Local talent to join symphony in holiday concert to aid hospice

SPARTA-The Holiday Traditions Concert, which has entertained area residents for 14 years, will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, at the William McNeice Auditorium in Sparta. Proceeds will benefit the programs of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice. Gary Haberman’s Spirit of America Symphony Orchestra will perform holiday musical favorites, and the program will also include a special performance by the Kittatinny Regional High School choir under the direction of Joseph Mello. The Spirit of America Orchestra, although relatively new to the North Jersey area, is comprised of outstanding orchestral and commercial musicians in the New York Metropolitan area, with combined performance credits with virtually every major entertainerin the country. The orchestra began as the brainchild of Haberman, who observed a need for an affordable orchestral venue that does not sacrifice overall quality because of size. The orchestra achieves these goals through effective arrangements and the creative use of sound reinforcement. The result is a full orchestral sound, with a bit of commercialism added. “Our combination of players, conductors and soloists prove to be a recipe for success.” said Haberman. “Add to that a special performance by the Kittatinny Regional High School choir, and we’re sure to have a memorable event.” John Matthews of Hinkley Auto Sales, producer of the event since its inception, said, “Over the years this concert has been considered by many to be the official introduction of the holiday season and is looked forward to with great anticipation. We expect this year’s program to be better than ever, full of fun, excitement, and stirring musical selections. Thanks to the strong support of the community and businesses, we look forward to a successful event to benefit the programs and services of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice.” Tickets are $22.50, $18.50, and $14.50, and may be purchased at Hinkley Auto Sales in Andover or Montague; Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice in Newton; or the Sparta Book Shop in Sparta. For information, call 888-700-1055.