When Lauren Condon thinks about winter, she sees visions of sugarplum fairies dancing through a gumdrop forest. And she can’t possibly forget the gingerbread soldiers fighting in the name of the Mouse King.

Condon, a senior English and textual studies major, is referring to the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra’s annual performance of Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nutcracker’ ballet, a staple during the holiday season.

‘I used to go all the time,’ said Condon, who grew up in Central New York. ‘I thought it was great — a little long, but beautiful.’

This year’s ‘The Nutcracker’ will run from Dec. 3 to Dec. 5 at Mulroy Civic Center at the Oncenter Complex on South State Street.

Condon reveres the SSO’s rendition of the timeless ballet, which includes scenes other versions sometimes omit. This is in comparison to the performance she saw in London last year.

The SSO’s holiday programming also includes the group’s annual ‘Holiday Pops’ show, which began Nov. 29 at Auburn High School. Three of the group’s nine ‘Holiday Pops’ performances are scheduled at Mulroy Civic Center on Dec. 17 and Dec. 18. Eight other performances are located at other Central New York locations, including Cortland High School, Dulles State Office Building, Herkimer High School, Oswego High School, the Reg Lenna Civic Center and Rome Free Academy.

Ron Spigelman will conduct the ‘Holiday Pops’ concert. His selections include classic holiday favorites as well as an audience sing-along.

Syracuse University professors are also involved with the holiday productions. SSO Music Director Daniel Hege is a professor at SU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. VPA’s director of orchestral activities and chair of the string department, James Tapia, is an active guest conductor and lecturer at the SSO.

Sophomore mathematics major Shereen Mohammed said she would be interested in attending a holiday performance by the SSO, but she was unaware of the performances.

‘They should put more signs up in Schine,’ Mohammed said.

Condon agrees the SSO should use Facebook or Twitter to advertise to SU students. She added that discounted tickets are available at the Oncenter box office the night of SSO performances.

‘Tickets are like $5,’ Condon said. ‘You don’t get to pick your seat, but still — you don’t have to see the orchestra.’

Adult tickets for ‘The Nutcracker’ are $39, and children’s tickets cost $10. ‘Holiday Pops’ tickets for the Mulroy Civic Center performances range from $25-$40, according to the group’s website.

Mohammed recommended that modestly priced student tickets be available at the Schine Box Office to encourage student attendance and suggested the possibility of an on-campus SSO performance during the holidays.

‘I hardly know of anyone who knows it (the SSO) even exists,’ Condon said. ‘It’s a really good opportunity.’

Erica White, a junior history major and Syracuse native, agrees with Condon.

‘It’s nice that you can see quality, professional performances in Syracuse,’ she said. ‘It’s nice that you don’t have to travels hours away.’

The SSO’s holiday performances are guaranteed to capture the magic of the holiday and the charm of Central New York winters. Located only five minutes from campus, locals like Condon and White rave about the convenience of having such a talented orchestra close by.

White looks forward to bringing one of her friends or sorority sisters to ‘The Nutcracker’ to relive her childhood memories of this joyous time of year.

‘It could probably be really bad, and I would still be happy,’ White said. ‘It’s just tradition.’

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Published on December 1, 2010 at 12:00 pm