Sounds of Christmas’ Concert Marks 35 Years with Dec. 4 Concert at St. Anthony’s Church

No 'sounds of Christmas Concert' would be complete without a visit from Santa Claus.

The North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra returns to St. Anthony’s Church Sunday, December 4, at 4 p.m. for Revere’s annual Robert A. Marra Memorial “Sounds of Christmas” Concert.

This year’s concert marks the 35th anniversary of the event, which was first presented in 1976 as a way to cap off the City’s celebrations of the country’s Bicentennial Year. Max Hobart, who conducted that first concert in 1976 and is now the NSPO’s Music Director Emeritus, will be the Guest Conductor this year.

For Maestro Hobart, the return to Revere is a special treat.

“I always loved conducting the Orchestra at St. Anthony’s,” he said. “It’s such a magnificent setting for a concert, and the audience is so captivated and enthusiastic.”

Hobart also expressed sur­prise at the fact that 35 years have passed since that first con­cert in 1976.

“Time flies, indeed! But some traditions live on and keep everyone feeling full of youth, and this concert is one of those wonderful traditions,” he said.

Soprano Jean Danton will be the featured soloist on the program, which will include a variety of holiday classics and the traditional “Sing-A-Long” of favorite Christmas carols.

Admission to the concert is free, but everyone attending is requested to bring a substan­tial donation of non-perishable food to benefit the Revere Food Pantry. The concert is sponsored by Arbella Insurance Group, Bocchino Insurance Agency, Global Partners LLC, and Comcast.

Hobart, longtime Associate Concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, was the NSPO’s Music Director from 1973 to 1996. In 1976, Revere culminated the nation’s Bicentennial with the “Sounds of Christmas” concert.

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