Boston Symphony Orchestra

As families convene for the holidays and people stress over what their more eccentric relatives might decide to say at the dinner table, others worry about how their budget can make this holiday season cheerful for the whole family.

Mission Hill’s Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help will soon come alive with the jazzy riffs and foot-tapping notes of Duke Ellington’s catalog.

Composer, music educator and community organizer Carlos Simon has performed his unique compositions, blending gospel and jazz influences with Western classical chords, all over the world. Now, he’s ready to take on Boston.

African American prodigy violinist Randall Goosby will make his debut with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in February. At the age of 28, Goosby has already put out two classical albums, won innumerable awards and performed globally. To put his success in perspective, he debuted with the Jacksonville Symphony at age 9. Boston is next on the list of audiences to dazzle.