A first person history about the Portland Symphony's "The Magic of Christmas", 40th anniversary, in Portland Maine
Thanks to Portland Maine, Rotarian Russ Burleigh for presenting each of us who attended the concert on December 13, 2019, with a news letter copy about how he was involved in bringing “The Magic of Christmas”, to the Merrill Auditorium, in Portland Maine.
This is a first person Rotarian history report!
My first year as the General Manager of the Portland Symphony Orchestra was 1969-1970. My conductor was Paul Vermel, who has retired and lives in Scarborough. Paul and I wokred concerts, some of which included “Nutcracker” and “Amahl and the Night Visitors”, which had two of the three Wise Men who had performed on the NBC-TV show and which we did a second show at the Brunswick Naval Air facility.
When Paul left for the position at the University of Illinois in Urbana, our new conductor was Bruce Hangen. Bruce’s wife was a pianist and she helped develop a chorus for the 1976, and 1977 Christmas programs. Around that time, the Boston Pops used to refer to their holiday program as “Christmas Pops” and Bruce decided to borrow that title. For 1978m we did “Nutcracker” with three performances by the Hartford Ballet (there was no ballet company in Portland until 1981 or so!). In 1979, we did three performances of the “Messiah”.
In the spring and summer of 1980, we developed the 80-81 season, and our program committee decided that it was time to bring back “Christmas Pops”. We settled dates with City Hall Auditorium (Merrill Auditorium wasn’t renovated until the 1990s) and looked forward to a wonderful holidya season.
In October, we got word that the Boston Pops was going to play a “Christmas Pops” concert in December, at the Cumberland County Civic Center. They wanted to tour New England to introduce their new conductor John Williams (Arthur Fielder had died a year or so earlier). We were alarmed about going up against the Boston Pops. Our auditorium dates were a week later, but we thought we would take a chance and book two concerts.
Then, another orchestra popped up. A group was putting together something called the “New England Pops” and the conductor was to be Erich Kunzel, someone who used to conduct th eBoston Pops. We were surrounded!
The Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO) Marketing Committee formed a meeting of about eight people. The meeting started at 9:00 AM. I got read to come to the meeting, but I had my shower and started thinking about what might happen!
When the meeting started, there were all kinds of ideas - some thinking we should bring back the Messiah, or Nutcracker or even Amahl. But, having any of these plans would take on some large changes in personnel, orchestra, singers, etc., and we only had eight weeks to change everyting! And, then, I started spelling out what come to me in my shower.
I said, “We need a new name. We can call it ‘The Magic of Christmas’. We can have our Municipal Organist Doug Rafter, play a half hour solo concert prior to the opening. the other orchestra won’t have an organist. Sme thing about our 100 voice chorus - they won’t have one of those, either. We should have a well-known star to read a Christmas poem while members of the Boy Singers of Maine sat in front of that star and listened. We can put up some beautiful decorations that we’ve hung over the state in previous years. As for the “star”, I had an idea. I heard that the owner of the Whistling Oyster in Oqunquit had a children’s story time with a friend of his - it was Margaret Hamilton, the “Wicked Witch”, who was in the Wizard of Oz. She had other friends in Maine so I called her after my meeting and she ws delighted to come.
“Maggie” was the perfect guest star for our first “Magic”. She was delightful and a post card she later wrote was warm and thankful. We put on three concerts, all sold out. In 1981, we hired David Ogden Stiers of TV’s “MASH”. I wanted to do four concerts but the PSO president hesitated, then had me ask the four vice-residents, all of whom said “yes”. We sold out all four shows. Later stars were Edward Herrmann of the TV’s History Channel and movies, Bob Elliott of Bob and Ray fame, baritone Ron Raines (whose wife became the Stage Director of Port Opera), and a couple of singers who brought their Santa-clthed schnauzer on stage each time they sang. By this time, 1986, had us performing six shows.
But, as lucky as I got in starting ideas for “The Magie”, I was also very lucky to have worked with excellent conductors, orchestra members, administrative saff and board members. Everone worked hard and looked forward to doing what was necesary to make the shows!
