Another Fox first

The Spokane Symphony’s Holiday Pops concert contains certain time-honored elements: an audience sing-along, musicians wearing Santa hats and a special appearance by a guest conductor in a red suit with a white beard.

And this year’s version will have one big new attraction: the Fox Theater itself.

The Holiday Pops concerts will take place in the symphony’s new art-deco home, because the symphony wants its pops subscribers – not just its classics subscribers – to get a taste of the Fox.

For that reason, there will be three performances this year at the Fox instead of the traditional two at the larger INB Performing Arts Center (formerly the Opera House). The rest of the SuperPops series will remain at the INB.

That’s not the only new element at this year’s event. The guest artist will be Five By Design, the Minnesota vocal quintet which has previously appeared in the symphony’s “Radio Days” pops concert and others.

The group will perform a number of well-known songs, including “Carol of the Bells,” “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “The Night Before Christmas.”

Meanwhile, the concert’s other traditional elements will remain intact.

The Spokane Symphony Chorale, under the direction of Lori Wiest, will be in full voice on a number of familiar carols, including “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”

And anchoring the entire concert, of course, will be the 70-plus-member orchestra, conducted by associate conductor Morihiko Nakahara.

Symphony players will perform a number of holiday-themed pieces, including “March of the Toys” and “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.” They will show off their versatility with some jazzy arrangements of familiar songs, including “Jingle Bells.”

And, of course, no Holiday Pops concert would be complete without a jaunty arrangement of Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” complete with ringing bells and neighing sound effects.