New Conductor Reimagines Pasadena’s Beloved Holiday Concert While Preserving Cherished Traditions

In his inaugural year as Music Director of Pasadena Symphony and POPS, Brett Mitchell is reshaping one of Southern California’s most anticipated holiday events by blending reverence for tradition with fresh artistic vision.

The Symphony’s annual Holiday Candlelight Concert, scheduled for three performances on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13 and 14, will transform the historic All Saints Church Pasadena into an intimate musical sanctuary.

“Ambience is everything, so being in this space really transports both the audience and all of us onstage to another place and time,” Mitchell said of the cherished venue.

The architectural constraints of All Saints Church have shaped Mitchell’s approach to the performances, leading him to adapt the orchestra size for the sacred space’s unique acoustics.

“Big and bombastic is just not a thing we can do with this size of orchestra in this space, so it forces us to become a bit more intimate, which is actually a really lovely way to bring the audience into us,” Mitchell explained.

The program weaves together traditional favorites like “Hallelujah Chorus” and “Sleigh Ride” with three world premiere arrangements by Matthew Jackfert, demonstrating Mitchell’s balance of innovation and tradition.

“Part of the joy for so many of us is also discovering new arrangements of carols we all know and love, so I’m really excited that we’ll be presenting the world premieres of three new arrangements,” Mitchell said.

The 75-minute concert, performed without intermission, features collaboration between multiple musical groups, including the LA Bronze Handbell Ensemble, JPL Chorus, Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, and Donald Brinegar Singers.

Vocalist Lisa Vroman will perform special arrangements by her husband Patrick O’Neil and Resident Pops Conductor Larry Blank during the candlelit performances.

The concerts will take place Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at All Saints Church, 132 N. Euclid Avenue.

Tickets are $30 to $178 and can be purchased at pasadenasymphony-pops.org/concert/ or by calling (626) 793-7172. Limited onsite parking is available for $20 in advance or $25 onsite in cash.

Doors open one hour before each performance, and late seating is not permitted. The venue is wheelchair accessible.