American Festival Pops Orchestra makes the holiday season merry at Hylton Center

Under the baton of Maestro Anthony Maiello, the talented musicians of the American Festival Pops Orchestra perform a festive program of the season’s most popular songs, including cherished Christmas carols and holiday favorites.  “Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season” will be at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on Friday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. and at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m.

Performed by 60 of the D.C. metropolitan area’s finest musicians, this joyous concert is one of the most popular holiday traditions in Northern Virginia.

The program features a special arrangement of “Jingle Bells” performed by AFPO’s brass quintet, a jazz trio medley of popular holiday tunes, and the orchestra’s annual performance of Leroy Anderson’s jubilant “Sleigh Ride!”

Associate director and university professor in George Mason University’s School of Music, Maestro Anthony Maiello makes professional appearances throughout the United States and abroad, conducting music festivals, adjudicating ensembles and presenting lectures, clinics and workshops.

He has served as conductor of the Gold Medal Ceremonies at the 1980 Winter Olympics; musical director for Music Festivals International; associate conductor of the McLean Orchestra in McLean, Va.; and honorary conductor of the United States Navy Band. He was also a participant in the National Conducting Institute with Leonard Slatkin and the National Symphony Orchestra, to which he has lent his services as a cover conductor.

After AFPO’s inaugural season in 2009-2010, he was inducted into the Bands of America Hall of Fame in Indianapolis. In 2012, Maiello was awarded the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia “Signature Award” for promoting music in America. He is the author of “Conducting Nuances” (GIA Publications, Inc.) and “Conducting: A Hands-On-Approach” (Warner Bros./Alfred Publications).

Preperformance discussions, free to ticket holders, will be held at 7:15 p.m. in the Buchanan Partners Art Gallery at the Hylton Center and Grand Tier III at the Center for the Arts.

Ticket Information: Tickets to American Festival Pops Orchestra’s “Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season” are $54, $46 and $32 per person. Youth Discount: tickets are half price for children and youth through grade 12. Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season is a family-friendly performance.

Novant Health is the 2015-2016 Hylton Presents Season Sponsor

The Hylton Performing Arts Center is located on George Mason University’s Prince William Campus at 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, Va., 20110.

Tickets available at the Hylton Performing Arts Center ticket office, by phone at 888-945-2468, or online at HyltonCenter.org.  Ticket office hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free parking is available in the lot next to the Hylton Center.