Event
Holiday Pops
Naples Philharmonic Special Performance
Naples Philharmonic
Jacomo Bairos, conductor
Naples Philharmonic Chorus
Jeremy T. Warner, director
Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus
Barbara Sletto, director
Morgan James, vocalist
Christine Clifford, guest sleigh bells December 19
Barbie Hills, guest sleigh bells December 22 matinee
Get in the holiday spirit and join the merriment as the Naples Philharmonic, Naples Philharmonic Chorus and Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus and Broadway and YouTube star Morgan James delight audiences in their annual program of beloved holiday tunes. From cherished classics to contemporary favorites, the combined ensemble delivers another symphonic celebration that is sure to warm the soul and fill your cup with holiday cheer. This festive concert has become a favorite Neapolitan tradition, bringing families and friends together to experience the joy and magic of the holiday season through the power of music.
The Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus is generously endowed by Carmen and Jim Campbell.
The December 20 performance is generously sponsored by Frank Corvino. The December 21 matinee performance is generously sponsored by Mrs. Phyllis Lynch.
Additional support of Holiday Pops is provided by the Myra Janco Daniels Legacy Fund.
Naples Philharmonic
Naples Philharmonic
Founded in 1982, the Naples Philharmonic normally performs over 140 orchestral and chamber concerts, as well as opera and ballet, education, community and special event concerts from September through June each year.
Meet the Musicians
Alexander Shelley
Artistic and Music Director Meet Alexander
Jack Everly
Principal Pops Conductor Meet Jack
James Ehnes
Artistic Partner Meet James
Manuel López-Gómez
Associate Conductor Meet Manuel
Alvin Ho
Assistant Conductor Meet Alvin
Jacomo Bairos
Jacomo Bairos
Portuguese-American conductor, producer and podcaster Jacomo Bairos challenges the preconceptions of orchestral repertoire by fusing musical genres, collaborating with a wide array of compelling and diverse artists and integrating the modern orchestra into the worldwide community in innovative and powerful new ways. Defined by riveting performances, artistic excellence, a collaborative spirit and education initiatives infused with mindfulness and wellness practices, Bairos has reframed the role an artistic leader can hold for its organization and the community it serves.
Bairos is the artistic director, conductor, and co-founder for Nu Deco Ensemble, Miami’s 21st-century chamber orchestra. Since its inception in 2015, Nu Deco Ensemble has exploded onto Miami’s eclectic musical scene, captivating audiences, holistically engaging with its community and fusing innovative, genre-bending orchestral performances and collaborations with the highest levels of musical artistry.
As one of the most dynamic conductors of his generation, Bairos regularly works with and maintains relationships with some of the world’s greatest orchestras and institutions, including performances, recordings and tours with the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Singapore Symphony and others. Bairos also collaborates with and commissions original works for some of today’s most inspiring, prolific and Grammy Award-winning artists and soloists. He previously served as music director of the Amarillo Symphony.
Naples Philharmonic Chorus
Naples Philharmonic Chorus
Founded in 1991, the Naples Philharmonic Chorus is made up of adult singers of all ages and backgrounds, and performs in both pops and classical concerts each season with the Naples Philharmonic, including the orchestra’s popular Holiday Pops and Patriotic Pops programs.
Naples Philharmonic Chorus
Jeremy T. Warner
Jeremy T. Warner
Jeremy T. Warner is a passionate promoter of the choral arts. Since 1998, he has held a variety of conducting and artistic director positions throughout the academic, local community and church choral scenes. He is a respected clinician and has prepared professional choirs for touring performances in a variety of choral-orchestral settings, including multiple international tours. Jeremy completed his Master of Music in choral conducting at the University of Memphis, Bachelor of Music in theory and composition at Union University, three supplementary years of doctoral studies in choral conducting and a four-month residency in Salzburg, Austria.
Meet Jeremy
Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus
Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus
The Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus (NPYC) provides young singers performance opportunities on Hayes Hall stage alongside the Naples Philharmonic and at distinct community events. The nearly 100-voice NPYC is directed by Barbara Sletto and includes singers in elementary, middle and high school. NPYC rehearses in groups divided by age and ability on Monday evenings on the Artis—Naples Cultural Campus.
Auditions for new members are held in early August and January. Students from the age of 7 through high school are encouraged to audition.
Learn more about the Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus.
Barbara Sletto
Barbara Sletto
Barbara Sletto is the director of the Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus. In addition to preparing their own choral concerts, the chorus performs with the Naples Philharmonic and guest artists from all over the world. Barbara is the founder and former artistic director for the Heartland Youth Choir and has been the artistic director of several choirs throughout the Midwest. She continues to serve HYC in their summer programming and as a consultant. She also served as an adjunct professor at Drake University. Under her direction, choirs have performed for numerous national and state conferences. Barbara has guest conducted for numerous festival and all-state choirs throughout the United States, and she has served as the guest conductor for various summer choir camps. She completed her Master of Arts in music education with a Kodály emphasis at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Barbara has 14 published and commissioned works for treble choirs, including commissions for Iowa and Indiana all-state choirs.
Meet Barbara
Morgan James
Morgan James
“A phenomenal talent whose feel for classic soul music is bone deep … This woman is on fire.” – The New York Times
Morgan is a Juilliard-trained singer, songwriter, actress and recording artist. She has released seven albums, the most recent of which is 2023’s Nobody’s Fool. Following the release of her 2017 album, Reckless Abandon, she was lauded by Huffington Post as the “brightest breakout artist of the year.” In addition to her original music, Morgan co-produced and starred in an all-female concept recording of Jesus Christ Superstar. Morgan has taken on full album covers of the Beatles’ iconic White Album, Joni Mitchell’s Blue, Jeff Buckley’s Grace and many more. All of her music can be found on all streaming platforms, and hard copies are available for purchase on her website or at her shows.
On Broadway, Morgan was in five back-to-back original companies: The Addams Family, Wonderland, Godspell, Motown – The Musical, and as a guest in Kristin Chenoweth’s For the Girls.
With viral sensation Postmodern Jukebox and with her own YouTube channel, Morgan’s music videos have accumulated more than 285 million views (and climbing).
