“Under the Mistletoe” isn’t a location, it’s the title of the symphony’s Dec. 7 concert at Fort Dodge Middle School.

The concert will feature the world premiere of a new holiday tune from a teenaged Iowa composer.

It will feature Fort Dodge native Michael Richardson singing favorites like “White Christmas.”

And the symphony will play selections from “The Nutcracker.”

-Messenger file photo
Amanda Warren, of Fort Dodge, plays Violin II during the Fort Dodge Area Symphony’s “Musical Landscapes” concert at Fort Dodge Middle School.

“It is going to be a great afternoon,” said Joshua Barlage, the music director of the Fort Dodge Area Symphony.

“It’s a place for families,” he added. “This is not a stodgy, cold and uninviting atmosphere. We want to share all of our passion and joy.”

The concert will begin at 3 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Fort Dodge Middle School, 800 N. 32nd St.

Admission is by season membership or $15 at the door.

Students and children accompanied by an adult will be admitted free.

-Messenger file photo
Lauren Jensen, of Mason City, and Brian Robison, of Fort Dodge, play the bass during the Fort Dodge Area Symphony’s “Musical Landscapes” concert at Fort Dodge Middle School.

Barlage said last year the symphony performed a song composed by Adalyn Sidon, 16, of Des Moines. The reaction to the music was overwhelmingly positive, he said.

“The orchestra and the audience went nuts with this piece,” he said.

Barlage said he needed an opening number for the Christmas concert, so he asked Sidon to write something.

The song Sidon composed is called “Festive Flurries.” Barlage said it has a “robust festive opening” and notes from some very familiar Christmas songs.

Richardson, an elementary music teacher at St. Edmond Catholic School, will sing “The Christmas Song.” If that title doesn’t sound familiar to people the song’s opening line probably will because many people have heard “chestnuts roasting on an open fire.”

He will also sing “White Christmas,” “Mary Did You Know?” and an aria from “Creation” by Haydn.

“He is going to knock the socks off this audience,” Barlage said.

One of the symphony’s cellists, Ashley Augspurger, will solo on a piece called “Elegie.”

If You Go

What: “Under the Mistletoe”

concert by the Fort Dodge

Area Symphony

When: 3 p.m. Dec. 7

Where: Fort Dodge Middle School, 800 N. 32nd St.

Admission is by season membership

or $15 at the door. Students and

children accompanied by an

adult are admitted free.