TH·FM Launches New Holiday Tradition With December Concertos

The TH·FM Salon Orchestra returns for “Christmas Concertos: The Sound and Spirit of the Season,” featuring Associate Concertmaster Garry Ianco and Associate Conductor Logan Souther.

The Hamptons Festival of Music will present its salon orchestra in a pair of holiday concerts for the first time this December, blending live Baroque music with seasonal poetry as part of the festival’s expanding year-round programming.

The performances are scheduled for Thursday, December 18, at 6 p.m. at Springs Community Presbyterian Church, 5 Old Stone Highway, and Friday, December 19, at 6 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 18 James Lane.

Under the direction of Associate Conductor Logan Souther, the intimate programs — titled “Christmas Concertos: The Sound and Spirit of the Season” — will feature a roster of Baroque favorites, including Corelli’s Concerto Grosso in G minor, Op. 6, No. 8, “Christmas”; Torelli’s Concerto Grosso in G minor, Op. 8, No. 6, “Christmas”; Handel’s Concerto Grosso in G major, Op. 6, No. 1; and Vivaldi’s “Winter” from “The Seasons,” with Garry Ianco as violin soloist.

Seasonal poetry readings will accompany the music, with Tony-nominated actor Paul Hecht appearing on December 18 and designer Marshall Watson reading on December 19. Festival organizers say the expanded format is intended to establish a new holiday tradition for families and community members across the East End.

The holiday concerts cap what festival leaders describe as a banner year for The Hamptons Festival of Music. The organization celebrated three sold-out MainStage performances in September 2025 featuring The New American Sinfonietta at its new home, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, a venue praised for its warm acoustics. TH·FM then launched its Fifth Anniversary Season with another sold-out program, “A Season in Sound,” on October 30, featuring concertmaster Brennan Sweet and Souther. Together, the events marked a record-setting fall for the growing East End institution.

“The response from our community this fall has been incredible,” said Artistic Director and Conductor Michael Palmer. “To see audiences filling every seat at our concerts is deeply gratifying — it affirms that world-class music belongs right here in the Hamptons year-round.”

Founded as a single weekend of orchestral performances, TH·FM has evolved into a two-week festival each September, supported by chamber programs, vocal recitals, salon orchestra concerts, and a slate of education and community outreach initiatives.

Tickets are $50. For reservations, visit thehamptonsfestivalofmusic.com/holidayconcert.