“Young People’s Philharmonic of the Lehigh Valley has a rich history, bringing the highest quality music education and orchestral training to young musicians,” says its Music Director Jordan Randall Smith. “It’s been a privilege to join this organization in time to celebrate 50 years in the Lehigh Valley.”

Young People’s Philharmonic of the Lehigh Valley presents its “Holiday Concert,” 4:30 p.m. Dec. 7, Christ Lutheran Church, Allentown.

Young People’s consists of two orchestras: the Junior Strings Philharmonic, led by Conductor Rachel Galassie, and Young People’s Philharmonic, led by Jordan Randall Smith.

The concert opens with the Junior Strings performance of “Concerto Grosso in G minor, Op. 6 No. 8,” “Fatto per la Notte di Natale” (“Christmas Concerto”), written in 1690 by Italian Baroque composer Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713).

Originally written for Christmas Eve, it consists of six movements: I. Vivace-Grave; II. Allegro; III. Adagio-Allegro-Adagio; IV. Vivace; V. Allegro, and VI. Pastorale: Largo. Each movement features a small group of soloists interplaying passages with the full orchestra.

The Young People’s perform the first movement of Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67” which premiered in Vienna, Austria, on Dec. 22, 1808. This movement, “Allegro con Brio,” is easily recognizable by its first four notes, short-short, short-long.

The concert closes with “Symphonie Antique” by American composer Emma Lou Diemer (1927-2024).

“A lesser-known work of three movements with spirit and vitality of youth, it is a mixture of scales moving upward, fast rhythmic energy and has a little fugue type of effect,” says Smith, adding, “The second movement, ‘Flowing Siciliano,’ has a beautiful flute solo.

“Audiences will love to celebrate the holidays with us. Our holiday program not only includes classical and popular holiday favorites, it also showcases our students’ musicianship in challenging orchestral works.

“There will be something for everyone,” Smith says.

In 1976, Jerry Bidlack, a musician and conductor, with his wife Nancy, a chamber music instrumentalist and teacher, founded the Young People’s Philharmonic, comprising a full symphonic orchestra of high school students and a string orchestra for middle school students.

To commemorate Young People’s 50th anniversary, a third ensemble will be established, Prelude Strings, for students in third through fifth grades.

Young People’s Philharmonic of the Lehigh Valley, “Holiday Concert,” 4:30 p.m. Dec. 7, Christ Lutheran Church, 1245 Hamilton St., Allentown. Tickets: 610-868-9888; https://ypplv.org

The “Annual Advent and Christmas Concert” is at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 6, Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem.

“This annual concert is always deeply meaningful because it’s often the first performance of the holiday season for us and we’re always eager to present new arrangements for this special afternoon of music and fellowship,” says Bryan Hay, trombonist and co-founder of Mainstreet Brass.

“Central Moravian Church is happy to open its doors and share this festive and reflective concert with our Lehigh Valley neighbors and visitors to Bethlehem,” says Becky Lepore, Central Moravian Church Minister of Music and Organist, adding, “It’s a time to relax and enjoy carols and fellowship as we prepare for the busy Christmas season.”

The concert includes Lepore’s performance of “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” from Pyotr Ilich Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a” and “Skater’s Waltz” by Emile Waldteufel on the exquisite Möller Opus 8650 organ.

The church choir performs “Morning Star in Darkest Night” by Moravian composer Georg Friedrich von Hellström, “Festival Nowell” by Dan Forrest and “There Shall a Star” from Felix Mendelssohn’s unfinished oratorio “Christus, Op. 97.”

Ensemble-in-Residence Mainstreet Brass performs two sets of carols followed by the audience singing hymns of the season, including the Moravian hymn “Morning Star.”

The concert closes with an organ and brass arrangement of Samuel Scheidt’s “In Dulce Jubilo.”

“We’re always humbled to be part of the rich musical traditions at Central Moravian Church where some of the world’s greatest music was heard for the first time in America,” says Hay.

“It all takes on another dimension with the World Heritage designation. That this tradition will now be known to an even greater global community is quite special,” Hay says.

Formed in 1986, Mainstreet Brass is known for its varied repertoire, engaging performances and commitment to commissioning new works for brass. The ensemble’s name comes from two of their first performances at churches on Main streets in Freemansburg and Bethlehem.

“Annual Advent and Christmas Concert,” 1:30 p.m. Dec. 6, Central Moravian Church, 73. W. Church St., Bethlehem. The concert is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required. Information: 610-866-5661, https://www.centralmoravianchurch.org/

“Classical View” is a column about classical music concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com