The Concert Experience
A Tradition of Beauty and Sound
Experience Tahoe Philharmonic
For centuries, great music has found its natural home in churches and intimate gathering places. Long before modern concert halls, communities gathered beneath vaulted ceilings and stained glass to experience music not as background, but as something shared and transformative.
Today, Tahoe Philharmonic continues that tradition throughout the Tahoe Basin and Northern Nevada. Each performance is an invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and rediscover the joy of live music. Surrounded by mountains, lakes, and welcoming communities, concertgoers find that an evening with Tahoe Philharmonic offers something increasingly rare: beauty, connection, and the timeless power of music.
Handel’s Messiah &
Christmas Carols
A beloved holiday tradition. An extraordinary evening of music. And a chance to sing along!
Celebrate the season with the Tahoe Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus for an evening filled with beautiful music, familiar Christmas favorites, and the magnificent sounds of Handel’s Messiah.
From quiet, tender moments to the breathtaking power of the full chorus and orchestra, Messiah takes audiences on a musical journey filled with hope, reflection, triumph, and joy.
And then, of course, there is the moment everyone knows…
The “Hallelujah” Chorus.
Even if you have never attended a classical concert, chances are, you’ve heard this iconic music.
But experiencing it live, with the voices of the chorus rising above the orchestra, is something entirely different.
And this concert isn’t just about listening—we want you to be part of the music, too!
Throughout the evening, we’ll celebrate the season together with the audience singing along, featuring familiar holiday favorites. You may sing every word with us or simply sit back and enjoy the voices around you. Either way, it’s a wonderful opportunity to share the music and spirit of the season.
Whether Messiah has been part of your holiday tradition for years or this will be your very first time experiencing it live, we invite you to join us for an evening of beautiful music, Christmas favorites, and a little holiday magic.
Come listen. Come sing. Come celebrate the season with Tahoe Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus.
November 29th at 2 pm
Messiah Sing-A-Long
2 pm - St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church
100 Bishop Manogue Dr, Reno, NV 89511
Have you ever wished you could sing Messiah again?
Perhaps you sang Handel's Messiah in high school, college, or your church choir. You remember the thrill of those magnificent choruses, but life got busy, and somewhere along the way, singing took a back seat.
Here's your chance to experience that joy again!
Join Maestro James Rawie and the Tahoe Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus for a special Messiah Sing-Along - an afternoon when singers from our community are invited to become part of the music.
This isn't a traditional concert, and you don't need to commit to weeks of rehearsals. You'll sit alongside experienced Tahoe Philharmonic chorus members in your own voice section, soprano, alto, tenor, or bass, and sing selections from Handel's beloved masterpiece accompanied by our orchestra.
Whether you remember every note or need a little help finding your way back, you'll be surrounded by singers who know the music and are happy to share the experience. We'll also enjoy a few seasonal favorites, including O Holy Night and Joy to the World.
We'll take a break for a friendly meet-and-greet with refreshments, giving everyone a chance to reconnect with old friends and meet fellow music lovers.
One afternoon. A full orchestra. The joy of singing Messiah together.
12-06
Upcoming Concerts
Garnerville, NV
3 pm - St. Gall Catholic Church
1343 Centerville Ln, Gardnerville, NV 89410
12-12
Olympic Valley, CA
3 pm - Everline Resort and Spa
400 Squaw Creek Rd, Olympic Valley, CA 96146
Bring a Toy. Park for Free. Spread Some Joy!
Enjoy complimentary self-parking at Everline Resort & Spa while making Christmas a little brighter for a child!
We're delighted to partner with Everline Resort & Spa in supporting Toys for Tots this holiday season.
Simply bring a new, unwrapped toy to our Handel's Messiah concert. When you arrive—or anytime before you leave—stop by the resort's front desk, drop off your toy, and have your parking ticket validated.
That's it! Your self-parking is complimentary, and your gift will help bring holiday joy to a child in need.
Come for the music, share in the spirit of giving, and enjoy a wonderful afternoon at Everline Resort & Spa—without worrying about parking fees.
12-13
12-18
Incline Village, NV
6:30 pm - St. Francis of Assisi Lake Tahoe
701 Mt Rose Hwy, Incline Village, NV 89451
12-20
South Lake Tahoe, CA
3 pm - St Teresa Catholic Church
1041 Lyons Ave, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
"There is something magical about hearing Bach or Beethoven in those spaces. The orchestra starts, and for two hours the rest of the world disappears. You don't simply hear the music—you feel it.”
