MASSENA -- Tickets for a benefit concert featuring the renowned Orchestra of Northern New York and the Massena High School Mixed Chorus are now available locally.

The Orchestra, under the baton of Kenneth Andrews, will bring its “Holiday Festival” performance to the Massena High School auditorium Dec. 15 at 3 p.m.

“We are very pleased to be bringing the orchestra and their wonderful, classic Holiday program back to Massena this season”, said Massena Music Friends President Paul Haggett.

Tickets for the concert are $15 in advance for adults and $12 for students and senior citizens and are available at Season’s Specialty Gifts, 27 West Orvis St. and at Phil and Jackie’s Gift Shop, 69 Main St. Tickets are also available online through the Orchestra of Northern New York website, www.onny.org. Admission at the door will be $18 for adults and $15 for students and seniors.

The concert is a benefit for Massena Music Friends, which raises funds to meet the beyond-the-budget needs of the MCS music department.

“This year, MMF hopes to purchase two new tubas for the elementary band program, finance the repair or replacement of worn out string basses for the orchestra and buy a new electronic keyboard for Junior High School classroom music”, said Haggett.

The concert will feature many staples of the Holiday season including Tchaikovsky’s nutcracker suite, sleigh ride by Leroy Anderson and the Christmas concerto by Archangelo Corelli.

“We’re also pleased to offer once again to over 100 high school students the rare opportunity to perform alongside a professional symphony orchestra”, said Haggett.

Businesses, groups or individuals interested in sponsoring ONNY’s “Holiday Festival” can contact Paul Haggett at 250-16725 or Pat Tubbs at 769-1982, or send donations to Massena Music Friends at P.O. Box 83, Massena.

“So far, we have raised about $3,700 in sponsorships to help defray the orchestra’s $8,000 performance fee”, said Haggett.