Madison City Youth Orchestra’s holiday schedule includes the Children’s Lantern Parade in downtown Madison on Nov. 22, Santa’s Village on Dec. 1 and their Winter Concert at Merrimack Performing Arts Center on Dec. 15. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Madison City Youth Orchestra has set its pace to ‘allegro’ (fast) for its event-packed Christmas season.

Braving bitter cold, conductors William and Rebecca Wortham led the youngsters in traditional Christmas carols, sacred and secular, for the Christmas tree lighting at Bridge Street Town Centre on Nov. 14.

“The little ones said they couldn’t feel their fingers after the performance, but they kept playing and smiling throughout,” Rebecca Wortham said. The orchestra enjoyed hearing their music piped through the shopping compound.”

On Nov. 22, the orchestra play from 5:30 to 6 p.m. for the Children’s Lantern Parade in downtown Madison. “We’re thankful to Madison Arts Council and city events coordinator Gayle Milam for inviting us,” Wortham said. Their program will include “Jolly Old St. Nicholas,” “Good King Wenceslas,” “Up on the Housetop” and “Joy to the World.”

The youth will share their music at Santa’s Village, 109 Gates Ave. in Huntsville, on Dec. 1 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. At this “student-run concert,” orchestra members will take the podium to conduct. “Throughout each semester, as students display an interest in conducting, we have them shadow us,” Wortham said.

Merrimack Performing Arts Center will host the orchestra’s Winter Concert on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. In a classical/Christmas mix, their program will feature global carols, “Dona Dobis Pacem,” “The Four Seasons” and “Sleepers Awake.” Novice Strings and Winds, beginner, intermediate and advanced ensembles will entertain.

“Debra Jenkins at Merrimack has been a God-send to our orchestra,” Wortham said.

“We’ve hired two more conductors, Scott Ripplinger and Cat Perry, for a total of five. A constant flow of high school students is applying to be interns,” she said. Their website now features “Students of the Week” (madisoncityyouthorchestra.com). The organization soon will have non-profit status.

Haven Baptist Church hosts their Monday night rehearsals.

“The special appeal of our students is their ability to have fun and make friends while making music. The biggest compliment throughout the community is that our students look like they’re having a lot of fun (as they perform),” Wortham said.

For more information, call 256-479-3690, email to teachersquared@gmail.com or visit Facebook/Madison City Youth Orchestra.