It was a night full of cheers at the Glesby Centre in Portage la Prairie this past Wednesday night thanks to the Portage and District Arts Centre, as the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra was in town for their Christmas Tour.

"This is an annual tradition for us," says WSO Education and Community Engagement Manager Brent Johnson. "It's always wonderful to return to Portage, where we're always welcomed with a warm embrace from the community. We've got two fantastic guest artists joining us this year. Singer Erin Propp and Guitarist Larry Roy."

Grade 11 PCI Student Elliot Kinnear had a chance to fulfill one of his dreams by conducting the WSO.

Elliot Kinnear being introduced to the crowd. 

"I was a little nervous at first but it was a really good time," says Kinnear. "I've been going to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra for the past couple of years and I've always enjoyed it. Before the show, we got together and we learned how to do it a bit, then I went on stage and did it."

Guitarist Larry Roy and singer Erin Propp both feel very fortunate to be a part of the tour. "It's special because (Roy and Propp) are from small towns," says Roy. "They asked us to do this tour with them across Steinbach, Portage, Gladstone, and Brandon, and we were happy to do that. Our hope, and what we're working toward, is a Christmas album with the WSO."

Larry Roy, right, and Erin Propp on stage last night. 

Propp says singing with an orchestra is beautiful and wonderful. "It's a huge blessing (for me). It's like a whole different instrument that I never get to have behind me. It really is like singing with a whole new instrument."

The WSO is in Brandon for the Holiday Spectacular December 18th.

Larry Roy and Erin Propp