- Tracy Shepard
2027 Season Schedule
Go4BRRRoque - January 8-10th
Mozart in the Mountains - January 29-31st
BEETHOVEN Bicentennial: The Vision of Peace - February 20-28th
Easter Celebration - March 27 - Apr 3rd
The Classics+ 200th Anniversary 1770 - 1827 - May 31- June 6th
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL June 30 - July 7th
Nightz at Tahoe Opera in late July 28 - August 3rd
Requiem 9/11 We Remember Concert - September 12-19th
Hallelujah! Messiah - December
Dates, Times, Locations, and lineup are subject to change.
Why People Love Attending Tahoe
Philharmonic Concerts
Why We Perform in Churches
Many of the world's greatest masterpieces were written with sacred spaces in mind. The soaring lines of Bach, the grandeur of Handel, and the warmth of Brahms come alive in churches whose architecture naturally enriches the sound. High ceilings and resonant spaces allow voices and instruments to bloom with a richness and clarity that cannot be duplicated electronically.
These sanctuaries offer more than exceptional acoustics. They create a sense of intimacy and reflection, reminding us that music has long been a source of inspiration, celebration, and community. In these spaces, the setting itself becomes part of the performance, enhancing the experience in ways that linger long after the final note.
Music By The Lake
Few places in the world offer such a remarkable meeting of natural beauty and great music. From the sparkling shores of Lake Tahoe to the mountain communities that surround it, every concert is touched by the landscape that makes this region so beloved.
Many patrons make an evening of it—sharing dinner with friends, watching the changing light over the lake, and then gathering together for an unforgettable performance. As the seasons change, so does the character of each concert, creating memories that become part of family traditions and cherished moments with friends.
A Tradition Continued
For more than twenty-one years, Tahoe Philharmonic has brought together musicians, singers, and audiences in a tradition that reaches back centuries. Long before music was confined to concert halls, people gathered in places of beauty to celebrate life's joys, mourn its sorrows, and find meaning in shared experiences.
That spirit remains alive today. Audiences return season after season not only for beloved masterpieces and distinguished guest artists, but for something less easily described—a feeling of belonging, wonder, and connection. New friendships are formed, traditions are passed from one generation to the next, and every performance becomes part of a story still being written.
Music and Memory
There is something almost timeless about gathering for music beside a great lake. Throughout history, people have marked the seasons, celebrated holidays, and come together in moments of joy and remembrance through song. Over the years, Tahoe Philharmonic has become part of that living tradition.
For some, it is the annual Messiah at Christmastime. For others, it is an Easter performance, a summer evening beneath the Sierra sky, or a September concert of remembrance. These moments become woven into the rhythm of life itself. Memories are made, children become adults, friendships deepen, and familiar melodies take on new meaning.
Perhaps that is the true magic of live music—not merely that we hear it, but that we experience it together, in beautiful places, and carry those memories with us long after the echoes have faded.
2026 Season Performers
Kevin Matheson
KEVIN MATHESON guest violinist, was awarded first prize in the 2021 Charleston International Music Competition for his performance
of Vieuxtemps’ “Souvenirs d’Amérique.” Kevin recently recorded the first movement from the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with
the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic Orchestra in Zlin, Czech Republic for the Cicerone Music and Arts label.
Anne Davidson
ANNE DAVIDSON, soprano, started her solo singing career before she can remember under the direction of her mother Helen. She has studied voice with Bill Reed of Circle in the Square, New York City, and Patricia McGuinness of University of California, Santa Cruz. She was the soloist in Kim André Arnesen’s Magnificat with Vox Musica in 2022 under the direction of Daniel Paulson and the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors with the Reno Pops Orchestra in 2019.
Annie is a recording singer-songwriter and performs solo and with her folk-rock band Raggedy in the Reno/Tahoe region. She is also a Senior Associate with EdMetric, a small education research firm, when she is not following her two daughters around.
Stuart Duke
STUART ALAN DUKE, baritone, earned his B.S. in Music Education at the University of Vermont in 1976, with a specialty in voice. He made his European debut in 1994 as a soloist at the Pitten International Music Festival in Austria and toured New England under the direction of Robert DeCormier, performing as The Loudspeaker, in Viktor Ullmann’s Holocaust Opera, The Emperor of Atlantis. He was a founding member and soloist with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Chorus. He received his Masters of Music at UNR in Vocal Performance. Local performances include Melchoir in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Don Alphonso in Cosi fan tutti, Baron Zeta in La Traviata, Reverend Olin Blitch in Floyd’s Susannah, and Mr. Gobenot in Menotti’s The Medium. His appearances with Nevada Opera include Fiorello in The Barber of Seville, & Yamadori in Madame Butterfly. He is a founding member of TahoePhil.
