Kedrick Armstrong, a Freeman Fellow Alum, Conducts an Internationally-Inspired Program Featuring Duke Ellington’s Jazz Twist on the Famous Holiday Classic Nutcracker Suite
December 19 at Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville
December 20 at Mandel Hall in Hyde Park
[CHICAGO-November 21, 2025]—Chicago Sinfonietta brings the holiday season to life with two performances of Holidays of Hope: Friday, December 19 at 7 p.m., at Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College in Naperville, and on Saturday, December 20 at Mandel Hall in Hyde Park at 7 p.m.
The cheerful holiday program is anchored around Duke Ellington’s jazzy Nutcracker Suite (After Tchaikovsky), and is curated to include music by women, immigrants, and artists of color with a dash of international flavor. Through a mix of beloved and lesser-known works, the program mirrors the diversity of the Sinfonietta’s Chicago home and strengthens its bond with the community it has grown alongside. Past Freeman Conducting Fellow and rising star Kedrick Armstrong conducts.
“The concert is a celebration of the joy and warmth that come from sharing our diverse cultural holiday traditions,” said Kedrick Armstrong. “Through a rich tapestry of beloved holiday melodies, we hope to inspire a sense of unity, hope, and belonging. Our goal is for everyone in the audience to recognize a piece of their own heritage reflected on stage—and to leave feeling uplifted and connected. This program is a wonderful mix of my own favorites and some new-to-us all pieces that I hope everyone enjoys.”
Duke Ellington, inspired by Tchaikovsky’s music for the iconic holiday tale of the Nutcracker, opted to write a jazz version of the popular suite from the ballet; this brassy, fresh take on the classic melodies is sure to bring visions of sugarplums to all. The program of global seasonal favorites also includes a French symphonic interlude by Augusta Holmès, Christmas Overture by British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, music for Hanukkah, Mexican piñata songs, a Czech Christmas song by Vítězslava Kaprálová, the ever-popular Sleigh Ride, and a sing-along finale of seasonal favorites.
At these performances, Chicago Sinfonietta will continue to support its community by accepting food donations for the Pilsen Food Pantry. Accepted items for donation include unopened 32-ounce (or smaller) bottles of cooking oil, dry seasonings/spices (pepper, salt, garlic, cinnamon, etc), powdered milk, 16-ounce jars of peanut butter, spaghetti sauce (jar), 2-quart low sodium chicken broth, chicken noodle soup (pop tabs preferred), and dried pasta.
At both performances, festive pre-concert lobby activities for audiences include building their own luminaria for the sing-along finale and enjoy the complimentary hot cocoa bar.
Chicago Sinfonietta’s 2025-26 season features five programs, each performed in a distinguished Chicago venue—Studebaker Theater, Mandel Hall, The Auditorium, Harris Theater, and Pick-Staiger Hall—and in Naperville at Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College. Other events and initiatives include the Freeman Fellowship program, monthly community performances, and much more.
Subscriptions and tickets for all events can be purchased via the website.
About Kedrick Armstrong
About Chicago Sinfonietta
Concert details
Kedrick Armstrong, conductor
Friday, December 19 at 7 PM
Wentz Concert Hall, North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave, Naperville, IL
Saturday, December 20 at 7 PM
Mandel Hall, University of Chicago, 1131 E. 57th St. (in Hyde Park), Chicago, ILHolidays of Hope Program
| Nigel Hess | A Christmas Overture |
| Quinn MASON | Christmas Eve |
| Peter JAFFE | Symph-Hanukkah |
| Vítězslava KAPRÁLOVÁ | Christmas Prelude |
| Duke ELLINGTON | Nutcracker Suite (After Tchaikovsky) |
| Samuel COLERIDGE-TAYLOR | Christmas Overture |
| Robert Xavier RODRÍGUEZ | Piñata |
| Augusta HOLMÈS | La Nuit et l’amour |
| Leroy ANDERSON | Sleigh Ride |
| Gary PARKS | Joyeaux Noel! A Holiday Sing-A-Long |
Tickets start at $30 and are available at ChicagoSinfonietta.org or by calling 312.284.1554.
Box office hours are Monday-Friday, 12 PM to 4 PM and all day on concert days.
Student tickets are also available; valid ID required.
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Media Contact: Rachelle Roe, Arts / Etc. Public Relations / 312.618.6655