The Elkhart County Symphony Association is honored and thrilled to welcome guest performer Girl Named Tom for a fun and festive holiday performance with the Symphony on Nov. 23 at The Lerner Theatre in Downtown Elkhart.
As a prelude to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this FREE, holiday-themed concert—featuring our biggest guest since we welcomed Ben Folds in 2017—will summon and inspire the true spirit of the holidays.
“A Classical Christmas: Girl Named Tom & The Elkhart County Symphony” represents one of the highlights of our season, and our history, and is a testament to our commitment to dynamic programming and creative musical collaborations.
The concert, presented in partnership with The Lerner 100 Year Anniversary and sponsored by the Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau, features a holiday performance by the Symphony and includes a moving and harmonious collaboration with Girl Named Tom.
The Symphony performs Fantasia on Greensleeves (Vaughan-Williams) and Boston Pops Orchestra arrangements of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Christmas Scherzo. Girl Named Tom performs Edelweiss, Refugee King, Lullay My Liking, and Home for Christmastime (a GNT original). The Symphony and Girl Named Tom collaborate on holiday favorites such as Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, Winter Wonderland, O Come O Come Emmanuel, River, What Child Is This, and Wichita Lineman.
For an extra dose of holiday cheer, the Shout For Joy student choir—from the Goshen College Community School for the Arts—joins the Symphony and Girl Named Tom to perform original Girl Named Tom holiday selections, including One More Christmas, It’s Almost Christmas, and Isn’t That What Christmas is For?
never far from elkhart county
The popular sibling trio, Girl Named Tom—composed of Goshen College graduates Caleb (2018) and Joshua (2019) Liechty, and younger sister, Bekah, an honorary Goshen College alumna—became the first group to win NBC’s TV music competition, The Voice, in December 2021.
Originally from Pettisville, Ohio, the Liechty siblings are the children of Goshen College alumni Chris and Holly Liechty. After stunning the judges of The Voice in 2021 with their initial performance of Helplessly Hoping by Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Girl Named Tom—under the guidance of Kelly Clarkson—saw five of its televised recordings reach the Top 10 on the Apple iTunes charts. Following its successful appearance on The Voice, Girl Named Tom signed a record deal with Republic Records.
The group, which has since parted ways with Republic, recently released the live acoustic EP, “…Wilder Then,” and other notable Girl Named Tom releases include the albums “Hits from the Road” (2021) and “One More Christmas” (2022), as well as singles “Get A Little Lost” (2024) and “Locked in Your Love” (2025).
Season ticket holders are guaranteed seats for this memorable presentation of the Elkhart County Symphony, and—beginning Nov. 1—non-season ticket holders can reserve free tickets to the show through The Lerner Theatre Box Office. Free tickets for “A Classical Christmas” MUST be reserved through the Box Office. For more information, call (574) 293-4469.
Don’t miss out on this unforgettable holiday collaboration celebrating The Lerner’s 100 Year Anniversary! Join the Elkhart County Symphony and the entire Elkhart County community in welcoming Girl Named Tom on Nov. 23 at The Lerner Theatre!
The Highlights Never End!
Following our exciting holiday concert with Girl Named Tom, we turn our attention to February. Our annual concert at Sauder Concert Hall at the Goshen College Music Center features guest soloist Aleck Belcher, associate principal bass for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and offers a challenging and dynamic orchestral repertoire. “Northern Expressions”—Feb. 15 on the campus of Goshen College—features performances of Koussevitzky’s Double Bass Concerto and Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43 (Sibelius), along with additional selections.
“Echoes of Fate, Peskin & Tchaikovsky,” March 29 at The Lerner Theatre, features guest soloist Michail Thompson—assistant principal trumpet with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington D.C.—and presents a side-by-side collaboration between the Elkhart County Symphony and the Concord High School Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, the Symphony performs Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op 36.
The Elkhart County Symphony closes out the 2025-26 season with “Exhale & Celebrate,” featuring guest soloist Caitlin Edwards. Edwards, a classically trained violinist inspired by gospel, jazz, hip-hop, and neo-soul, performs music from her album Exhale, and the Symphony performs Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol.
Remaining 2025-26 Concert Schedule
“A Classical Christmas: Girl Named Tom & The Elkhart County Symphony.” Nov. 23, 2025, at the Lerner Theatre, in partnership with the City of Elkhart & The Lerner 100 Year Anniversary. Guest performer, Girl Named Tom. Repertoire—Holiday show set with Girl Named Tom and additional selections.
“Northern Expressions.” Feb. 15, 2026, at Sauder Concert Hall at the Goshen College Music Center. Guest soloist, Aleck Belcher, associate principal bass for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Repertoire—Koussevitzky, Double Bass Concerto, Op. 3; Sibelius, Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43, additional selections.
“Echoes of Fate, Peskin & Tchaikovsky.” March 29, 2026 at The Lerner Theatre. Featuring guest soloist Michail Thompson, assistant principal trumpet with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C., and a side-by-side performance with the Concord High School Symphony Orchestra. Repertoire—Vladimir Peskin, Trumpet Concerto No. 1 in C Minor; Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36 and collaborative works with the Concord High School Symphony Orchestra.
“Exhale & Celebrate.” May 17, 2026, at The Lerner Theatre. Guest soloist, Caitlin Edwards (violin), a 2023 Sphinx MPower Artist Grant recipient. Repertoire—Edwards, music from her album Exhale; Rimsky-Korsakov, Capriccio Espagnol; additional selections.
A better box office and ticketing experience
The Lerner Theatre is expanding its box office hours to better accommodate guests. The new hours at The Lerner Theatre will be as follows:
Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Show Days: 10:00 a.m. – Start of Show
The Lerner Theatre is also pleased to announce increased transparency in the ticket-buying experience. The Lerner Theatre has made the switch to All-In Pricing, ensuring that ticket buyers, before making a purchase, can see the full price upfront including fees (before taxes).
Join us, and don’t miss one note of our 2025-26 season!
ABOUT THE ELKHART COUNTY SYMPHONY
The Elkhart County Symphony Association employs more than 100 professional musicians in the county. The organization promotes cultural experiences and instills civic pride in our community by encouraging artistic integrity, providing innovative opportunities, and presenting excellent musical programming through concerts, education, and special events.