Boston Civic Symphony celebrates 100 years — brings annual holiday concert to Roxbury, Dec. 15

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For Roxbury resident Philip Lima, there’s something extra special about holiday concerts. Among the spectators are children who bring an “infectious” joy to the event, and the performances draw people from all across town.

“There may be audience members who don’t normally go to symphony concerts, and to know that we can share this kind of music with all of our neighbors is a real joy,” said Lima, an operatic baritone and assistant chair of the voice department at Berklee College of Music.

On Sunday, Dec. 15, Lima will spread the holiday spirit alongside the Boston Civic Symphony at the orchestra’s annual Holiday Concert, to be held for the first time at Roxbury Community College. In addition to Lima, Boston Latin School’s chorus will take the stage at the concert, part of a season-long effort to commemorate the orchestra’s centennial.

Baritone Philip Lima performs with the Boston Civic Symphony on Dec. 15. PHOTO: SUSAN WILSON

“Year in and year out, bringing the joy of music to so many people … it’s inspiring,” Lima said of the symphony’s 100 years in operation. “It feels like a real privilege because I’m part of this legacy of bringing beauty to literally thousands and thousands of people over the course of a century.”

Francisco Noya, music director of the Boston Civic Symphony, said the organization has existed for so long because it fulfills an important mission in the musical parts of the city by offering high-quality performances, giving music students opportunities to play at an advanced level. The significance of the anniversary does not go unnoticed.

“We are all very proud to be part of this historic occasion. Because, as you know, not every arts organization, especially in the city of Boston, can say rightly so, that they’ve been around for a century,” he said. “So it feels very good … like we’re living in an important moment in the music history of the city.”

Boston is a place rich with musical institutions. Many of these, like the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Berklee and the New England Conservatory, are concentrated in one area. Boston Civic Symphony regularly performs at NEC’s Jordan Hall, so Noya said holding the annual holiday concert at Roxbury Community College was a way to reach community members who “do not normally come to the concert hall.”

On the program are holiday classics such as “Gesù Bambino,” the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah, and “Do You Hear What I Hear?”

“The most moving part of the performance is [when] the audience sings along with us,” Noya said. This part of the concert is typically led by Santa Claus, although Noya said the orchestra is still waiting to confirm whether Santa will be available for an appearance at the concert. Parking 12 reindeer in Boston is expensive, after all.

For Ryan Snyder, choral director at Boston Latin School, the best part of concerts is right when the rehearsals are done and the performance begins. This is the moment all the hard work comes to fruition. The concert promises a glut of glee.

“Most of our program is about peace and joy and celebrating the holidays. So it’s always been my hope that it’s not just for people who celebrate Christmas but people who just want to celebrate the season,” Snyder said. He added that he wants “everybody to go away with a really good feeling and just start the holidays with that sense of peace and happiness.”