Space Coast Symphony to Present ‘Cantique de Noel’ Nov. 15 at Eastminster Presbyterian Church Indialantic

Admission to Cantique de Noel is free of charge

BREVARD COUNTY • INDIALANTIC, FLORIDA – As we usher in the most beautiful time of the year, the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is proud to present two exceptional artists in a free recital: Cantique de Noel will feature international songs of Christmas on Saturday, November 15, at 7 p.m., at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 106 N. Riverside Drive in Indialantic.

Celebrated Vero Beach pianist Jacob Craig will accompany American soprano Mary Anne Kruger in a program of the most cherished melodies from around the world, performed in their original languages.

The audience will experience the reverent power of “Cantique de Noël” in its native French, and the hushed, tranquil beauty of “Stille Nacht” in the original German.

This special recital will pay tribute to the American tradition of Christmas in song, including the classic “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” written during wartime for soldiers longing for home.

The program also includes beloved works such as Gounod’s “Ave Maria,” Handel’s joyful “Rejoice Greatly” from Messiah, a heartfelt arrangement of the “Coventry Carol,” Chaminade’s enchanting “Noël des Oiseaux,” Franck’s famed setting of “Panis Angelicus,” and many more.

Admission to Cantique de Noel is free of charge. A $20 donation is suggested to help defray the production costs of free community concerts. For more information about Cantique de Noel, call 855-252-7276 or visit www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org.

From snow-dusted cathedrals to quiet, candlelit homes, the sacred sounds of Christmas have traveled across continents and through generations, weaving a tapestry of warmth and hope. Aaron T. Collins, Artistic Director of the Space Coast Symphony, is delighted to present Cantique de Noel as a free gift to the community.

“This truly is a beautiful time of year,” said Collins. “Across every composition, every language, and every tradition, one message remains constant: peace on earth and goodwill toward all.”

Upcoming programs through 2025 include a John Denver tribute concert and orchestra fundraiser on November 22 in Vero Beach; Jingle, a Big Band Holiday Spectacular by the SCSO Jazz Orchestra on November 29 and 30; a Messiah Sing-Along December 5 in Indialantic; Hooray for Hollywood: the Sequel, on December 13 and 14; and Sleeping Beauty with International Ballet Stars troupe December 28 at the King Center in Melbourne.

The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is one of only a handful of U.S. orchestras to perform year-round. Concertgoers aged 18 and under or with a college ID are admitted free to every SCSO concert. For more information about the Space Coast Symphony 2025-26 season or the Symphony for Everyone ticket program, visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org or call 855-252-7276.

ABOUT MARY ANNE KRUGER

American soprano Mary Anne Kruger graduated with a Master of Music degree from Indiana University, where she studied voice with world-renowned voice teacher Margaret Harshaw. She then went to Germany, where she established an impressive repertoire of over 40 major operatic and concert roles.

Her repertoire spans in vocal range from Pamina (Die Zauberflöte) to Salome, and in stylistic range from Poppea (L’Incornazione di Poppea) to Anne Trulove (The Rake’s Progress), as well as some world and German premieres.

Among innumerable accolades, Opernwelt called her Contessa (“Le Nozze di Figaro”) “dazzling”, and Orfeus International declared her Salome to be “worthy of the greatest houses.”

She built her repertoire primarily as a member of the Hessisches Staatstheater Darmstadt. Still, she has performed in over 20 European theaters, including the Bayerische Staatsoper (Nationaltheater) in Munich, Staatstheater Stuttgart, the Latvian National Opera, and Theater Basel.

Her prizes include a nomination in the category “Best Singer” in the Opernwelt Jahrbuch for her portrayal of Alcina. She was awarded the role of Donna Elvira in the Don Giovanni production at the Athens Concert Hall directed by Ruggiero Raimondi and conducted by Gustav Kühn.

The “Sonderpreis der Wiener Staats-und Volksoper” at the Belvedere Competition secured for her a performance as Hanna Glawari (Die Lustige Witwe) at the Wiener Volksoper. She was also awarded a DAAD scholarship (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdient) to study at the Hochschule für Musik in Munich. She currently lives in Satellite Beach with her husband and two dogs.

