2018 Program
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The Pipes20th Anniversary ofChristmas The Clan Currie Society proudly presents The 20th Annual Production of TheThe PipesPipes ofof Christmas Christmas Sponsored by The Grand Summit Hotel Balvenie Single Malt Whisky Aberlour Single Malt Whisky Celgene Corporation Saturday, December 15, 2018 Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York City Sunday, December 16, 2018 Central Presbyterian Church Summit, NJ There will be one fifteen-minute intermission. Step into Christmas with us. Please turn off all cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices. The taking of photographs and recording equipment is strictly prohibited. The 2018 edition of the Pipes of Christmas is lovingly dedicated to the memory of Deanne Dunning Alfred “Fred” Bisset Marta McErlain Abigail Finch Janelle Currie Victoria Collins Pacaud Campbell Port Rev. Billy Graham The producers gratefully acknowledge the generous support of Central Presbyterian Church Bull N Bear Brewery Mike and Joan Gambro Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church Summit High School Robert and Colleen Kelly HomeTowne Television Karen and Steve Bowman Stephen McErlain Message from the Lord Lyon King of Arms wish to send all in the USA and especially in living Scotland is manifest the New York and New Jersey areas hearty in this Concert. The Igreetings from Scotland. I am delighted to Concert supports this work be able to congratulate the Pipes of Christmas with young, talented Concert on their 20th Anniversary. This concert is people and also supports renowned for its excellent music, its links with the writing of new Scotland and its celebration of the joys of music – to bring the living Christmas. It is truly a Christmas family occasion to Scotland to us today. Well which the audiences come year on year. I have done to all concerned. unfortunately never been in attendance at the Concert but have listened regularly to the CD I hope to be able this year gifted to me by Robert (Bob) Currie of the Clan to watch the Concert on Currie Society. The event is a glimpse into the digital television so will be “Glory of God” – with excellent musicians, very much with you. Please use the special inspiring poetry and a celebration of the apparition anniversary to look back with pride on the work of the coming of the child of Bethlehem. and achievements of the Concert but also forward to the next 20 years of community and service to Bob Currie is an inspiring leader and I enjoyed his others through the joy of music. I congratulate all company in Edinburgh earlier in 2018. He and his those concerned and wish you all every blessing of team at the Clan Currie are to be thanked for the the Christmas season. In a motto I often quote provision of such a celebration which is, in the “Upwards and Onwards.” words of the Society’s motto, “Inspire to Victory.” The Clan and the Concert make the life of Yours sincerely Scotland alive in today’s modern society with the range of scholarships and community outreach Dr Joseph J Morrow, CBE, QC, LLD work that is carried out. This is what it means to Lord Lyon King of Arms belong to the worldwide living Scotland and this Greetings from Brigadier David Allfrey am very proud and hugely privileged to have been invited by the indefatigable Robert ICurrie to be the Honorary Chair for the 20th Anniversary Pipes of Christmas concerts. Robert came by to our headquarters in the Old Town of Edinburgh and we had a famous time catching up on Scottish news from ‘across the pond’. I am only sad that I cannot attend the concerts in person. I will be the other side of the world! You will get all of this at the Pipes of Christmas and I know the music, the atmosphere, the people - and a good deal more besides. the many good causes that benefit from the concerts and so many other activities across the year Each year, I find myself standing on the side-lines - will make it a distinct and memorable time for of the Tattoo marvelling at the emotional power everyone. Please pass generously my best wishes of the Great Highland Bagpipe. This unique to those who have come to listen, to those instrument, played first by Patrick Og performing and those further afield who are friends MacCrimmon (and the other hereditary pipers to but cannot attend. the MacLeods of Dunvegan) in the mid-16th Century, has no volume control (around 85 decibels As many will know, we welcomed the Clans close by!), has only 9 notes, is tuned to 441Hz and Families to the Royal Edinburgh Military Concert B Flat and relies on natural materials, Tattoo a year ago and we were rewarded with so lungpower and nimble fingers and…yet it has the many wonderful stories and a host of fabulous power