Grass Valley, CA, November 6, 2025 – Music in the Mountains (MIM) invites the community to celebrate the holidays in grand style with its annual Holiday Concerts on Saturday, December 13 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, December 14 at 2:00 PM at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley.
This year’s program is a jubilant mix of the familiar and the new, bringing together timeless carols, lush choral landscapes, and a dash of jazz, all performed by the MIM Chorus and the MIM Orchestra under the batons of Ariel May and Ryan Murray. The concerts will also feature two exceptional guest soloists: soprano Liisa Dávila and tenor Salvatore Atti, fan favorites who are returning to the MIM stage due to popular demand.
A Program Full of Heart and Tradition
“This concert is all about tradition,” says Music in the Mountains Artistic Director and Conductor Ryan Murray. “My favorite part is the audience; I love that the audience is familiar and right there with us with the sing-along. I like the way we come together as a community.”
The program features beloved seasonal works including Silent Night, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and O Come All Ye Faithful in fresh new arrangements. It also includes Sing Songs of Joy, a piece by local composer Jerry Grant, a longtime member of the Nevada County Composers Cooperative and a veteran of the Los Angeles music scene.
Audiences will also enjoy the atmospheric beauty of Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo, whose contemporary choral works, including a striking arrangement of the Coventry Carol, have become favorites in modern concert halls. The performance also includes an audience sing-along, a cherished MIM tradition that brings families, neighbors, and music lovers together in joyful harmony. Jazzy renditions of The Most Wonderful Time of the Year and other holiday classics round out the program and lift the energy at this feel-good event.
Celebrated Guest Artists
Liisa Dávila is known for her vocal clarity and dazzling coloratura, an elaborate style of ornamentation in vocal music, characterized by fast-paced runs, trills, and leaps. She has performed leading roles such as Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), Violetta (La Traviata), Mimi (La Bohème), and Liù (Turandot) with opera companies throughout California, including West Bay Opera and Fresno Grand Opera. She was a San Francisco District winner and Western Regional Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, among other accolades.
Salvatore Atti is bringing his radiant tenor voice and international experience to the MIM stage for a second season. “Everything is so festive and cheerful, and it really sets the tone for the holiday season,” said Atti. “My family gets to come too, which makes it even more special, especially since my travel schedule doesn’t always make that easy.” A graduate of the Boston Conservatory with multiple advanced degrees in vocal performance and opera, Atti has sung leading roles including Rodolfo (La Bohème), Don José (Carmen), and Alfredo (La Traviata) with companies across the U.S. and abroad. Praised by The Boston Globe for his “radiant” tone, Atti has performed with the St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir in tours across Europe, including a Verdi Bicentennial performance in Busseto, Italy, where he earned the affectionate nickname “Piccolo Pavarotti.” Atti enjoys singing with the MIM Chorus. “The musicians are such a joy to sing with; they’re so talented and committed that it makes performing feel fun and effortless,” he said.
A Beloved Community Event
The MIM Holiday Concerts have become one of Nevada County’s most anticipated seasonal events, combining professional artistry with community spirit. Families, longtime patrons, and newcomers alike gather each December for music that warms the heart and inspires connection.
Last year’s performances sold out, and this year’s program is expected to do the same. Early ticket reservations are highly recommended.
Event Details
What: The Music in the Mountains Holiday Concerts
When: Saturday, December 13 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, December 14 at 2:00 PM
Where: The Center for the Arts, 314 W. Main Street, Grass Valley, CA
Tickets: musicinthemountains.org
About Music in the Mountains
Founded in 1981, Music in the Mountains is dedicated to bringing world-class classical music to Nevada County through high-quality musical performances with professional musicians from all over the globe, youth education programs, and community engagement. From orchestral concerts and chamber music to choral performances and educational outreach, MIM fosters a vibrant musical culture in the Sierra foothills. Learn more at musicinthemountains.org