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Tickets Now On Sale For “Pipes Of Christmas” New “Friends of the Pipes of Christmas” Group is Formed
The Pipes of Christmas, the Clan Currie Society’s popular Scottish holiday concert returns for two performances on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005 at 2:00 and 7:30 PM at Central Presbyterian Church in Summit, NJ. The program will feature the music of Christmas accompanied by a selection of readings taken from the Celtic literature of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, and Scripture. Featured performers include Metropolitan Opera star Mark Delavan, the Scottish Country Dance trio Local Hero, Solid Brass, and the Kevin Ray Blandford Memorial Pipe Band of Redlands, CA. New for 2005 – “Friends of the Pipes of Christmas” The Clan Currie Society has announced the formation of a new “Friends” organization to build in a social component to the annual production and to help offset production costs. According to Society president Robert Currie, “Since last December, we’ve been contacted by numerous members of the community who have asked what they could do to help keep the Pipes returning to Summit each Christmas. After a bit more brainstorming, the “Friends” organization was created.” Like similar programs, the “Friends” organization will have several levels of membership, with appropriately Scottish designations, such as Braveheart and Highland Chief. In recognition of their support, “Friends” will receive advance notice of ticket sales, a listing in the concert program, and invitations to the Saturday evening post-concert reception. All Braveheart and Highland Chief level sponsors will also be invited to attend a cocktail reception in the Fall of 2005 to welcome in the holiday season with an appropriately Scottish-theme.
“Friends” will also be asked to help identify and secure corporate sponsors and program book advertisers. Additional program benefits will be made available as the organization grows. About “The Pipes of Christmas” Since making its debut in 1999, The Pipes of Christmas has played to standing room only audiences. Given the popularity of the program, a second concert was added in 2001 to accommodate the high-demand for tickets. That same year, Clan Currie began an award-winning partnership with TV-36, Communities On Cable, by broadcasting concert highlights on Christmas Eve to an estimated 40,000 cable subscribers. Three of the Society’s productions were recipients of the prestigious Telly Award for television production excellence. In 2003, the concert was broadcast live on TV-36 as a fundraiser for the community access station. Now a holiday institution, the concert has provided audiences with a stirring and reverent celebration of the Christmas season and the Celtic spirit. Audience-goers return year after year to experience the program, many reporting that the Pipes of Christmas has become part of their family’s annual Christmas tradition. For that reason, the concert is kept fresh each year with new selections and performances. Over the last six years, the concert has received critical acclaim. In his review for Classical New Jersey Magazine, Paul Somers wrote, “The whole evening was constructed to introduce gem after gem and still have a finale which raised the roof. In short, it was like a well constructed fireworks show on the Glorious Fourth. The Westfield (NJ) Leader described the concert as “a unique sound of power and glory nowhere else to be found.” Willa Conrad, Classical Music Editor for The Star Ledger described the concert as a “majestic seasonal experience.” Order Tickets Now Tickets for the concert are $30 each. Seating is limited and tickets will only be sold in advance of the concert. No tickets will be sold at the door. Clan Currie has also announced the date for their fifth annual Burns Supper. The dinner dance, commemorating the life and contributions of Scotland’s immortal bard, will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2006 at the Grand Summit Hotel. For further information on these events, contact the Society at (908) 273-3509 or via e-mail at clancurrie@mail.com. Photos by Warren Westura
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