Philharmonic celebrating holidays

Christmas may come but once a year, but "A Christmas Celebration" is coming twice: 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday to Artemus Ham Hall.

The Las Vegas Philharmonic's holiday pops concert -- conducted by music director David Itkin -- will pair the orchestra with the Las Vegas Master Singers and the University Children's Chorale. Soloing will be soprano Joan Sobel from the cast of "Phantom -- The Las Vegas Spectacular"; baritone Tod Fitzpatrick, chair of the voice department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and Arkansas-based tenor Matt Newman, whom Itkin discovered during his simultaneous duties conducting the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.

Approximately 200 musicians will share the stage throughout the two-hour performance.

Itkin, in his third year as Philharmonic maestro, calls the program "a secret."

"I'll give you some of it, though," he said, revealing "Jingle Bell Rock," a Mannheim Steamroller version of "Silent Night" and music by Leonard Bernstein.

"There's all kinds of new arrangements," Itkin said, "and I'm very excited because we've got some great vocalists.

"This program has been growing for the three years I've been here, and getting more of a reputation as an important piece of holiday entertainment."

Contact reporter Corey Levitan at clevitan@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0456.