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Reviews
Holiday
Concert shows quality of ISO, guests
A
review by Nick Rogers, Arts & Entertainment Writer
(As written in the State Journal
Register December 21, 2003)
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Five
scheduled guest artists - and one cutely precocious surprise one - joined the
ISO Saturday night for "Home for the Holidays," a two-hour celebration
of holiday classics and customs. The stage was festooned with Christmas
lights, a decorated tree,
 plenty of poinsettias and the occasional Santa cap
worn by an orchestra member.
"Joyous
Noel" was the evening's spirited opener, a lively piece where the ISO
joined with Bells In Motion, the wonderful Springfield handbell choir.
Again, Bells In Motion offered proof they're just as fun to look at as they are
to hear, their vibrant and melodic chimes frequently the result of swift-handed
spinning to shift from one handbell to the next.
A
majestic rendition of "Carol of the Bells" followed, with a solo
introduction from the handbell ensemble and, ultimately, a towering fill-in of
vocals from the Illinois Symphony Chorus. "We Three Kings,"
Bells In Motion's final co-performance, was a rapid piece that they handled with
their traditionally professional ease. . . . .
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