Taylor Swift lands Nashville Symphony honor

Taylor Swift will celebrate Christmas early this year (11) after learning she's to be feted by Tennessee's Nashville Symphony at a glitzy ball in December (11).

The country singer will receive the Harmony Award at the annual Symphony Ball, to be held at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on 10 December (11).

The honor recognizes a group or singer who best embodies the "spirit of harmony" of Swift's adopted Nashville, which is nicknamed the Music City.

A statement from Alan Valentine, the Nashville Symphony CEO and president, reads, "We are proud to call our home Music City, and Taylor Swift is the perfect person to receive this award, because she has contributed so tremendously to promoting this amazing community of which we are all a part."

Previous recipients of the Harmony Award include Dolly Parton, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood.