Dec. 13
Oh, What Fun! A Holiday Concert for Kids
About This Concert
Gather the whole family and jingle all the way to Jones Hall for a sparkling concert guaranteed to put the “ho-ho-ho” in your holiday! Sing along to festive favorites, sip free hot chocolate, and meet Santa himself. With arts and crafts, an Instrument Petting Zoo, and a sprinkle of holiday magic, this concert will make spirits bright for the whole family.
This concert is part of the PNC Family Series.
Program
J. WASSON
Hark! The Herald Trumpets Sing
J. TYZIK
A Christmas Overture
R. WENDEL
Christmas à la Valse
LEONTOVICH/HAYMAN
“Carol of the Bells”
J. TYZIK
Hanukkah Suite
ANDERSON
Sleigh Ride
HAGUE/M. NAUGHTIN
“You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” from How the Grinch Stole Christmas
MARKS/HAYMAN
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer
HANDEL/S. AMUNDSON
“Joy to the World”
Tickets
In-Hall Tickets
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Saturday, Dec. 13
10:00 A.M. at Jones Hall
Saturday, Dec. 13
11:30 A.M. at Jones Hall
Artists

Brett Mitchell
conductor
View Biography
Sponsors
Title Sponsor
Vivian L. Smith Foundation
Sponsor
Extras
Additional Information
Doors Open:
10 A.M. Performance: 60 mins. pre-concert
11:30 A.M. Performance: 30 mins. pre-concert
Prelude:
No Prelude
Duration
Approx. 60 mins
Intermission
No Intermission
Age Limit
All Ages
Visitor Info
Parking and Directions
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Celebrate the holiday season with the Houston Symphony. From Handel’s Messiah and Very Merry POPS to Merry-achi Christmas, jazz favorites, concerts for the whole family, and beloved film scores—this is the music that makes the season.
View Full Season
conductor
Brett Mitchell
Hailed for presenting engaging, in-depth explorations of thoughtfully curated programs, American conductor Brett Mitchell currently serves as Music Director of the Pasadena Symphony and Artistic Director and Conductor of Oregon’s Sunriver Music Festival.
He previously served as Music Director of the Colorado Symphony (2017–21), Associate Conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra (2013–17), and Assistant Conductor of the Houston Symphony (2007–11) and Orchestre National de France (2006–09).
In May 2025, with less than 24 hours’ notice, Mitchell stepped in for his subscription debut with the New York Philharmonic, leading three performances of Kevin Puts’s The Brightness of Light featuring soprano Renée Fleming, followed by the complete score of Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé featuring the New York Philharmonic Chorus.
Working widely as a guest conductor, Mitchell has made appearances with the Dallas, Detroit, Edmonton, Fort Worth, Houston, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, National, North Carolina, Oregon, Pasadena, San Antonio, San Francisco, and Vancouver symphonies; the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl; the Cleveland and Minnesota orchestras; the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra; the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; the Grant Park Festival Orchestra; and a two-week tour with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
Mitchell also regularly collaborates with the world’s leading soloists, including Yo-Yo Ma, Renée Fleming, Itzhak Perlman, Kirill Gerstein, Conrad Tao, Rudolf Buchbinder, James Ehnes, Augustin Hadelich, Leila Josefowicz, and Alisa Weilerstein.
Born in Seattle, Mitchell holds degrees in conducting from the University of Texas at Austin and composition from Western Washington University. His two principal professional mentors were Kurt Masur and Lorin Maazel.