CHRISTMAS CONCERT 2025

The NSA’s 3rd Annual Christmas Concert was curated and conducted by a2. orchestra Artistic Director Josh Spirek, with a program centred around a traditional Christmas and the music that has become part of its story. Familiar carols including In the Bleak Midwinter, Gabriel’s Message and Silent Night were given new arrangements, including a sweeping symphonic treatment inspired by Richard Strauss. Alongside these were Mozart’s The Magic Flute Overture, Sibelius’ Finlandia, Stravinsky’s The Firebird finale and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, creating a program that balanced tradition with a fresh take on familiar music.

Performed by the 54-piece a2. orchestra and 20-voice Winthrop Singers at the Taryn Fiebig Concert Hall, the concert brought together orchestral music, traditional carols and audience sing-alongs including Good King Wenceslas, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and O Come, All Ye Faithful. The program was designed to celebrate Christmas through the music, stories and traditions that make the season feel familiar, while finding new ways to bring those traditions to life.


Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Magic Flute Overture
Harold Darke - In The Bleak Midwinter (arr. Spirek)
Jean Sibelius - Finlandia
Edgar Pettman - Gabriels Message (arr. Spirek)
George Frideric Handel - Hallelujah Chorus
Josh Spirek - Silent Night, a Symphonic Poem
Igor Stravinsky - Finale from Firebird
Dmitri Shostakovich - Tahiti Trot
Traditional - Good King Wenceslas (arr. Spirek)
Traditional - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (arr. Spirek)
Traditional - We Wish You a Merry Christmas (arr. Spirek)
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - 1812 Overture
Traditional - O Come, All ye Faithful (arr. Spirek)