Los Alamos Symphony Brings Free Holiday Pops Concert to Community
The Los Alamos Symphony presented its annual Holiday Pops Concert at Crossroads Bible Church on December 7, drawing families and neighbors for an evening of seasonal music and community connection. The free event reinforced cultural access for residents, offered opportunities for local artists, and highlighted both the benefits and public health considerations of large indoor gatherings during the winter season.
The Los Alamos Symphony Orchestra filled Crossroads Bible Church with music and holiday cheer on December 7, offering a free Holiday Pops Concert that welcomed audiences of all ages. The program opened with a playful chorus of tubas performing classic Christmas tunes, then moved into a full orchestral lineup that included The Polar Express, Gabriel's Oboe, and the shimmering Winter Bells. The evening also featured selections titled Christmas Eve Sarajevo and sparkling excerpts from Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, with dancers from DALA's annual Sugarplum on the Hill performing alongside the orchestra.
During intermission, attendees could participate in a holiday raffle that offered the chance to conduct the orchestra in a lively rendition of Jingle Bells, an interactive moment designed to engage community members directly with the music. The concert concluded with the crowd favorite Sleigh Ride, complete with the orchestra's trumpet section delivering the program's signature "horse" solo. After the final piece, musicians and audience members gathered for a holiday reception, extending the night as a space for social connection and shared celebration. Donations were gratefully accepted at the door to support the symphony's ongoing community performances.
For Los Alamos County residents, the concert offered more than entertainment. Free admission reduced financial barriers to cultural participation, strengthening inclusion for families, seniors, students, and residents on limited incomes. Featuring local dancers and interactive elements, the event underscored the symphony's role as a civic asset that cultivates local talent and builds intergenerational ties.
At the same time, the gathering took place amid the winter season when respiratory illnesses circulate more widely. Indoor celebrations bring proven benefits to mental health and social cohesion, while also posing risks for spread of colds, influenza, and other viruses. Community organizations and individuals can balance those benefits and risks by encouraging anyone who is feeling unwell to stay home, following local health guidance on vaccinations and respiratory hygiene, and supporting one another in accessing care and prevention resources.
The concert demonstrated how arts programming can serve as both cultural nourishment and a point of civic connection, while also highlighting the public health and equity questions that arise when communities gather during winter months.
