Muncie Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Concert Returns December 6
Photographer / Chris Carroll
The Muncie Symphony Orchestra presents “In Search of the Perfect Christmas Song” on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Muncie Central High School.
The spirited concert features holiday classics and pop hits, including “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” “Last Christmas” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
The program showcases the work of multi-talented performer Andrew Lipke. Lipke is the show’s conductor, emcee, instrumentalist and vocalist. Throughout the show, Lipke searches for the perfect Christmas song while performing original compositions and playful twists on beloved holiday tunes.
Lipke previously performed in the Led Zeppelin tribute group Get the Led Out.
In 2022, the Muncie Symphony Orchestra and Marion Philharmonic Orchestra merged into Orchestra Indiana. Orchestra Indiana offers bold, innovative concert experiences. The nonprofit organization’s vision is to unite the community through the power of music and provide a gateway to fall in love with the symphony experience.
Yaniv Segal is in his first season as the artistic director and principal conductor of Orchestra Indiana. Segal has previously worked with The Beach Boys, Yitzhak Perlman, and conducted orchestras around the world, including in Japan, Italy, Poland, the U.K. and the U.S. Segal is in his fourth season as music director of the Salina Symphony in Kansas and is a director of orchestral training at the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings.
In his role, Segal would like to see Orchestra Indiana become part of the fabric of the Muncie community and arts scene. Segal said he wants to keep the art form moving by offering new works and exploring a range of musical genres from classical to pop to rock.
“I love the power of music because you have a shared common experience that is on one hand, shared, and on the other hand, unique to everyone in the room,” Segal says.
On March 14, 2026, Muncie Symphony Orchestra will present “In Search of the Magic,” featuring music from the “Harry Potter” films at Muncie Central High School. The program includes the spellbinding scores of John Williams, Patrick Doyle, Nicholas Hooper and Alexandre Desplat.
To conclude the season, Orchestra Indiana will present “In Search of Destiny” on May 9, 2026, at the Euler Science Complex at Taylor University. The program takes audiences on a soul-stirring journey of music that evokes themes of hope, fate and human striving. The program features the music of Brahms, Debussy and Segal’s original composition, “…the light that breathes…”
Segal says live music performance provides audiences with inspiration and respite.
“I don’t think we have humanity without art,” Segal says. “In every civilization, there has always been art — some kind of cultural connection made through performance.”
Segal’s commercial recordings include “Beethoven Reimagined” with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Segal previously was assistant conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Naples Philharmonic.
Segal says Muncie Symphony Orchestra, under the umbrella of Orchestra Indiana, is a rich palette of talented musicians.
“The symphony consists of more than 50 talented musicians all with a common goal of bringing the most incredible works of art and music to life,” Segal says.
Orchestra Indiana is composed of professors, students and professional musicians from East Central Indiana, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Cincinnati, Ohio. Orchestra Indiana musicians are from both the Muncie Symphony Orchestra and Marion Philharmonic Orchestra.
Violinist Noel Tretick-Gosling is a recording artist, nationally touring performer and in her ninth year as concertmaster for the Muncie Symphony Orchestra. Tretick-Gosling’s musical roots are in Muncie. Her father held the same chair as concertmaster for the Muncie Symphony Orchestra during his tenure as head of the string department at Ball State University from 1952 to 1962. Her mother, Patricia, was a professor of violin at Ball State University.
Tretick-Gosling has toured nationally with legendary pop stars including Luciano Pavarotti, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder and Johnny Mathis.
“There’s nothing like live music,” Tretick-Gosling says. “Muncie Symphony is very much alive and well.”
Tretick-Gosling performs regularly with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. She has a private teaching studio in Indianapolis and coaches Indianapolis Youth Orchestra students. Mihoko Watanabe is principal flute of Orchestra Indiana. Watanabe has adjudicated at international and national music festivals. A Japan Flute Association and National Flute Association winner, Watanabe has performed in Japan, England, Israel and Germany.
Watanabe is a professor of flute, the chair of the Entrepreneurial Music Certificate Program and Woodwind Area Coordinator at Ball State University.
Lisa Kozenko, principal oboist of Orchestra Indiana, was principal oboist of the New York City Opera National Company and has performed with the New York Philharmonic.
Orchestra Indiana partners include the National Endowment for the Arts, Indiana Arts Commission, Ball Brothers Foundation and The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County.
Orchestra Indiana season tickets are on sale now.
“In Search of the Perfect Christmas Song” is Saturday, Dec. 6, at Muncie Central High School, located at 801 N. Walnut St. Matinee performance at 4 p.m. Evening performance at 7:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $20. Student and children’s tickets are $5.
Orchestra Indiana is currently seeking an executive director to set the groundwork for widespread community support and philanthropy.
Orchestra Indiana’s office is located at 520 E. Main St., Floor 2M, in Muncie. Tickets and more information are available at orchestraindiana.org or by calling 765-216-0970.
