Soprano Jenny Kim-Godfrey joins Pops Orchestra for holiday concert

Jenny Kim-Godfrey is a Sarasota soprano who was born in South Korea. This weekend, she’ll be joining the Pops Orchestra for their seasonal concert.

The people from the Pops say they’re excited to feature Kim-Godfrey for this particular program. Besides being a respected singer, she has a special fondness for holiday music. She has told them about her cherished childhood memories caroling in nursing homes.

Kim-Godfrey will be the featured soloist “Holiday Popera.” It’s slated for two performances, Sunday at the Riverview Performing Arts Center in Sarasota and Monday at the State College of Florida’s Neel Performing Arts Center in Bradenton.

As the title implies, the concert combines classical selections plus popular holiday favorites. Among the pieces on the program are “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” an aria from Handel’s oratorio “Samson” titled “Let the Bright Seraphim” that includes a piccolo trumpet solo by Sarasota’s Aaron Romm, and “Silent Night,” performed by Godfrey-Kim and her husband, guitarist Jonathan Godfrey.

Pops conductor Robyn Bell will lead the orchestra in variations on “Joy to the World” arrangement as well as a “Festive Sounds of Hanukkah” selection.

Kim-Godfrey will also perform the traditional Korean folk song “Ariang.”

Details: 3 p.m. Dec. 10 Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota; and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11, Neel Performing Arts Center at State College of Florida, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton. $20 general seating, $25 premium. 941-926-7677, thepopsorchestra.org.

This story was originally published December 6, 2017 at 4:28 PM with the headline "Soprano Jenny Kim-Godfrey joins Pops Orchestra for holiday concert."