On Saturday, Hamer Hall was filled with festive anticipation as children aged five to nine, accompanied by parents, carers and siblings, gathered for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Classic Kids concert, A Symphonic Christmas. The foyer hummed with excitement, energy and the irresistible scent of buttered popcorn as families made their way into the auditorium.
The orchestra entered the stage adorned with reindeer antlers, tinsel and even twinkling Christmas lights— special mention must be made of the particularly dazzling first violin. Following a musical Acknowledgement of Country, the concert opened with a warm arrangement of the beloved carol Do You Hear What I Hear?, before guest soloist Jess Hitchcock joined the orchestra for a truly magical performance of O Holy Night. The program then turned to Tchaikovsky’s timeless ballet The Nutcracker, beginning with its iconic overture.
In a playful and imaginative segment, the conductor produced a sack of toys, each inspiring a musical selection. A toy soldier introduced the March of the Toy Soldiers, while a toy plum heralded the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Young audience members were then invited to participate in a conducting lesson, enthusiastically waving their arms along to the lively Russian dance, the Trepak.
The festive spirit continued as a soft toy reindeer and a set of sleigh bells emerged from the sack, welcoming Jess Hitchcock back to the stage for an energetic sing-along of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and a delightfully Australian rendition of Jingle Bells. The audience swayed contentedly to the elegant Waltz of the Flowers, another highlight from The Nutcracker.
To conclude the concert, Hitchcock returned once more to lead a heartfelt sing-along of Silent Night, followed by her performance of the Christmas hit Let It Snow, bringing the joyful morning to a warm and memorable close.
Image supplied.
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Sophie Arnold reviewed “A Symphonic Christmas”, presented by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall ob Saturday December 13, 2025.
