Press Release: Omaha Symphony Brings Holiday Concert to Primetime Network TV

OMAHA, Neb., November 20, 2020— The Omaha Symphony has teamed up with WOWT 6 News to broadcast “Physicians Mutual Presents: Home for the Holidays with the Omaha Symphony” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23 and 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 25. The holiday program audiences have grown to love, which will feature a physically distanced orchestra, two singers, and dancers filmed remotely, will bring this tradition safely to the homes of Omahans completely free of charge as a gift to the community.

Home for the Holidays will include much of the same holiday fun audiences have come to expect from the Omaha Symphony’s annual celebration—orchestral Christmas music, exciting classics, and talented Broadway singers and dancers. The program will run one hour with no commercial breaks.

“We are thrilled to partner with Physicians Mutual and local station WOWT to bring holiday cheer to Omaha,” said Omaha Symphony President & CEO Jennifer Boomgaarden. “In a year where nothing is normal and we are all craving togetherness and the comfort of our traditions, the Omaha Symphony hopes to bring music and festivity safely to our community. We believe it is the role of a city’s orchestra to provide its people with moments of joy and respite, to be there in the difficult moments and in the celebratory moments, in whatever way possible. We hope this will be a warm addition to family celebrations!”

Audiences who have attended the Omaha Symphony’s holiday concerts in the past can expect the program to include familiar elements like featured Broadway singers and dancers along with some of their favorite holiday numbers.

“We’ve gathered some of our most visionary creative forces to produce a festive celebration that will bring us together in spirit over the holiday season,” said Resident and Principal Pops Conductor Ernest Richardson. “We look forward to collaborating with director and choreographer Parker Esse and his troupe of remarkably talented dancers remotely from New York City as well as our guest artists Siri Howard and Max Quinlan in Omaha. The musicians of your Omaha Symphony, our guest artists, and our whole team is incredibly excited to bring Christmas cheer!”

“WOWT has always been a proud supporter of the arts and we are very excited to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Omaha Symphony,” said Andrew Stewart, WOWT Vice President and General Manager. "Many of us are missing our families this holiday season. Many of our traditions have been put on hold. That is why WOWT is so happy to present the Physicians Mutual Presents: Home for the Holidays with the Omaha Symphony. This holiday will not be normal, but together we can make it special. We hope this program will brighten spirits and create a new holiday tradition our entire community will enjoy."

The program will include holiday favorites from Christmas pop tunes like Frosty The Snowman and We Need A Little Christmas, classic carols like Joy to the World and O Holy Night, and orchestra features like Sleigh Ride and selections from The Nutcracker ballet.

This performance will no longer have a live audience. Ticket holders will be contacted by Ticket Omaha to discuss their options shortly.

The Omaha Symphony is a non-profit organization that presents more than 100 live orchestral performances from September through June. In addition to MasterWorks, Symphony Pops, Symphony Rocks, Movies, Symphony Joslyn, and Family series concerts, the Omaha Symphony’s nationally recognized education and community engagement programs touch the lives of more than 40,000 people each year. For tickets or information regarding the Omaha Symphony, call 402-345-0606 or visit omahasymphony.org. Programs, artists, dates, times, prices, and availability are subject to change.