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'Pipes of Christmas' Concert to Pay Tribute to Neil Armstrong

The Pipes of Christmas will celebrate its fourteenth season with performances in New York and New Jersey this December. The holiday favorite, produced by the Clan Currie Society, opens on Saturday, December 15 at the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, located at 921 Madison Avenue (at 73rd Street) with performances at 2 and 7PM. The concert moves across the Hudson River on Sunday, December 16 to Central Presbyterian Church located at 70 Maple Street in Summit, NJ for a 3PM performance.

The concert presents the music of Christmas accompanied by readings taken from the Celtic literature of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. Featured performers include James Robinson from the film “Braveheart,” New England fiddle champion Paul Woodiel, “Riverdance” piper Christopher Layer, Gaelic Mod champion harpist Jennifer Port of Golspie, Scotland, and the Pipe Major Kevin Ray Blandford Memorial Pipe Band from Redlands, CA.

Acclaimed Gaelic tenor Paul McCallum from the island of South Uist in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides will be making his New York debut in the 2012 concerts. Jeff Rickard, Emeritus Professor of Music from the University of Redlands and former “Pipes” organist for the past 12 years makes his debut as music director.

The concert will also feature the world premier of "Sea of Tranquility," specially commissioned to honor the memory of astronaut Neil Armstrong who passed away earlier this year. The piece is written by Scottish composer James Ross of Wick, Scotland. In March of 1972, Armstrong visited the town of Langholm in the Scottish Borders known for its strong Clan Armstrong connections and was made a “freeman” of the town.

The concert will also celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II marking 60 years of The Queen’s reign. A new work entitled, “Balmoral Snow,” composed by Steve Gibb of Inverness, Scotland has been commissioned by the Clan Currie Society. The tribute is thought to be one of the closing celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee year which was celebrated throughout the world.

Honorary Chairmen for the 14th annual gala concerts are The Hon. Danny Lopez, UK Consul-General, New York and Geoff Day, vice president with Mercedes-Benz USA.

Proceeds from the concerts support the Clan Currie Society’s scholarship program which includes annual gifts to the National Piping Centre, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (both located in Glasgow,) Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on the Isle of Skye, the Gaelic College of Nova Scotia and Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas. The Clan Currie Society is also the Title Sponsor of the US National Scottish Harp Championship.

Commenting on the Society’s music scholarship program, stage and screen star Alan Cumming said, “I am delighted that proceeds from the Pipes of Christmas will result in these important gifts which ensure that the future of Scottish culture is safer with these generous scholarships.”

Named one of New York City’s “Top Ten” holiday events, the 2012 concerts are made possible by generous gifts from Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland, Mercedes-Benz USA, the Classic Malts of Scotland and the Grand Summit Hotel.

Tickets Available Now

General admission tickets start at $50 and are available via mail order. A downloadable ticket order form can be found on the concert’s website at http://www.pipesofchristmas.com. Tickets for the NY concert may also be purchased online at http://www.smarttix.com or by phone at (212) 868-4444. Reserved patron seats are available at both venues.

About “The Pipes of Christmas”

Since making its debut in 1999, The Pipes of Christmas has played to standing room only audiences. Now a cherished holiday event, the concert provides 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.

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