Post Script to this history - Russ Burleigh was at the piano when yours truly (Maine Writer- Rotarian Julie) auditioned to sing in The Magic of Christmas chorus! During the two seasons I performed with the orchestra, were some of the most enjoyable Holidays I have ever enjoyed, because all of my family came to several of the performances. Thank you Russ! Merry Christmas to all who have supported The Magic of Christmas!
When Paul left for the position at the University of Illinois in Urbana, our new conductor was Bruce Hangen. Bruce’s wife was a pianist and she helped develop a chorus for the 1976, and 1977 Christmas programs. Around that time, the Boston Pops used to refer to their holiday program as “Christmas Pops” and Bruce decided to borrow that title. For 1978m we did “Nutcracker” with three performances by the Hartford Ballet (there was no ballet company in Portland until 1981 or so!). In 1979, we did three performances of the “Messiah”.
In the spring and summer of 1980, we developed the 80-81 season, and our program committee decided that it was time to bring back “Christmas Pops”. We settled dates with City Hall Auditorium (Merrill Auditorium wasn’t renovated until the 1990s) and looked forward to a wonderful holidya season.
In October, we got word that the Boston Pops was going to play a “Christmas Pops” concert in December, at the Cumberland County Civic Center. They wanted to tour New England to introduce their new conductor John Williams (Arthur Fielder had died a year or so earlier). We were alarmed about going up against the Boston Pops. Our auditorium dates were a week later, but we thought we would take a chance and book two concerts.
Then, another orchestra popped up. A group was putting together something called the “New England Pops” and the conductor was to be Erich Kunzel, someone who used to conduct th eBoston Pops. We were surrounded!
The Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO) Marketing Committee formed a meeting of about eight people. The meeting started at 9:00 AM. I got read to come to the meeting, but I had my shower and started thinking about what might happen!
When the meeting started, there were all kinds of ideas - some thinking we should bring back the Messiah, or Nutcracker or even Amahl. But, having any of these plans would take on some large changes in personnel, orchestra, singers, etc., and we only had eight weeks to change everyting! And, then, I started spelling out what come to me in my shower.
I said, “We need a new name. We can call it ‘The Magic of Christmas’. We can have our Municipal Organist Doug Rafter, play a half hour solo concert prior to the opening. the other orchestra won’t have an organist. Sme thing about our 100 voice chorus - they won’t have one of those, either. We should have a well-known star to read a Christmas poem while members of the Boy Singers of Maine sat in front of that star and listened. We can put up some beautiful decorations that we’ve hung over the state in previous years. As for the “star”, I had an idea. I heard that the owner of the Whistling Oyster in Oqunquit had a children’s story time with a friend of his - it was Margaret Hamilton, the “Wicked Witch”, who was in the Wizard of Oz. She had other friends in Maine so I called her after my meeting and she ws delighted to come.
“Maggie” was the perfect guest star for our first “Magic”. She was delightful and a post card she later wrote was warm and thankful. We put on three concerts, all sold out. In 1981, we hired David Ogden Stiers of TV’s “MASH”. I wanted to do four concerts but the PSO president hesitated, then had me ask the four vice-residents, all of whom said “yes”. We sold out all four shows. Later stars were Edward Herrmann of the TV’s History Channel and movies, Bob Elliott of Bob and Ray fame, baritone Ron Raines (whose wife became the Stage Director of Port Opera), and a couple of singers who brought their Santa-clthed schnauzer on stage each time they sang. By this time, 1986, had us performing six shows.
But, as lucky as I got in starting ideas for “The Magie”, I was also very lucky to have worked with excellent conductors, orchestra members, administrative saff and board members. Everone worked hard and looked forward to doing what was necesary to make the shows!
Post Script to this history - Russ Burleigh was at the piano when yours truly (Maine Writer- Rotarian Julie) auditioned to sing in The Magic of Christmas chorus! During the two seasons I performed with the orchestra, were some of the most enjoyable Holidays I have ever enjoyed, because all of my family came to several of the performances. Thank you Russ! Merry Christmas to all who have supported The Magic of Christmas!
Labels: Portland Symphony Orchestra
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