Southwest Florida Symphony presents Santa’s Serenade at multiple venues

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Nov. 21, 2023) – The Southwest Florida Symphony, the only professional orchestra in Lee County and fourth oldest orchestra in the state, is excited to announce tickets are available for its annual Holiday Pops. This year’s theme, “Santa’s Serenade,” will feature the return of beloved guest artist Maestro Andrew Lipke with his guitar, piano skills, conductor’s baton, songwriting prowess and ugly sweater collection to delight the community he calls “his home away from home.”

            Under Lipke’s direction, the orchestra will take audiences on an unforgettable journey through a host of various classic holiday songs in search of what makes them so timeless. Along the way, patrons will be invited to join in as the symphony explores an instrumental mash-up of traditional themes blended with holiday favorites featuring brand new lyrics.

Concerts will be held at:

• Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.: Fort Myers Senior High School
• Dec. 10 at 4 p.m.: First Presbyterian Church, Bonita Springs
• Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.: The Village Church at Shell Point, Fort Myers

The Southwest Florida Symphony is excited to be joined by Andrew Lipke, a Philadelphia-based multi-instrumentalist, arranger and composer, for these performances. Lipke, who was born in South Africa and attended The University of The Arts, is a critically acclaimed and sought-after arranger, producer, composer, performer and educator. He has performed as a vocalist with several prominent American orchestras, including the Indianapolis Symphony, North Carolina Symphony and Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, in addition to touring the country with the critically acclaimed Led Zeppelin tribute band Get The Led Out. He has produced dozens of records for local and regional artists and released five solo albums.

To purchase tickets or learn more, visit swflso.org/tickets/.

The Southwest Florida Symphony made its debut as a community orchestra on April 15, 1961, playing in schools and community centers, with a roster of only 24 volunteer musicians. Today, the symphony boasts a roster of 70 world-class professional musicians and is Lee County’s only fully professional orchestra and fourth oldest in the state. The Southwest Florida Symphony’s 63rd year continues the orchestra’s tradition of artistic excellence and innovation as Music Director Maestro Radu Paponiu leads another season of spectacular performances. Maestro Paponiu, the sixth music director in the organization’s history, also serves as the associate conductor and youth orchestra director for the Naples Philharmonic in addition to guest-conducting with orchestras throughout the United States and Europe.

For more information about the Southwest Florida Symphony, upcoming season performances and subscription and ticketing information, visit swflso.org or call 239-418-1500.