In recent years, area residents have had added incentive to stay in town over Thanksgiving.  Othewise, they might miss the annual "Home for the Holidays" program offered by the Kalamazo Symphony Orchestra and its musical collaborators.

The symphony presented its holiday program at festively decorated Chenery Auditorium Saturday afternoon and evening.

Two shows were scheduled this year to accomodate patrons who, in the past, could not obtain seats.  The audience attending the afternoon show - the one I attended - though not overflowing, did feature dozens of youngsters from babies to young adolescents, all clearly enjoying themselves.

More important than glittery Christmas swags, garlands, and wreaths, though, was the superb music offered by the symphony, led by its artistic director, Raymond Harvey. The playing was not just light accompaniment for a casual program of reveling but highly articulate and professional.

And where does the maestro each year find the fresh, sparkling arrangements for even the best-known Christmas music?  The musical scoring again was marvelous.  Maestro Harvey had the orchestra in impressive form.  Attacks and releases were clean and precise in sections from Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker" ballet score.

Melodies sang with warmth and char.  Lively music for Hanukkah underscored the ecumenical quality of the program.  Director Fred Sang had the Kalamazoo Children's Chorus well prepared, too.  Numbering more than 40, the group sang three lovely selections flawlessly - and without scores.

The chorus's rendition of the ever-popular "O Tannenbaum" excelled despite tricky entrances, while the abruptly changing tempos in "Angels We Have Heard on High" were handled with ease. This ensemble has become an important local musical resource.

In the second portion of the program, Maestro Tom Kasdorf conducted his marvelous Kalamazoo Singers, here expanded to more than 100 vocalists.  Holst's demanding "Christmas Day" displayed adept singing from all sections.  Strands of "Good Christians All Rejoice" and "God Rest Ye" were braided in complex fashion, melding at the close.

Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Jass and the Singers, with only harp accompaniment from Evelyn Iversen providing instrumental support, offered a fine "Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head."  Jass sang with crystalline articulation and a pleasing timbre well suited to the song.

Maestro Kasdorf conducted here and in "Do You Hear What I Hear?" with the symphony joining in.  "Christmas is Coming," sung a cappella, closed the Singers' splendid part of the show.

Leroy Anderson's familiar "Sleigh Ride" included Santa Claus noisly parading in the aisles with candy canes for the youngsters.  A medley of carols, with audience singing, capped the highly entertaining show for another year.