Anna Helwing
ANNA HELWING, soprano, was born and raised in Poland where she earned B.A. and M.A. in English and American Literature. She also studied piano and organ at the Wroclaw School of Organ. In 2008 she received her MA in vocal performance at Univ. Nevada, Reno, studying with with Dr. Katharine DeBoer. She performed solo concerts in Germany, Italy, and Poland, collaborating with international artists, including early music Swiss pan-flutist Philippe Emmanuel Haas. She regularly appears as a soloist with TAHOE PHILHARMONIC, Sierra Nevada College Choir, NorthStar Chamber Players, Opera Bel Canto of Reno, Nevada Opera, and organizers of Valhalla Arts Festival and San Francisco International Arts Festival. She resides in South Lake Tahoe, where she teaches piano and voice at Lake Tahoe Community College, and works as a church music director and organist. She conducted Tahoe Choir 2015-17
Debbie Sessions
Debbie Sessions, coloratura soprano began singing at a young age when she was cast in The Sound of Music as one of the von trap children. From there she studied Music and Art at Linfield College and sang in multiple choirs and light operas in the San Francisco bay area before coming to Reno in 2005. She has sung with Nevada Opera chorus, Reno Philharmonic chorus, and Toccata tahoe. She took a 13 year break from music to raise a family with 3 kids and a lot of pets. She is very glad to be back singing and now soloing with Tahoe Phil as well as managing marketing for the Phil and her own business, VintageDancer.com
Lorelei Van Peborgh
LORELEI VAN PEBORGH, mezzo, grew up in San Diego listening to classical music and attending operas and symphonic concerts. She learned to play the violin, piano and cello. In a Vermont high school she discovered her fourth instrument, the voice, and since then has thoroughly enjoyed singing in choirs. With a broad vocal range that allows her to transition between tenor, alto and soprano ranges. Her three children recognize her passion for singing as the "balm that feeds her soul". From 2011-2020 she was a soloist with Sierra Nevada College Community Choir, and is a regular soloist with North Tahoe Community Choir under the direction of Donna Axton.
Know Before You Go
Frequently Asked Questions
Tickets
Tickets are best purchased online to ensure your seat, but will also be available at the door if space allows. We prefer cash or checks for in-person purchases, though mobile payments are also accepted (please bring your physical credit/debit card).
If you buy tickets at the door, don’t forget to sign up for our email list—you’ll be the first to hear about our upcoming concerts!
Do You Have Season Tickets?
Season tickets are included with donation levels starting at $200. Our Season runs September through August. Season tickets may be purchased at any time during the season. Choose your Season Tickets here.
Parking
All concert venues offer free, ample parking with dedicated handicap spaces located near the entrances. We recommend arriving 20–30 minutes early to secure the most convenient spots, especially if mobility is a concern.
Restrooms
All concert venues have restrooms located on the main floor or accessible via elevator. You are welcome to use them at any time during the concert. Our friendly volunteers will be happy to assist you in locating them.
Food and Drinks
Most venues do not allow food or beverages inside the concert space. Closed water bottles may be permitted at some locations but not others. Please check with a volunteer usher for guidance.
When to Arrive
The orchestra and chorus rehearse prior to the concert. Doors will typically open at 20-30 minutes before the start of the show.
When to Applaud?
Traditional classical concert etiquette suggests:
- Applaud only at the very end of a violin concerto or a Requiem. The conductor will lower his arms completely and turn to the audience.
- Avoid clapping between movements or sections.
- However, if you are so moved, please applaud as you feel.
🎻 Youth Tickets
At Tahoe Philharmonic, we believe in inspiring the next generation of music lovers. All youth under 23 enjoy free general admission to every concert. Discounted tickets are also available in preferred and premium seating areas.
Refunds
All ticket sales are final. Refunds will only be issued in the event a concert is canceled.
If you are unable to attend, unused tickets may be turned in at the concert and gifted to another attendee—thank you for paying it forward.
You may also request a ticket to a future concert, pending availability. Please contact us via the website contact form or email.
Unused tickets may also be written off as a charitable donation, as provided by law. EIN: 33-131822