The Middle Tennessee Sinfonietta will present selections of The Nutcracker at the Washington Theatre at Patterson Park on Dec. 17 and 18.

Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s 1892 ballet score has become one of the most beloved holiday pieces of music. The ballet is by far the most profitable production for ballet companies in the U.S., and musical selections from the piece—including “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” “Waltz of the Flowers,” “Overture,” “Dance of the Reed Pipes,” “March of the Toy Soldiers” and more—are among the most well-known themes in orchestral music of the Classical and Romantic eras.

Comprised of area collegiate, graduate and professional musicians, the Middle Tennessee Sinfonietta is a small, volunteer orchestra dedicated to bringing artistic experiences to the Middle Tennessee community.

Jeffrey Keever, who holds a master’s degree of music in orchestral conducting from Middle Tennessee State University, founded the Sinfonietta in January 2021.

Jeffrey Keever

Sinfonietta is an Italian term that describes a symphony orchestra that is of smaller scale.

Keever says that he believes the 2021 production marks the first staged performances of The Nutcracker with live orchestral music and dancers on the Washington Theatre stage.

Performances of The Nutcracker will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 17, and Saturday, Dec. 18. Patterson Park Community Center is located at 521 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Murfreesboro.

For more information, visit mtsinfonietta.com.