SMSO's Merry & Bright on Sat., Dec. 13

November 25, 2025

CommunityGeneral News ArticlePress Release

SMSO’s “Merry & Bright” Brings Holiday Magic to Southwest Michigan

Celebrate the Season with Festive Favorites, Local Youth Choirs,
and a Chance to Conduct the Orchestra!

Benton Harbor, Mich. – The Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra invites the community to celebrate the magic of the season at Merry & Bright, a festive holiday pops concert on Saturday, December 13 at 6:30 PM at the Jenkins Theatre, LMC Mendel Center. Presented by Wales Wealth Management Group, this sparkling event is part of SMSO’s 75th Diamond Anniversary Season, marking three-quarters of a century of music-making in Southwest Michigan.

“Merry & Bright brings together the best of the season—joyful music, community voices, and even a chance for someone in the audience to step up and conduct,” said Matt Aubin, SMSO Music Director. “It’s a celebration of tradition and togetherness that truly reflects the spirit of Southwest Michigan.”

Audiences will enjoy beloved holiday classics including Polar Express, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Here We Come A-Caroling, alongside orchestral gems like Lucas Richman’s Hanukkah Festival Overture and Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.

Special Highlights:

Guest Narrator: Benton Harbor Commissioner Mamie Yarbrough will invite children in the audience to join her for an on-stage story time reading of The Night Before Christmas brought to life with music.

Surprise Guest Conductor: One lucky audience member will win the chance to lead the orchestra in Sleigh Ride after a quick “Conducting 101” lesson from Music Director Aubin.

Community Performers: Young voices from Berrien Springs and St. Joseph Public Schools join the orchestra to create a heartwarming showcase of community talent.

With an early start time of 6:30 PM, families can enjoy an evening of music and still head home in time for a cozy winter night.

Ticket info

Tickets are available for purchase online at www.smso.org or by calling our Box Office at 269-982-4030. Adult tickets start at $24, Youth tickets start at $12; children ages 5 and younger are Free (be sure to reserve their seat!). Group discount available. Tickets will also be available at the door at 5:30pm on the day of the event.

Performances like “Merry & Bright” are possible through individual donations and sponsors such as Presenting sponsor Wales Wealth Management Group, Gold concert sponsor, Corewell Health, and Silver Artist sponsor the Boulevard Inn and Bistro.

As the region’s oldest professional arts organization, SMSO is a cornerstone of cultural life in Southwest Michigan—bringing adventurous programming, world-class performances, and meaningful community engagement to audiences of all ages. From symphonic masterworks to innovative collaborations, our mission of Transforming All Lives Through Music embraces curiosity and creativity, making music accessible through education programs, free Pop-Up concerts, and outreach initiatives like Radical Acts of Music, which uses music to support mental health and well-being.