Host David Prather Joined by the Angeles Chorale in Two Performances

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2008, AT 11:30 AM AND 2:30 PM

A yearly staple of the Deck the Hall series is the Holiday Sing-Along hosted by spirited storyteller David Prather at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Sunday, December 21, at 11:30 AM & 2:30 PM. Walt Disney Concert Hall Organ Conservator Phil Smith plays the Hall's famous pipe organ complemented by the glorious voices of the Angeles Chorale along with piano, bass and drums as Prather leads audiences in the one of the greatest holiday sing-alongs in the city for two shows filled with holiday cheer.

The Holiday Sing-Along encourages audiences not only to listen but also to participate in the merry spirit of the season. Patrons are provided with lyric sheets as they belt out famed carols in an annual sold out concert that is fun for the whole family and entertaining for all ages.

Deck the Hall, presented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, is a series of festive performances throughout the month of December featuring an array of exceptional artists offering seasonal music. Other performances include: Twas the Week Before Christmas, December 21 at 7 PM; The Count Basie Orchestra, December 22; Soweto Gospel Choir, December 23; and Pink Martini, December 31 at 7 and 10:30 PM.

For the past eleven years DAVID PRATHER has been the popular host of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's "Summer Sounds: Music and Art for Kids at the Hollywood Bowl"-you may recognize him as "Cap'n Dave." He has hosted numerous other programs with the orchestra, including last year's "Twas the Week Before Christmas" shows, as well as Toyota Symphonies for Youth, and Penninsula Fair concerts. He has narrated such classics as "Peter and the Wolf" and orchestral versions of "Casey at the Bat" and "The Night Before Christmas" with conductors Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Alexander Mickelthwate, and Joanna Carneiro among others. Prather is also a respected arts educator whose work for the Music Center of Los Angeles and the Orange County Performing Arts Center has taken him to thousands of schools throughout greater Los Angeles; this includes presenting original shows such as "Poetry Jam," "Star-Spangled Poetry," and "The Bully Dudes," as well as conducting classroom workshops. In addition, he has been involved in both the San Francisco Symphony's "Keeping Score" and the NEA's Anchor Works projects. His commissioned play, "When Harlem Was in Vogue" was presented by the Alley Theatre in Texas. Last month, Prather performed his play for young audiences "John and Juan" at both the Kimo Theatre, and the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexcio. Prather's love of music began early, as a boy treble at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.. A graduate of Princeton University and The American Conservatory Theatre, he lives in Burbank with his wife and two children.

The 130-voice ANGELES CHORALE is a volunteer organization of auditioned, professional-level choral singers and its mission is to present choral concerts of the highest caliber, expand the musical abilities of its singers, and broaden appreciation for fine choral music in the Los Angeles community. The Angeles Chorale has appeared as guest artist with the area's leading orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Pasadena Symphony, the Pasadena Pops, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the California Philharmonic, the Long Beach Symphony, and the Glendale Symphony Orchestra, as well as numerous appearances with the American Youth Symphony. Angeles Chorale voices are also often heard in movie theaters around the world, having recorded large numbers of choral backgrounds and effects used in feature films, trailers and television advertisements. The more recent movies are "Incredible Hulk", "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince", and the Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian", among others, as well as the opening film to the "2008 Beijing Olympics" for NBC.

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2008, at 11:30 AM AND 2:30 PM

WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL, 111 S. Grand Ave, Los Angeles



Holiday Sing-Along



DAVID PRATHER, host

ANGELES CHORALE

ANTHONY MAGLIONE,conductor

PHILIP SMITH, organ



Band:

JOHN BEASLEY, piano

RANDY DRAKE, drums

MERLYN KELLY, bass

Tickets ($24-$71) are on sale now at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office, online at LAPhil.com, or via credit card phone order at 323.850.2000. A limited number of $10 rush tickets for seniors and full-time students may be available at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office two hours prior to the performance. Valid identification is required; one ticket per person; cash only. Groups of 10 or more may be eligible for special discounts for selected concerts and seating areas. Tickets make great gifts! For information, please call 323.850.2000.

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