The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year for many reasons, but the time-honored tradition of Holiday Pops has been a community mainstay for years. The 2025 program features internationally renowned Broadway star and soprano, Meghan Picerno, as well as the Flint Symphony Orchestra, Flint Symphony Chorus, Flint Youth Chorus and Fenton High School Ambassadors, led by guest music director and conductor Abdiel Vázquez, returning to the concert for his fourth year by popular demand.

Although holiday traditions take different forms for different families, it’s rooted in spending quality time with loved ones. Music can be a universal uniting force all of the time, but especially during the holidays.

Guest artist, soprano Meghan Picerno, (known for her historic performance on Broadway as Christine Daae in Phantom of the Opera, among other leading lady Broadway and opera roles), said that in her experience performing on five continents, music uplifts society, no matter where you are.

“Especially with an opportunity such as this concert, where the local community is not solely in the audience but involved directly in the performance, there’s an added element of pride that happens — it’s an excitement, a direct exchange of energy and the human spirit,” said Picerno.

Michelle Tschirhart, FSO operations manager explained that the students performing alongside professionals gives them a vision of how polished the final product can be.

“It inspires them. Any time you do something with someone who’s better than you, it makes you better,” said Tschirhart.

She explained that the students will also benefit from working with a seasoned performer like Picerno.
“They’ll see someone who put in a lot of work like they’re doing now and managed to turn it into a highly successful career,” said Michelle.

“You never know! A future Tony Award-winner might be in that chorus, and even if they’re not, it might touch them in a new way where music then becomes a very poignant part of their lives,” said Picerno.

In a digital age of AI, phones and social media, connection is more important than ever. Picerno explained that each performance, with that specific group of performers and audience members, is a 100% authentic and unique human experience that can’t be replicated by AI.

“This is one of those really good, beautifully transcendent aspects of humanity: coming together young and old, of all races and religions, professional and amateur, purely for the love, music and connection, to celebrate the festive season together for this once-in-a-lifetime concert,” she said.

Holiday Pops brings the season to life with a festive blend of traditional favorites and contemporary holiday classics, complete with joyful singalongs and all the warmth of cherished traditions. It’s the perfect chance to gather with family and friends, celebrate the spirit of togetherness, and embrace the magic of the holidays.