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Pipes of Christmas week is always a logistical challenge for founder and executive producer Robert Currie. The show – featuring Christmas music with traditional Celtic instrumentation and readings – always has dozens of participants and multiple venues. But this year it’s going to be more challenging than ever, with a show at Boston’s Old South Church on December 12th at 7:30 p.m., in addition to the usual shows at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in Manhattan (December 14th at 2 p.m. 00 p.m.). ) and Central Presbyterian Church in Currie’s hometown of Summit (December 15 at 2 and 7 p.m.).

“We’ve been playing ‘The Pipes of Christmas’ for 25 years,” says Currie. “So we are very happy with our production and our audience’s response to it. I think it’s great that we’re starting the second quarter century with a new show in a new city. There are logistical challenges: that’s to be expected. But when you have such a strong product and a company with such talented artists, it’s a wonderful challenge.”

For tickets and show information — the 2 p.m. Summit show is sold out, but there are still spots available for the others — visit pipesofchristmas.com. Proceeds from all Pipes of Christmas events support the cultural outreach programs, scholarships and preservation initiatives of the Clan Society, Learned Kindred of Currie, headed by Robert Currie.

This year’s performers include Steve Gibb, a veteran of the Pipes of Christmas, who plays guitar and serves as music director; James Robinson (the actor whose roles include “Braveheart,” “Outlander,” and “Saving Christmas Spirit”), who will do some of the readings; Susan Porterfield Currie, who handles the shows’ narration; violinist Caitlin Warbelow; and harpist Rachel Clemente.

Also featured are the Solid Brass Ensemble, led by Doug Haislip, and two groups that will make their “Pipes of Christmas” debut: The Commonwealth Pipes & Drums (in Boston); and the St. Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band (in New Jersey and New York).

Singer Madelyn Monaghan, a classically trained soprano, will sing for the first time on “Pipes of Christmas.” “She has the voice of an angel,” says Currie, “and she will sing in Irish and Scottish Gaelic, so we will honor both sides of our clan connections.”

While most of the music will be familiar to long-time Pipes of Christmas attendees, some new tunes are mixed into the shows every year, and 2024 will be no exception.

“With everything we’ve had to do with Boston and the new cast, we kept the commissioning simple this year, but we have a new play that’s having its world premiere,” Currie says. “It was written in honor of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, on the occasion of its 900th anniversary. So one of my piper friends who lives in Scotland took on the commission and wrote The March to St. Giles, and we hope and plan to have it performed in Edinburgh next spring. It’s very exciting.”

Additionally, only in Boston will a piece of music be played in honor of Brian O’Donovan, the longtime host of Boston’s Celtic holiday shows, who passed away in October 2023. The fact that there won’t be any of his shows in Boston this holiday season actually led to the addition of a “Pipes of Christmas” show.

“Some of our company members have encouraged me to think about Boston over the past few years because of its very strong Irish and Scottish cultures,” says Currie. “We were very happy with New York and New Jersey and had no reason to move at that point. For 20 years there was an incredibly wonderful concert in Boston called The Celtic Christmas Sojourn, produced by Brian O’Donovan, a sort of Bob Currie from Boston. So there was no need because he ran an incredible program.”

Currie contacted O’Donovan’s associates and his widow, Lindsay O’Donovan, “to see if they would even want something like this.” We didn’t intend to just storm into Boston and say, “We’re here, we’re taking over,” but we wanted to see if the community would welcome us and give us permission to do this: bring our own twist to Boston . And I am forever grateful to Lindsay O’Donovan, who blessed us and provided advertising and public relations resources to make this possible.”

Brady Brim-DeForest, who owns Balvaird Castle in Scotland and is an ardent supporter of initiatives related to Scottish art and history, volunteered as a founding patron of the Boston production. And Lindsay O’Donovan agreed to serve as honorary chair.

“I know Brian would be deeply touched if others picked up the torch and ensure that the living sounds of Celtic heritage continue to fill our hearts and halls,” she said.

Like many nonprofits these days, Pipes of Christmas is coming up with creative ways to raise money, including a GoFundMe campaign that offers perks including a six-track EP with highlights from past Pipes of Christmas shows and a Pipes of Christmas” album. Yule log.”

“Do you remember how WPIX (television) in New York always published a ‘Yule Log’ on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Basically a log fire with lots of great Christmas music,” says Currie. “We went one step further and included a fireplace, wonderful music from our past concerts, but also beautiful HD videos of Scotland and Ireland at Christmas and winter. So you can make yourself comfortable by the fireplace and at the same time take a virtual trip to the places that are close to our hearts.”

A film featuring highlights from this year’s shows is also available via Eventbrite.com. It will be available to stream online from December 20th to 31st

“Our Learned Kindred has 6,000 members around the world,” says Currie. “Even if someone can’t be in New Jersey, New York or Boston, they can still experience the concert from the comfort of their own home, wherever that may be. As a large Scottish clan, these types of touchpoints are very important in keeping our family connected when we are all far apart.

“COVID has taught us so many new ways of thinking about performance – for all artists. This gave birth to the idea of ​​virtual events, which has been of great benefit to everyone in the performing arts world.”