Arts Planner: Beethoven, ballets and history happy hour

A Concert for Columbia

When the South Carolina Philharmonic’s season-opener was postponed in the wake of the catastrophic flooding in October, Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony was an “obvious choice” for a make-up concert, music director Morihiko Nakahara said.

The show has been rescheduled and repackaged as a “Concert for Columbia” at the Koger Center Tuesday.

Beethoven’s technically demanding Ninth Symphony was the composer’s last and is one of the most well-known pieces in classical music. It begins with low string rumblings, escalates to explosive energy in the second movement and ends in a triumphant finale in which soloists and a chorus sing portions of Friedrich Schiller’s poem “Ode to Joy.”

The anthemic “Ode to Joy,” with its themes of brotherhood, freedom and overcoming hardship, offers a universal and hopeful message. In Schiller’s words set to Beethoven’s music, the new age will unify humanity and “all men shall become brothers.”

“With all that has happened in South Carolina and in the world during the last few months, it seems that Beethoven’s message of hope resonates even more powerfully than ever,” Nakahara said.

The concert is dedicated to the city of Columbia, Richland County and all first responders who protected Columbia during the October floods. First responders are eligible for a free ticket to the concert and their families for half-price admission. The S.C. Philharmonic will donate $1 from every ticket sold for the concert to the Central Carolina Community Foundation’s One SC-Flood Relief Fund.

The performance will feature vocal soloists Tina Millhorn Stallard, a soprano; mezzo soprano Janet Hopkins; tenor Adam Kirkpatrick; and bass singer Jacob Will. The audience will receive music and be invited to sing along during the “Ode to Joy” finale.

Nakahara will have a pre-concert lecture about the evening’s program at 6:30 p.m. in the Koger Center auditorium, free to all ticket-holders.

The Philharmonic also is looking for about 20 additional singers to fill out its choir. Singers must be able to attend two rehearsals at the Koger Center Monday and Tuesday. Call (803) 771-7937 or email Info@SCPhilharmonic.com to find out more or sign up.

“A Concert for Columbia” is 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Koger Center. It replaces “Northern Lights,” the 2015-16 Masterworks Series opener. All tickets purchased for “Northern Lights” will be honored at the rescheduled concert. Any patrons unable to use tickets on Dec. 8 may exchange them for a different Masterworks Series concert through the Koger Center Box Office, 1051 Greene St. General public tickets are $17-$47. www.KogerCenterForTheArts.com, (803) 251-2222

Two holiday ballets

Columbia City Ballet’s classic “The Nutcracker” returns to the Koger Center Dec. 12-13 and Dec. 19-20 with 36 professional dancers and around 200 local children performing. City Ballet’s “Nutcracker” is the longest consecutively running annual arts event at the Koger Center.

1051 Greene St., $20-$45. (803) 251-2222, www.kogercenterforthearts.com/

“The Two Claras” is a heart-warming contemporary rendition of “The Nutcracker” performed by pre-professional dancers of the Columbia City Jazz Company.

Dec. 11-12 at Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College, 7300 College St., Irmo. $13.50. (803) 407-5011, www.harbisontheatre.org/two-claras

Chamber Music on Main

The Columbia Museum of Art’s chamber concert series continues 7 p.m. Wednesday with the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Gustav Mahler, John Musto and Gabriel Fauré.

The concert is in the museum’s DuBose-Poston Reception Hall at 1515 Main St. $35 general public, $28 for museum members, $5 for students. (803) 799-2810, www.columbiamuseum.org/

Happy Hour History Program

Historic Columbia’s holiday event is one part happy hour, two parts history. Come dressed in festive attire for holiday trivia and a Christmas carol guessing game. Hot toddies and eggnog will be served, with beer and wine also available. There will also be a collection for Harvest Hope food donations.

5:30- 7 p.m. Friday at Seibels House, 1601 Richland St. $15 for members, $20 for non-members. (803) 252-7742, www.historiccolumbia.org/

This story was originally published December 4, 2015 at 12:27 AM with the headline "Arts Planner: Beethoven, ballets and history happy hour."