to make men and women cry! It is a magical family connections, many going back some sound and carries with it, sometimes on the wind, centuries. Each night, across August, the clansmen the history and character of a remarkable and and women gathered in the Great Hall of singular culture. You are in for some treats of this, Edinburgh Castle and then patrolled down through and from Wales and Ireland as well, across the the Castle precincts behind their chiefs, banners three concerts over two days in New York and and pipers to the Esplanade to be greeted to a roar New Jersey! from our audiences. It was an extraordinary start to the Show each evening. The whole exercise took I hope that you enjoy the magic of the music and many months to bring together, in conversation might feel inspired to come across to Scotland to with each Clan and Family but it was so sample a bit of our legendary hospitality and worthwhile when we saw how much pleasure it perhaps come to the Tattoo in August. Or, you brought to so many people and the extraordinary might fancy an adventure and join us in Sydney reach of Scottish culture, heritage and genealogy next October as we play for a few special days to across the years and the miles. huge audiences in Sydney. In both places, you will find friendship and perhaps a few kinsfolk as well. Scottish communities and those of our Celtic cousins, wherever they are, have always called on Warmest best wishes for a wonderful series of their music, their customs and their stories to concerts. bring everyone together. It is always a party on some scale and the noise of pipes and drums is David Allfrey never far from the centre of things - a melody and Producer and Chief Executive a beat for all occasions! And…fine friendships. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo + celebrate the holidays with family, friends and summit house Join us for Christmas Dinner and New Year’s Festivities 395 Springfield Avenue • Summit 908.273.6000 • www.summithousenj.com While the concerts have always included traditional When The Rockefeller Foundation reached the and much loved family favorites, the producers grand old age of 100 in 2013, its trustees were have introduced new artists and new tunes to the convinced that the occasion was one which should, world, producing in the process an impressive “inspire deep reflection.” Indeed its long-serving Welcome to the 20th Annual number of world premiere compositions. president Judith Rodin said, the anniversary was an opportunity not to be wasted. “The pride and unity The Pipes of Christmas But in a world where identities are often blurred it inspires makes it an ideal time to ask people to Pipes of Christmas by conflict and population shift there are less think together about why their work matters and tangible but equally important reasons that people how it should move forward.” DECEMBER 2018 love and draw inspiration from the concerts. For those with a Celtic heritage the Pipes of Christmas concerts are a reminder of their identity – who they are as a person. Essentially this good work challenges the notion that clans and clan societies are an anachronism with no real-world relevance in the 21st century. he annual Pipes of From Muireadhach Christmas concerts Albanach, who crossed from Serendipity The idea of reflection and T produced by the Ireland to Scotland in 1213 The origins of the Pipes of Christmas have their roots inspiration, so important for Clan Currie Society return and began the first of the in one of these delightfully serendipitous moments Judith Rodin, is an apt one for a 20th season in New Currie line. when Robert Currie President of the Society and for the Clan Currie Society Jersey and New York. now Commander of the Name and Arms of Currie and one which weaves In 1411, it was Lachlann Mo`r ‘discovered’ one of Pipe Major Kevin Blandford’s its way through both the For the last two decades the MacMhuirich who inspired enchanting CDs entitled The Pipes of Christmas. It Pipes of Christmas story mission of the Pipes of the soldiers of the Lord of the was this music which provided the inspiration for and the wider Learned Christmas has been to entertain Isles before battle and others the Clan Currie Society’s annual concerts. Kindred of Currie. and inspire, to showcase brilliant musicians, present who followed – their story is our story. inspiring poetry from the British Isles and to celebrate the coming of Christ during Advent. Inspire to Victory MacMhuirich wrote the Harlaw Brosnachadh or After two decades, the Pipes of Christmas annual ‘Incitement to Battle’. This epic poem resulted in nspire deep reflection concert is of course still about all of the above but the Clan Currie Society’s motto there is much more too.