Anna Johnson and Frozen: two great reasons to step out for the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra’s Winter Jubilee concert on Dec. 13 (not to mention the extraordinary 63-member orchestra from all walks of life led by conductor Nobuyoshi Yasuda). Sweet singer, songwriter, and guitarist Johnson, who skyrocketed from Chi-Hi to Nashville, will be home for the holidays. “I’m coming your way for a fancy concert,” she says on her Facebook page. “They’re playing four arrangements of my original songs during the first set (‘Thief,’ ‘Road,’ ‘Falling,’ ‘Let’s Go Searching’), a beautiful orchestration of my song ‘Gloria’ in the Christmas set, and I’ll be wearing lovely gowns and leading the audience in a Christmas sing-a-long medley at one point.” Johnson’s backstory is amazing: Right out of high school in 2008, she won a scholarship to study songwriting at St. Paul’s McNally Smith College of Music after entering a contest sponsored by legendary rock group Queen. She moved to Nashville in 2009 and made it big but didn’t get a big head. Her sister Julia, an accomplished violinist and vocalist, went with her. Anna formed The Anna Johnson Band, married fellow songwriter and guitarist David Mitchell, released four albums, and had a baby. Molly Malone, one of Johnson’s former Chi-Hi teachers and a CVSO violist, is thrilled. “I cannot wait to have Anna perform with an orchestra I am so passionate about,” she said. “This will truly be a special concert.” In addition to Johnson’s repertoire and other holiday favorites, the orchestra will play highlights – such as “Let It Go” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” – from Disney’s hit film   Frozen. While this is Johnson’s first gig with the CVSO, hopefully it will not be the last, and like Lorie Line’s annual holiday concert, it will become a Chippewa Valley tradition.

Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra Winter Jubilee with Anna Johnson • Saturday, Dec. 13, 7:30pm • State Theatre, 316 Eau Claire St. • $7-$28; see contact info for details • (715) 832-6366 • cvsymphony.org