Start your holiday season off on the right note with Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra!

Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra has changed the time of its annual holiday concert to 5:00 PM on Saturday, December 4. “We want to make sure that everyone has the chance to hear some beautiful holiday music before watching the Huskers in the Big XII Championship game,” said Barbara Zach, LSO executive director. “We are cheering for the Huskers, and we want to give our audience the opportunity to as well. We moved our concert up to 5:00 so that everyone can be home by kickoff.”

LSO will feature the UNL University Singers and the Lincoln Midwest Ballet Company at the symphony’s annual holiday concert at the Lied Center for Performing Arts. The concert, performed under the baton of Dr. Tyler G. White, includes popular holiday favorites Sleigh Ride and excerpts from The Nutcracker, and works by Bach, Handel and Vaughn Williams.

Come early to get a start on the festivities by enjoying special music from Lincoln Youth Symphony members in the lobby, refreshments, photo opportunities with Santa Claus, and holiday shopping with poinsettias and Christmas ornaments. You may also purchase raffle tickets to win a handmade 6-foot wooden Christmas tree, complete with 12 hand blown glass ornaments made by artist Valerie Beck. Raffle tickets are only $10 each or three tickets for $20.

Dancers from the Lincoln Midwest Ballet Company will again join LSO for “Waltz of the Flowers,” “Chinese Dance,” and other excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s holiday favorite, The Nutcracker.

“This concert is an audience favorite year after year, which is why we are proud to present it as a Lincoln tradition,” said Barbara Zach, LSO executive director. “The program reflects on all the moods of the holiday season, from childhood nostalgia, the beauty of the sacred rituals we associate with this season, to the dramatic joy of The Nutcracker.”

Tickets are $25-$45 for adults and $10 for members of the 20|30 Club, and may be purchased by calling (402)476-2211. LSO also encourages all who attend the concert to bring a can of food or cash contribution to donate to the Food Bank of Lincoln.

Corporate Sponsor for “Deck the Halls” is Lincoln Industries, and the Media Sponsor is KFOR. The Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment also provided support toward LSO’s 2010-11 season.

A Que Place garage parking pass can be purchased online for $4; the cost is $5 at the concert – visit lincolnsymphony.com to purchase a pass.

Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 84th season with nine exciting performances, including five classical concerts, two family concerts, a holiday concert and a pops concert. The season includes Pictures at an Exhibition, Haydn’s “Surprise” Symphony, the Sibelius Violin Concerto, Carnival of the Animals, and the Beethoven Symphony No. 5. New subscribers receive a 50% discount on subscription tickets, with a variety of packages available starting at $18.