On Saturday evening, December 10, at 5pm, the Chippewa Valley Symphony, the Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra, and the Chippewa Valley Youth Symphony flash mobbed the Oakwood Mall’s food court with a giant multi-band rendition of Sleigh Ride. Bewildered smiles and applause arose from holiday shoppers as over 60 local musicians emerged from within the crowd (and a nearby vacant retail space), holding all manner of instruments from strings to woodwinds to precision. Many musicians didn’t reveal themselves until their part in the song came up, but the first wave of music was led by conductor Nobuyoshi Yasuda in a Santa hat and blazing red blazer.

On the phone today, Chippewa Valley Symphony Executive Director Mark Blaskey told us he had a great time watching jaws drop as the instruments emerged – he stood next to a Jazz Orchestra member who pulled a trombone from a baby stroller. Blaskey said they’ve been holding on to the flash mob idea for a while, but finally decided to go ahead head with it on Saturday. A team of UWEC design students has been helping out with promotions, and they pushed for the flash mob stunt.

Blaskey also pointed out that until 4:30pm on Saturday, just a half hour before the music started, the three sizable music groups had never played in the same room together.

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