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SUMMIT, NJ – A holiday favorite, The Pipes of Christmas, returns to Central New Jersey this year by popular demand. The Celtic Christmas concert will be held on Sunday December 16 at Central Presbyterian Church in Summit. Given the demand for tickets last year, two concerts will be performed at 3:00 and 7:30 PM. The matinee is Sold Out. Presented by The Clan Currie Society with generous financial support from The Classic Malts of Scotland, the program will feature Scottish and Irish bagpipers and other guest musicians performing everyone’s favorite holiday selections accompanied by a selection of readings taken from Celtic literature and Scripture. "Like many public events, we carefully weighed the pro's and con's of moving forward with our annual holiday concert in the aftermath of our recent national tragedy, especially considering the number of Summit families that we directly impacted by the events of September 11", said Robert Currie, Honorary Chairman of the event. "After careful consideration and consultation, we have concluded that the concert should go on as scheduled. The Pipes of Christmas affords the community a unique opportunity to come together, set aside time for personal reflection in an otherwise hectic and demanding season, and celebrate through song and verse, this very important time of family, community, and prayer". A highlight of the program will be the debut of a new pipe solo entitled "Lament for the Lost" which remembers all who perished in the September 11 terror attacks. The selection has been composed by Pipe Major Kevin Blandford exclusively for this concert. Featured performers include the return of recording artists Pipe Major Kevin R. Blandford of Redlands, California on the Highland Bagpipes and Scottish Smallpipes, Irish uilleann piper Brian Holleran of Colonia, NJ Celtic fiddler Paul Woodiel of Maplewood, NJ and the Solid Brass ensemble from Chatham, NJ. Pipe Major Blandford brings to his music a special blend of Scottish pipe music and a classical repertoire. A native of Redlands, California, Kevin first began his interest in the Scottish Bagpipe at the age of 13. By age 17, Kevin had risen to the position of Pipe-Major of The Gordon Greys of San Bernardino. In 1981, Kevin began a long association with Organist and fellow musician Jeffrey H. Rickard that led to the collaborative recordings of Amazing Grace - A Selection of Hymns for Bagpipe and Organ and The Pipes of Christmas – A Selection of Carols for Bagpipe and Organ. Since 1988, Kevin has been Pipe-Major of the R. P. Blandford & Son Pipe Band. Under his direction the Band has won numerous competitions. The band has also competed at the World Pipe Band Championship in Glasgow, Scotland. He also serves that Association as an adjudicator, advisor and as the Southern Branch Vice-President.
A noted exponent of traditional fiddle styles, Paul Woodiel is a three-time New England Fiddle Contest champion, and performs here and abroad with the Scottish Dance band Local Hero. Currently performing as concertmaster of the Broadway hit The Music Man; he previously served in the same capacity for the Broadway production of Ragtime. Woodiel was a student of the late Leonard Bernstein, who was most impressed to find a young person who not only played classical music but also had a working knowledge of the traditional music of his own region. One of Paul's first New York engagements was to play violin on Bernstein's studio recording of West Side Story. Founded in 1982, Solid Brass is recognized by audiences and critics alike as one of the premier brass groups in America. The members of the ensemble are some of the New York area's finest musicians who have performed at Lincoln Center with the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera orchestras, NY City Ballet orchestra, and a host of appearances as orchestral and chamber musicians in the metropolitan area. Solid Brass has recorded on the Musical Heritage Society label, Dorian Recordings, Joseph Grado Signature Recordings and Craig Dory Recordings; and has appeared on PBS TV's The State of the Arts. Seating is limited and tickets will only be sold in advance of the concert. No tickets will be sold at the door. To cover the substantial production expenses associated with the concert, all seats are priced at $20. To purchase tickets, send payment, along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to The Clan Currie Society, P.O. Box 541, Summit, NJ 07902-0541. Specify matinee or evening performance. For further information call (908) 273-3509 or e-mail the Society at clancurrie@mail.com.
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