A Philly Holiday Spectacular
It’s not the holidays until the Pops Deck the Halls
Friday, December 11 @ 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 12 @ 2:00 pm
Sunday, December 13 @ 7:00 pm
Approximately 2 hours, including a 20-minute intermission
Marian Anderson Hall, Kimmel Center
300 South Broad StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19102 Buy Subscription Buy Tickets
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Philly’s favorite holiday tradition returns with A Philly Holiday Spectacular: where the season’s most beloved music comes to life. Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with a packed stage of Philly favorites, familiar faces, and rich, powerful voices.
Join us for A Philly Holiday Spectacular, and experience the holiday season the best way, together.
Featured Guests
Christopher Dragon
Conductor
Christopher Dragon
Conductor
Australian conductor Christopher Dragon is the Music Director of Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, newly appointed Music Director of the Philly Pops and is the Resident Conductor of the Colorado Symphony. He joined the Colorado Symphony in the 2015/2016 Season as Associate Conductor – a position he held for four years. For three years prior, Dragon held the inaugural position of Assistant Conductor with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, which gave him the opportunity to work closely with Principal Conductor Asher Fisch.
Dragon has a versatile portfolio ranging from live-to-picture performances including Nightmare Before Christmas, Toy Story and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, a wide variety of collaborations with artists such as the Wu-Tang Clan, Cynthia Erivo and Joshua Bell, to standard and contemporary orchestral repertoire such as Danny Elfman’s Percussion Concerto; all areas of which he has become highly sought after. Christopher has become known for his charisma, high energy and affinity for a good costume, consistently delivering unforgettable performances that has made him an audience favourite.
Recent highlights include his sold-out symphony tour with Gregory Alan Isakov, which included debuts with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Nashville Symphony, a new orchestral collaboration with Nathaniel Rateliff and his successful German debut with the WDR Funkhausorchester.
Christopher is highly sought after as a guest conductor and has worked with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Utah Symphony, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Omaha Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicago Philharmonic, Pacific Symphony, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Orquestra Sinfônica de Porto Alegre and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. In Australia, he has guest conducted the Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and West Australian Symphony Orchestras. His 2015 debut performance at the Sydney Opera House with John Pyke and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra was released on album by ABC Music and won an ARIA the following year
He has also conducted at numerous festivals including the Breckenridge and Bangalow Music Festivals, with both resulting in immediate re-invitations. At the beginning of 2016 Dragon conducted Wynton Marsalis’ Swing Symphony as part of the Perth International Art Festival alongside Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
Christopher began his conducting studies in 2011 and was a member of the prestigious Symphony Services International Conductor Development Program in Australia under the guidance of course director Christopher Seaman. He has also studied with numerous distinguished conductors including Leonid Grin, Paavo and Neeme Jarvi at the Jarvi Summer Festival, Fabio Luisi at the Pacific Music Festival and conducting pedagogue Jorma Panula.
Upcoming Events with Christopher Dragon:
Morgan James
Vocalist
Morgan James
Vocalist
Morgan James is a classically trained vocalist, Broadway veteran and recording artist. She recently premiered two new symphonic programs with maestro Ted Sperling: Clouds in my Coffee: the trailblazing music of Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Carly Simon and Kodachrome, celebrating Paul Simon. Her newest project, Sailing, premiered with Kansas City Symphony and celebrates soft rock of the 70s and 80s.
A Leonard Bernstein aficionado, Morgan has appeared with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, Malaysian Philharmonic, Breckinridge Music Festival, Utah Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, Colorado Symphony, and Wichita Symphony performing her solo Bernstein show, conducted by Teddy Abrams. Morgan was also featured with the Philadelphia Orchestra in West Side Story in concert, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Morgan has had the honor of being in the Bernstein MASS four times: most recently with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia Music festival, conducted by Marin Alsop; with the Louisville Orchestra (conducted by Teddy Abrams), the Philadelphia Orchestra (conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin), as well as with Baltimore Symphony at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, (also conducted by Marin Alsop).
On Broadway, Morgan has appeared in five Original Broadway Casts: Motown: The Musical, Godspell, Wonderland, The Addams Family and Kristin Chenoweth’s For The Girls. With viral sensation Postmodern Jukebox and her own channel, her videos on YouTube have garnered 300 million views (and counting).
As a recording artist, Ms. James just released her fifth studio album of original soul music entitled “Nobody’s Fool”, as well as a live album from Antone’s in Austin, Texas. Her music is available on all streaming platforms.
Morgan received her voice training at The Juilliard School. For more information and tour dates, please visit her website: www.morganjamesonline.com. Instagram: @morganajames
Upcoming Events with Morgan James:
Ryan Shaw
Vocalist
Ryan Shaw
Vocalist
Ryan Shaw is a three-time GRAMMY® nominated artist for his solo projects, Columbia Records’ This is Ryan Shaw, his In Between, and Dynotone’s Real Love.
