CAROLS by candlelight has been given a lifeline – and a new name – with sponsors rallying to the call to save Christmas.
Less than two weeks ago, Variety WA chief executive Tony Hume announced Carols by Candlelight would not go ahead this year, with major sponsor IGA pulling out and the charity unable to underwrite the community event itself.
Last year’s Carols by Candlelight dented Variety WA’s coffers after being cancelled due to severe storms.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“We’ve had to say no to a lot of kids this year, with the year we’ve had, so there was no way we could underwrite it,” Mr Hume said yesterday.
But within two days, sponsors new and old, including Channel 9, the City of Perth, LotteryWest and Burswood Park Board, were in a board room with Variety WA and the WA Symphony Orchestra creating a plan to ensure Perth’s Christmas spirit survived with a decision to change Symphony in the City to Christmas Symphony.
The new event at Langley Park on Saturday, December 15 will be hosted by Channel 9’s Louise Momber and Michael Thomson, featuring a program of classical music hits and Christmas carols performed by WASO, WASO Chorus, Variety Choir and a special guest appearance from Santa.
Families will be able to sing-along to Jingle Bells and Silent Night while also enjoying the Overture to Bernstein’s Candide, Jupiter from Holst’s The Planets and Tchaikovsky’s ever-popular 1812 Overture performed alongside a colourful fireworks-filled finale.
Mr Hume hopes Christmas Symphony will attract 30,000 people to Langley Park where pre-show entertainment begins at 5pm.
“The can-do community spirit of WA is alive and well,” WASO chief executive Craig Whitehead said.
“We are absolutely delighted with the response to our invitation to help.
“This new event will be a spectacular display of WA talent and an enjoyable evening for all.”
The full program for the evening will be announced on Wednesday, December 5.