SC Phil Presents 3rd Annual HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS - A Celebration of Some of the Midlands' Most Exciting Performing Artists at Christmas!

DECEMBER 18, 2025

KOGER CENTER FOR THE ARTS

From our friends at SC Philharmonic -

The South Carolina Philharmonic presents Home for the Holidays on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM at the Koger Center for the Arts under the baton of Music Director Morihiko Nakahara. As this concert is a holiday-themed variety show, the orchestra will be joined by singers Cat Galán (Stankface, Boomtown Trio), Edwin Hamilton (SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble), Katie Leitner (Say Femme) and opera singer Johnnie Felder. The concert includes dance performances from Cola Rep Dance Co. and CCJ Conservatory. Local Elvis tribute Bernie Love closes the first act, and The Columbia Choral Society joins the orchestra for the thrilling second act. Trumpeter Mark Rapp (Cola Jazz) makes an appearance, and 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 Midlands’ last large-scale holiday-themed events of the year. This concert is a great way to entertain family and friends who have gathered for the holidays, and for those who are looking for new traditions. Created in collaboration with Music Director Morihiko Nakahara and local theatre director Chad Henderson, this concert is an energetic experience that celebrates the Midlands arts scene.

“This concert is a high-energy night that is a demonstration of the talent in our community,” said Director Chad Henderson. “It’s been such a joy planning this concert every year, and this year we’re returning with an even larger slate of guest performers who are favorites in town. I’m personally excited about our very own local Elvis tribute, Bernie Love, coming on board to close out the first act. We’re going to play Also sprach Zarathustra and do the Vegas opening and everything.” Undoubtedly, this holiday concert will be a great opportunity for audiences to unwind and get into the spirit.

In addition to the fun Elvis portion of the program, audiences can expect to hear holiday classics like The Christmas Song, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, Sleigh Ride and It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

Opera singer Johnnie Felder and Cat Galán return for an encore performance of The Prayer – which brought audiences to their feet mid-show last year. Mr. Felder will perform a thrilling arrangement of O Holy Night with the orchestra and The Columbia Choral Society. The choir will also join the orchestra for Christmas Canticles and selections from John Williams’ Home Alone score, among others, in the second act of the show.

The South Carolina Philharmonic is committed to performing live symphonic music and providing dynamic educational opportunities in the Midlands. We carry forward a legacy of passion for the music and embrace our responsibility to be a vibrant part of the cultural fabric of our diverse community.

Buy Tickets Here!

REVIEW: SC Phil's Beloved Broadway by Rosalind Graverson

I love any excuse to get dressed up, so going to the South Carolina Philharmonic's Beloved Broadway concert sounded like the perfect way to spend my Saturday night.

This was the first of three concerts that the Philharmonic will be doing out at Harbison Theatre this season. This is a wonderful venue with intimate stadium seating, so no matter where your seat is, you still have a perfect view of every inch of the stage.

They opened with a medley of popular songs from Gypsy, The Fantisticks, and Funny Girl and proceeded to play selections from some of the most iconic shows from Broadway. I expected to be impressed just by the quality of the performance, but when they began to play "Show Me" from My Fair Lady, I knew we were in for a fun time. The arrangements suddenly had more character and personality than I remembered.  I grew up listening to this music, and hearing it played by a 45 piece orchestra brought back so many memories.

Every song that they played, I could hear the words in my head, and I'm sure more than a few people in the audience wanted to burst into song. The conductor, Morihiko Nakahara, introduced the Sound of Music section by saying something to the effect of "I'd never say this at the Koger Center, but feel free to sing along." Thank goodness the whole audience did not take him up on that because then we would've missed some of the quieter moments of the show. The cello section took the lead on "Edelweiss" and it was perfection. I just wanted to close my eyes and wrap up in a blanket by the fire and listen to them play that soothing melody all night.

Nakahara introduced the other sections and did mention that two of the composers' work  they would be playing are EGOT (Emmy, Golden Globe, Oscar, and Tony) and Pulitzer winners. Marvin Hamlisch and Richard Rodgers are the only two people to have one all five awards. "It's like winning 5 gold medals" Nakahara said.

Throughout the night we heard selections from West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, A Chorus Line, and the previously mentioned My Fair Lady and Sound of Music. I feel like you can't mention Broadway and not have something from The Phantom of the Opera, and they did not disappoint. I was suddenly on the edge of my seat listening so intently to every note. I would love to see this group do a full production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic along with some of our talented theatre and opera performers.

Towards the end of the night, Nakahara introduced the singers for the last portion of the concert. Avery Bateman performed "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" from Evita. The audience was blown away by her elegance and timbre. It was the perfect choice for the first song that we heard the lyrics to. Catherine Hunsinger sang "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Miserables. She performed the part of the ingénue, Eponine, in the Town Theatre production last season, so it was nice to hear her perform a song she hasn't done before. I'm used to hearing Catherine sing soprano, which she does beautifully, but the low parts of this number were so mature and she blew me away.

At the closing number Nakahara, again invited everyone to join in and dance in the aisles, which was fitting for the Mamma Mia ballad, or as he said "Abba's greatest hits." Avery and Catherine were joined by Elisabeth Smith Baker and brought the evening home with 5 or 6 of the most popular Abba songs. All of these women are well known in the theatre community as Trustus company members and always provide professional performances; tonight was no exception.

If you haven't seen the South Carolina Philharmonic perform, please go to one of the many events happening this year, throughout the midlands. It'd be a shame not to witness this quality of musicianship while it's right at our fingertips. You don't have to go to Carnegie Hall to hear the classics; just go to the Koger Center or Harbison Theatre.