David Archuleta to appear in San Bernardino, Calif. on Saturday

photo: Rachel Deeb

David Archuleta, best known as a second-place finalist on “American Idol” and for the top 10 single “Crush” in 2008, is currently on a Christmas tour. It includes a special headline show with the San Bernardino Symphony on Dec. 1.

During past orchestral shows, the Tennessee-based vocalist found “the experience of sharing the stage with so many other talented musicians was powerful.”

The rare Inland Empire appearance is slated to feature songs off both his Christmas albums. Archuleta is particularly excited to do selections from the new collection “Winter in the Air” because they were geared toward “a classic 1940s and ‘50s feel with string arrangements…I really love singing (the luxurious title track) live and bringing people into a winter wonderland,” he said.

Archuleta went for “an old school style” in the vein of Nat King Cole and “timeless feel” on the new album. He co-penned vibrant opener “Christmas Everyday” alongside Grammy-nominated songwriter Dave Barnes (Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett).

“I wanted to make the songs feel familiar, not just by the melody and lyric, but through the arrangements. “I had a lot of fun with it and the strings have that happy ‘classic Christmas’ feel to them.”

San Bernardino Symphony:
The program’s first half, with guest conductor Dean Anderson, will include music by Tchaikovsky, Vaughn Williams, Rimsky-Korsakov, Anderson and a Nilo Alcala world premiere. Archuleta performs during the second half.
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1
Where: California Theatre of Performing Arts, 562 W. 4^th St., San Bernardino
Tickets: $30-$65; $15 active military and students
Information: 909-381-5388, sanbernardinosymphony.org

Archuleta's remaining (non-orchestral) holiday concert schedule runs through mid-December. For more info, go to davidarchuleta.com