President Mary Sue Coleman leads the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra in a rousing rendition of Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride," which was written for the Pops in 1948. Coleman was a special guest conductor when the orchestra took the stage at Crisler Arena Dec. 5. Under the direction of conductor Keith Lockhart, the Pops delighted the audience with traditional and contemporary holiday favorites. WDIV Channel 4 anchorwoman Carmen Harlan was guest narrator for "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." As is tradition for the orchestra, the concert ended with a sing-along, featuring holiday classics like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!," "The Christmas Song," "Winter Wonderland" and "Jingle Bells." The world-famous orchestra made its debut in 1885. Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) founder Henry Lee Higginson wanted a summer concert program that could provide "light music of the best class." On July 11 of that year a Promenade Concert was held at Boston Music Hall. In 1900 BSO management changed the name of the concerts to the "Pops." (Photo by Marcia Ledford, U-M Photo Services)

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