Both Broadway Presbyterian Church and First United Methodist Church Celebration Center were filled to capacity with concert-goers for the Sedalia Symphony Society's annual Christmas concerts, which were held on Sunday and Monday.

The Sedalia Symphony Ensemble and Community Choir presented the Christmas portion of Handel's Messiah on Sunday, under the direction of Sandy Cordes. 2018 marked the 30th year that Cordes has directed Messiah in Sedalia. Cheryl McCollester was on piano, and Debbie Mueller played the organ. Soloists included Lucy Lemke Clark, Levi Hudnut, Brendan Hurley, Leah Meyer and Kelsey Young. Musicians from nearly 20 local churches participated in the performance.

The following night, the Sedalia Symphony Society's Christmas Pops concert took place at the First United Methodist Church Celebration Center. The orchestra performed a variety of traditional selections, in addition to Russian Christmas music and songs from popular Christmas film and television specials. The Christmas Pops Concert was the first under the direction of the Sedalia Symphony's new conductor, Luke Lyons, who is only the fourth conductor in the symphony's 84 year history. The orchestra was joined by Smith-Cotton Junior High School's Sound Effects and Soundstation choirs under the direction of Levi Hudnut.

Upcoming concert from the Sedalia Symphony Society in 2019 include performances from The MU Singers on February 25, and the Harold J. Johnston Memorial Scholarship Recipients on April 15 at the Heckart Performing Arts Center.

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