HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS with SC Philharmonic, Cola Rep Dance Co, Columbia Choral Society, Michael Hazin, Camm Wess, Cat Galan, Johnnie Felder and SANTA!!!

The South Carolina Philharmonic presents Home for the Holidays on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 7:00 PM at the Koger Center for the Arts under the baton of Music Director Morihiko Nakahara. The SC Philharmonic is bringing this community celebration back to the Koger Center for one night only after last season’s inaugural performance. As this concert is a holiday-themed variety show, the orchestra will be joined by singers CammWess (The Voice, Team John Legend), Cat Galan (Stankface, Boomtown Trio), Michael Hazin (musical theatre performer) and opera singer Johnnie Felder. The concert includes two performances by Cola Rep Dance Co. The Columbia Choral Society also comes to the stage for the thrilling second act. Finally, Santa will also be on hand for any last-minute requests. This joyful concert is a creative collaboration between Music Director Morihiko Nakahara and director Chad Henderson, the former Artistic Director of Trustus Theatre and current Marketing Director of the SC Phil. Tickets may be purchased by visiting scphilharmonic.com or by calling the Koger Center Box Office at 803-251-2222. 

Home for the Holidays is one of the last large-scale holiday-themed events of the season, with the performance scheduled on December 19th. This concert is a great way to entertain family and friends who have gathered for the holidays, and to those who are looking for new traditions. Created in collaboration with Music Director Morihiko Nakahara and local theatre director Chad Henderson, this concert promises to be an energetic experience that celebrates the Midlands arts scene. “This concert is a salute to our community,” said Director Chad Henderson. “Last year, we started out trying to create an exciting program of joyous music that would set performers up to shine with an orchestra. Once we got into the weeds, we realized we had created a multidisciplinary celebration of home.” The creative team of Nakahara and Henderson leaned into that aspect with more intentionality this season. 

Columbia Choral Society

Audiences can expect to hear holiday classics like Bing Crosby’s Jingle Bells, Nat King Cole’s The Christmas Song and Leroy Anderson’s festive holiday treat: Sleigh Ride. Opera singer Johnnie Felder will join Cat Galan for a very special performance of The Prayer - made famous by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion. The Columbia Choral Society will join the orchestra for arrangements of Twas the Night Before Christmas and selections from John Williams’ Home Alone score, among others.

“Without giving everything away, we have some special surprises planned for our audience,” said Henderson. “With this concert being so late in December, we are really focused on creating an evening for families and friends. A lot of folks are about to travel to other places at that time, and so many are returning home as well. This concert is a great way to get into the spirit, and to be awed by the talent we have in the Midlands. We’re also collaborating with one of my favorite colleagues: lighting designer Marc Hurst. You’re going to get some epic musical experiences out of this one.” 

The SC Philharmonic’s Home for the Holidays will take the Koger Center stage on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 7:00 PM at. Concert ticket prices range from $25 to $55, and they can be purchased at scphilharmonic.com or by calling the Koger Center Box Office (803) 251-2222.

 For more information about the South Carolina Philharmonic, please visit SCPhilharmonic.com 

THE BEAT: Former Voice contestant CammWess debuts new single, video for “Tired”

By Kyle Petersen

It’s been a few years since Columbia area native CammWess made somewhat of a splash on season 18 of NBC’s The Voice. The young, fresh-faced R&B singer got to work with one of his biggest inspirations and influences in John Legend at just 21 years old, and ultimately finished 4th on the show, just shy of the finals.

The reason he was on The Voice at all, of course, is his tremendous talent. Blessed with a deep, sultry voice capable of rattling the rafters as well as a crooning falsetto, CammWess also demonstrated some budding songwriting chops on the show and was allowed to premiere an original, “Save it for Tomorrow,” in addition to his covers of tunes The Weeknd’s “Earned It,” Prince’s “Purple Rain,” and “Say Something (I’m Giving Up On You),” A Great Big World song famously performed with Christina Aguilera.

While the peak of his fame on the show was unfortunately timed with the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, CammWess has doubled down on his original material in recent years, including his most recent single “Tired.”

In addition to showcasing his consummate vocal talent and increasingly polished songcraft, the tune features fluttery background vocal processing that lends a contemporary edge and hints at a more adventurous production style in the artist’s future. But most compelling is the video from HoneyButter productions, a fully formed production that brings the song’s romantic heartbreak to life. View it below. CammWess is set to play the SolFest RollFest in Earlewood Park July 2.