BUTLER TWP — The Butler County Symphony Orchestra sent the community a glistening greeting card for the holidays on Saturday night at the Butler Intermediate High School auditorium, enchanting listeners with The Magic of Christmas.

Maestro Walter Morales substituted for Matthew Kraemer on the podium. The orchestra kicked off the evening with Carmen Dragon’s rousing arrangement of “Deck the Halls” accompanying the charming voices of the Butler High School Chorus and the Seneca Valley Madrigal Singers.

Up next was a medley titled “The Many Moods of Christmas” by the inestimable Robert Shaw. The work featured such familiar favorites as “Good Christian Men Rejoice,” “Silent Night,” “Patapan” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” The choruses performed admirably as prepared by directors Bryan Helsel and Aaron Magill, respectively.

“March of the Toys” from Victor Herbert’s “Babes in Toyland” is a perennial favorite and was written during his tenure as director of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. The crisp, playful tune was beautifully performed.

Giving everyone twice the reason to celebrate, Hanukkah coincides with Christmas this year. That was acknowledged by Hanukkah Festival Overture, the musical creation of another Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra conductor, Lucas Richman. Traditional songs formed the medley which alternated between classical and klezmer, including variants on “Hanukkah, S’vivon,” “The Dreidel Song” and concluding with “Mi Yimalel.” At times peppy and others pensive, the orchestra handled the mood changes with aplomb.

“The Nutcracker Suite” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is closely linked with Christmas observances. “The Marche,” “Mirlitons (The Reed Flutes),” “The Waltz of the Sugar Plum Fairy” (with its distinctive use of the celesta) and the “Trepak” (styled after a Russian folk dance) were performed with finesse.

Opening the second half of the concert were two works by Robert Wendel. The first was a fantasy arrangement of Mykola Leontovych’s “Carol of the Bells” that exuberantly expanded on the well-known melody. It was followed by “Christmas a la Valse,” in which Wendel blended many beloved Christmas tunes in ¾ time. Conductor Morales almost danced on the podium as he conducted.

Popular media influenced the next two choices: “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “The Polar Express Suite.” The melodies were delightful and elicited great audience response as they recalled the videos for which the music was written.

The combined chorus returned to the stage to sing the tender “Candlelight Carol” by popular British composer John Rutter. The sweet lyrics were concise and clear as the orchestra played quietly to enhance the gentle song.

Glen Ballard’s “God Bless Us Everyone” is less familiar and was a lovely addition to the Christmas repertoire. Sadly, the vocal was occasionally overshadowed by the orchestra.

Concluding the official program was the traditional audience sing-along which allowed the packed-house to enter into the spirit of the season with enthusiasm. And then there was a “clap-along” as the orchestra galloped into Leroy Anderson’s rendition of “Sleigh Ride” sending the audience out the door full of holiday spirit.