Ryan has shared the world stage with such artists as Van Halen, Bonnie Raitt, John Legend, B.B. King and Jill Scott. His music has been featured on FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance and ABC’s Dancing with The Stars, Grey’s Anatomy, and Lincoln Heights, and the films My Blueberry Nights and Bride Wars, and the Sex and the City soundtrack. Ryan has been a featured guest on national TV talk shows. He starred as Judas in the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Olivier Award-winning London production of Jesus Christ Superstar, as the original Stevie Wonder in Motown: The Musical on Broadway, and on London’s West End as the Soul of Michael Jackson in Thriller Live. Ryan debuted at Radio City Music Hall in the Dream Concert benefit for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. His Carnegie Hall appearances include Elton John and Bernie Taupin Tribute, A Celebration of The African American Cultural Legacy, and a Nat King Cole 100th concert with the NY Pops. His concert schedule includes NY Central Park’s SummerStage, Nat King Cole at 100 with the National Symphony Orchestra at The Kennedy Center as well as the Nashville Symphony, Aretha: A Tribute, and ICON – The Voices That Changed Music.
Ryan’s solo orchestral show, RYAN SHAW: Masters of R&B, recently premiered at the Ferguson Center for the Performing Arts with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and is now being presented by numerous orchestras around the country. In addition to Aretha: A Tribute, his new duo show with Capathia Jenkins entitled ICON – The Voices That Changed Music is also scheduled to be presented by numerous orchestras. He has also been a featured artist with the Houston Symphony for their R&B Mixtape concert as well as the soloist for the Houston Symphony’s 4th of July Celebration. Ryan’s recent and upcoming symphonic performances include The Cleveland Orchestra, Philly Pops, Seattle Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Utah Symphony, Colorado Symphony, Florida Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Arkansas Symphony, Evansville Philharmonic, Harrisburg Symphony, Maryland Symphony, Anchorage Symphony, Helena Symphony, Orlando Philharmonic, Tucson Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, Des Moines Symphony, Omaha Symphony, Wheeling Symphony, Wilmington Symphony, Mississippi Symphony, Springfield Symphony, Gulf Coast Symphony, among others.
Ryan was a featured guest in The 92nd Street Y’s recent presentation of Lyrics & Lyricists What’s Going On?: Songs of Change. Ryan’s last album, Imagining Marvin, showcases Marvin Gaye hits alongside Ryan’s original songs and features GRAMMY® Award-winning co-writers Valerie Simpson and Rob Thomas, and special guests Derek Trucks, Rob Thomas, Robert Randolph and Shoshana Bean. For 2025, Ryan’s newest single, Rising Up, is an inspirational call to action. The full album will be released in early 2026. Simultaneously with Rising Up, Ryan recently released a new duo album with Ray Angry entitled OFF Broadway. This project features contemporary and progressive soul versions of classic Broadway songs spanning over 70 years.
Upcoming Events with Paula Holloway:
St. Thomas Gospel Choir
St. Thomas Gospel Choir
The St Thomas Gospel Choir currently consists of 40 Spirit-filled energetic musicians and singers. With evangelism being a very important factor in the choir’s music ministry, the Saint Thomas Gospel Choir shares their music at over 50 church services, programs, concerts and celebrations, of all kind, every year. The STGC has won and received many local and national awards for their contributions in Gospel Music. The St Thomas Gospel Choir can be heard digitally on several cd recordings and movie soundtracks. This is the St. Thomas Gospel Choir’s 15th year singing with the Holiday Pops Concerts at the Kimmel Center.
Upcoming Events with St. Thomas Gospel Choir:
Philly Pops Chorus
Philly Pops Chorus
The Philly Pops Chorus is an auditioned volunteer organization comprised of singers ranging from high school students to retired professionals. The chorus has performed with many professional artists including Lisa Vroman, Capathia Jenkins, Ashley Brown, Mandy Gonzalez, Lauren Kennedy, Rachel York, Hugh Panero, Liz Calloway, and The Von Trapp Family Children.
Upcoming Events with Philly Pops Chorus:
Philadelphia Boys Choir
Philadelphia Boys Choir
Renowned for its musicianship, intelligence, and interpretive abilities, the Emmy-winning and GRAMMY-nominated Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale (PBCC) has cultivated a devoted worldwide following for its highly acclaimed concerts and performances. Established in 1968 and under the baton of Jeffrey R. Smith since 2004, the Choir is known as “America’s Ambassadors of Song,” proudly representing both the City of Philadelphia and the United States on its many concert tours across the globe, most recently in Ghana in July 2025. PBCC’s achievements include recordings with internationally renowned orchestras and soloists such as Luciano Pavarotti, television appearances, and praise from critics and audiences worldwide. PBCC has collaborated with many ensembles including The Philadelphia Orchestra (with which it debuted in 1973), the Philly POPS, the Philadelphia Ballet, Opera Philadelphia, the Curtis Institute, the Academy of Vocal Arts, Mendelssohn Chorus, Pig Iron Theater, Vox Ama Deus, and the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. National television appearances have included Good Morning America, Saturday Night Live, and The Today Show. The Philadelphia Boys Choir is the representative boys choir of the Philadelphia Youth Choral Ensembles, which also includes the Philadelphia Girls Choir and Commonwealth Youth Choir.
