The Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra is gearing up to spread some holiday cheer with its Merry & Bright pops concert on Saturday, December 13 at the Jenkins Theatre in the LMC Mendel Center.

SMSO Music Director Matt Aubin says the concert will blend joyful music with community spirit, even giving one audience member the chance to hop onstage for a quick “Conducting 101” lesson and lead the orchestra in Sleigh Ride. The program will feature classics like The Polar Express, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Here We Come A-Caroling, along with the Hanukkah Festival Overture and Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.

Benton Harbor Commissioner Mamie Yarbrough will also take the stage for a musical reading of The Night Before Christmas, joined by students from Berrien Springs and St. Joseph Public Schools.

Tickets for the show are available now at SMSO.org.