Holiday Classics

Robert J. Seebacher – Guest Conductor

Kevin Thompson, bass

Mobile’s Singing Children

Our Christmas concerts are a highly anticipated Gulf Coast family tradition, and this year we feature a thrilling blend of popular and classical favorites in Holiday Classics! Robert J. Seebacher, a popular former music director of the Mobile Symphony Youth Orchestra, returns as our guest conductor. Celebrated bass Kevin Thompson, a hit in opera houses around the globe, will thrill the audience with classics like Ave Maria and modern hits like the humorous You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch. Wait till you hear him sing O Holy Night! Mobile’s Singing Children, everyone’s favorite children’s choir, is back with us performing an array of favorites from We Wish You a Merry Christmas to Somewhere in My Memory from John Williams’ score to Home Alone. And, as always, you’ll have your own time to shine as we all join in an epic holiday sing-along, giving everyone the thrilling experience of singing their favorite carols backed by a full symphony orchestra. Buy your tickets now for the biggest and best Christmas concert on the Gulf Coast.

Robert J. Seebacher – Guest Conductor

Mobile audiences know Robert J. Seebacher for his years as music director of the Mobile Symphony Youth Orchestra, and we’re happy to welcome him back as guest conductor for this season holiday concert.

Dr. Seebacher is Music Director and Conductor of the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra in Tennessee, Marlene and David Grissom Associate Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Programs at Centre College, and Assistant Conductor of the National Chorale in New York. Previously, he was Director of Orchestras and conductor of opera at the University of South Alabama and Music Director of the Mobile Symphony Youth Orchestra. He has appeared with the Lexington Philharmonic, Youngstown Symphony, Salt Lake Symphony, Warren Philharmonic, and Mobile Symphony Orchestras.

Kevin Thompson, bass

Kevin Thompson, acclaimed by the New York Times as a “stentorian bass,” “possesses a voice with extraordinary range, depth, color combined with a commanding stage presence … a mountain of a voice, with resonance from the Escorial of Philip II to the throne of Boris Godunov, and the majestic court of Sarastro.” (San Francisco Classical Voice).

He has performed with opera companies throughout the nation, including most recently with  Washington National Opera, Utah Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Opera Omaha, Odyssey Opera, Opera Colorado and the Dallas Opera. Thompson has performed in opera houses and concert venues throughout the world, under the baton of many an esteemed conductor, including Austria, Bulgaria, China, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, South America, Switzerland and the United States.

Thompson was born in Washington, D.C. He is an alumnus of The Juilliard School in New York, San Francisco Opera’s prestigious Merola Program, and the Santa Fe Opera Program.

Mobile’s Singing Children

Directed by Susan Hoitt, Mobile’s Singing Children is the premier youth chorus on the northern Gulf Coast. Advanced studies in music theory, sight singing and intense rehearsal time enable performers to sing music of the highest quality. The Concert Choir anchors a group of four age- and skill-appropriate ensembles.

Since its founding in 1977, MSC has toured and performed in Europe, Canada and numerous states in the U.S. The choir was featured on National Public Radio’s “From the Top” and named Official Children’s Choir for Mobile’s Tri-Centennial Celebration Silver Anniversary Concert Series. As the official children’s choir for the Mobile Symphony, MSC has performed in MSO concerts as varied as holiday events and the monumental Carmina Burana.