Getting into the Spirit: A Holiday Music Concert

Begin your holiday festivities at the Colonial Theatre with an enchanting afternoon of holiday music. The centerpiece to the performance is the Theatre Organ Society of the Delaware Valley’s Wurlitzer Opus 585 organ. Join us for a wide collection of holiday favorites.

Holiday Concert Producer

The producer of the December 5 TOSDV Holiday Music Concert is Gary Coller. He has developed and produced numerous talent shows for his local high school in West Lawn. As a Susquehanna Valley Theatre Organ Society officer, he designed over five years of musical programs for the chapter meetings along with several public concerts at the Capitol Theatre in York PA.  He chose the following three performers for their extensive entertainment experience and commitment to satisfying their audiences.

Holiday Concert Performers

Glenn Hough from Lancaster County has served several churches as organist and pianist. While the Marietta Theatre was in operation, he provided much of the music on its pipe organ including silent film accompaniment. Glenn’s “one-man band” act has been presented in the most diverse regional venues. Several years ago he accompanied a Palm Sunday screening of DeMille’s “King of Kings” for TOSDV on the Wurlitzer at the Colonial Theatre. He is the Dickinson TOS contact for access to play the Kimball organ.

Phyllis Sands is a retired school district music teacher. She used a Baldwin theatre organ, obtained by Mr. Coller, in her classroom for about fifteen years. Having served in several Reading area congregations, Phyllis currently serves an Adamstown church.  Her many years of piano entertainment in regional clubs and outdoor music settings include the Hamburg-er festival and a SVTOS chapter concert on their Wurlitzer.  Her C and W holiday vocal will help set the afternoon’s pace.

Maria Damore is a sought-after vocalist in the Berks County area by pianists for popular music presentation. She sings for theatrical groups and events such as the one you will want to attend on Dec 5.  She comes recommended by numerous Berks County musicians. Her website version of “Sleigh Ride” convinced me to invite her aboard the musical team as vocalist and audience participation leader of the sing-a-longs. The various combinations of piano, Wurlitzer organ and vocalist will make for a vibrant seasonal musical tour. We’ll range from “O Holy Night” sacred to “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” ridiculous. Tune-up your vocal chords for lots of your familiar favorites.

The Holiday Program

Segment 1: Two instrumentalists on organ and digital piano presenting “Smooth Christmas.”   Features the holiday music of Andy Williams, Petty Como, Dean Martin, Nat “King” Cole, Kate Smith, Bing Crosby and others.  Solo and accompaniment will switch back and forth between instruments. Players will switch instruments several times. Each player will solo once on each instrument. One player has already committed and will provide her digital Yamaha concert piano. I will provide a large keyboard amp. I’m waiting on the other player’s response.

Segment 2:  Selections and religious carols with a couple solos featuring a choir. 25 – 30 minutes.   Switch organists but using choir members to accompany the holiday sing-a-long with song slides- Kids favorites, some secular carols, “It’s Beginning to look like Christmas”  “My Favorite Things”  and ending with “White Christmas.”

This program benefits the Theatre Organ Society of the Delaware Valley (TOSDV) Theatre Organ Restoration Fund. For additional information visit TOSDV.org; email tosdvinfo@verizon.net; or call 215-780-0831.

There is plenty of parking near the theatre, and it’s free on Sundays!

TICKETS

Adults: $12
Children: $7