Dr. Jacob Craig is the Director of Music and Arts at First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach, Florida. Jacob moved to Vero Beach in 2012 and continues to delight churchgoers and crowds alike with his virtuosic skill on piano and organ.

He is particularly talented at jazz piano, which he frequently performs during services. Former Dean Andrew Galuska of the Treasure Coast Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, said of Craig, “Jacob is an enthusiastic and multi-talented young musician who has not only revitalized the performance of sacred music in his own church, but has also had an exciting impact on music in our community at large.

His success at working with and encouraging young musicians is unparalleled.”

As a result of his work with local youth, Craig was the most recent recipient of the Indian River County Cultural Council’s Laurel Award for Excellence in Education. As the Director of Music and Arts at First Presbyterian, Jacob directs the Chancel Choir, Youth String Orchestra, and more.

In the community, Dr. Craig directs the Silver Tones, a seniors-only community choir sponsored by the Senior Resource Association, the ACTS Choir based out of Indian River Estates, the Sea Oaks Chorus, the John’s Island Singers, and the semi-professional auditioned-only Vero Beach Choral Society.

Jacob also maintains an active performing career and enthusiastically supports other local nonprofit organizations such as the Vero Vino Festival, Vero Beach Chamber Orchestra, Treasure Coast Wind Ensemble, Space Coast Symphony, and Treasure Coast Youth Orchestra. Dr. Craig is on the board of the Indian River Symphonic Association.

In addition to his skill at the keyboard, Jacob is a professional-level bagpiper and the Pipe Major/founder of the Vero Beach Pipes and Drums. Jacob received his Bachelor of Music Education and Piano Performance degree from Shorter University in Rome, GA, before moving on to Tallahassee, FL, to receive his M.M. in Choral Conducting and Literature under Dr. Andre Thomas at Florida State University.

He received his Doctorate in Sacred Music from the Graduate Theological Foundation, a partner of Oxford University in England. As part of his post-doctorate study, he attended a summer sabbatical on-site at Oxford University in 2019, which resulted in a culminating and conferred degree.

In addition to his musical and artistic endeavors, Dr. Craig also trains regularly as a boxer and is an aerobatic pilot, building time towards an ATP rating.

ABOUT THE SPACE COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The SCSO is a lively and passionate Central Florida orchestra comprised of professional musicians, music educators and mentored amateurs of exceptional ability. The Orchestra was formed by Conductor and Artistic Director Aaron T. Collins with a two-fold mission: to provide mentoring and performance opportunities for Florida’s finest young musicians as well as to provide professional concerts at genuinely affordable prices. The ultimate goal of the organization is to help ensure the symphonic tradition for the enjoyment of future generations. The SCSO is dedicated to supporting the work of living composers and shining a light on new music.

By performing and commissioning today’s brightest composers, the SCSO brings fresh, exhilarating sounds to life in the concert hall. Roughly thirty percent of all SCSO performances include a work by living composers, many of whom call Florida home. The SCSO actively promotes diversity by programming works by composers who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Since 2009, the SCSO has presented dozens of World Premieres and Southeastern U.S. Premieres.

Aaron T. Collins continues to garner recognition for his achievements. LEAD Brevard named the ambitious Collins one of their “4 under 40” Young Professionals, the youngest-ever recipient of the honor. Space Coast Business magazine listed him as one of Brevard’s “100 Most Admired Businesspeople.” Collins is a past recipient of the Richard A. Stark Award for cultural leadership from the Cultural Council of Indian River County. Through his personal involvement with more than a dozen performing arts groups, pioneering reciprocal ad program and social media cross promotions, Collins has gained a reputation for generosity; championing other arts organizations throughout Central Florida for the cultural enrichment of the community.

School-aged children 18 years and under are admitted free of charge, as are college students with a valid ID. In keeping with their mission, the symphony offers a unique Symphony for Everyone ticketing program. This “pay-what-you-can” option provides substantially discounted admission to any Space Coast Symphony concert. Relying on a non-traditional orchestra model and a slim budget, the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is one of only a handful of U.S. orchestras to perform year-round.

The nonprofit organization also maintains the Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra and the Space Coast Symphony Wind Orchestra, with several free performances each year.

More information about the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concerts, ticket sales, venues, directions, and sponsorship opportunities is available at SpaceCoastSymphony.org by calling 855-252-7276.

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