The Pittsburgh Symphony Pops has tried a variety of themes in its annual holiday programs over the years. But the orchestra returned to what it does best on Wednesday night in Heinz Hall -- making music.

Nobody does it better in this city, even when the program has a lighter side, and this "Holiday Memories" was one welcome bag of musical tricks and treats.

Many of the faces were familiar, like the Mendelssohn Choir, expertly rehearsed by Betsy Burleigh and in particularly good voice for a "Feast of Carols," and its junior counterpart, Christine Jordanoff's Children's Festival Chorus -- as easy on the eyes with their radiant faces as they were on the ears in songs like "Infant Holy" and "Somewhere in My Memory," although there were as yet a few wrinkles in the connection with conductor Daniel Meyer.

Attack Theatre returned with its inimitable tongue-in-cheek perspective on the season, from a nifty dream-like twist on "The Nutcracker" to an entertaining reindeer number where Vixen was really a vixen. It's really a small miracle that the six dancers fill that tiny strip of stage in front of the orchestra with so much choreographic fanfare.

Speaking of the orchestra, which was in top form, it produced some holiday cool from the Pittsburgh Symphony Brass -- first, a seamless blending of instruments in "Do You Hear What I Hear," then as a racuous bunch of Spike Jones-ian musical misfits (with Santa hats comfortably askew) in "Jingle Bells."

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening came from 14-year-old Cleveland violinist Chad Hoopes, who swept through the third movement of the Bruch violin concerto with accuracy and panache. The Bruch might not have been connected to the holiday season, but the young Steelers fan was the total musical package.

Paced well and relying on a sparkling array of seasonal music, this concert gave off a warm and fuzzy glow without being cloying. And with a jovial Santa Claus making his appearance to gather some Christmas wishes (for the record, Wii was the hands-down favorite), it was more than enough to bring a smile to both the kids and kids-at-heart in the audience.