tickets are $39.75 adult, $15.00 student, and $5.00 for children under 12. For tickets and information, please call 1-888-846-8600 or visit the MSO Website www.middatlanticsymphony.org where the season brochure and ticket order form can be downloaded by clicking on “Tickets”.

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, a non-profit organization, is supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Maryland State Arts Council, the Sussex County Council, the Talbot County Arts Council, the Worcester County Arts Council, the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, the Quiet Resorts Charitable Foundation, the Carl M. Freeman Foundation and the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, as well as donations from individuals and corporations.