The Ponca City High School Symphony Orchestra and Chorale will take the stage Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the Ponca City Schools Concert Hall. Admission for this concert is free, and the public is invited to attend.
The Ponca City High School Symphony Orchestra is under the direction of Paula Cochran, with assistant directors Katie Hauge and Dylan Labon. The Symphony winds, brass, and percussion are prepared and rehearsed by Po-Hi Band Director Connor Pratt. The Ponca City High School Chorale is under the direction of Chad Keilman, with assistant director Katie Nichols.
The Po-Hi Chorale opens the program with O Come, O Come, Emmanuel arranged by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw. Immediately following is Bob Cerulli’s arrangement of the holiday favorite It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, conducted by Po-Hi Symphony Orchestra Director Paula Cochran.
Continuing the concert, the Po-Hi Chorale will perform Ola Gjeilo’s Ecce Novum, accompanied by the Symphony strings under the baton of retired Maestro Dan Larson. Symphony Orchestra Director Paula Cochran will accompany on piano. We then invite Connor Pratt to the stage to lead the Symphony strings and winds in Patrick Roszell’s arrangement of Holiday Mash-Up. Next, the Po-Hi Chorale will sing from the balcony as they present an exciting performance of Peter J. Wilhousky’s arrangement of Carol of the Bells.
Concluding this portion of the concert, the Po-Hi Symphony Strings will perform The Gift by William Hofeldt. The Symphony Strings earned three superior ratings on this piece at the OSSAA Regional Orchestra Contest.
Continuing the program, the Po-Hi Chorale will perform Ed Lojeski’s arrangement of Patapan. The Po-Hi Symphony Orchestra will then perform an exciting arrangement of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra favorite Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24, conducted by retired Maestro Dan Larson.
We will then welcome back to the stage Chad Keilman, who will lead the Po-Hi Chorale and Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Jacob Narverud’s arrangement of Long Ago. Concluding the concert, Dan Larson will conduct Leroy Anderson’s A Christmas Festival. The audience is invited to sing along with the Po-Hi Chorale on the traditional Christmas songs featured in this piece.
Join us Tuesday, December 9, at 7 p.m. for a fabulous night of music!