A Victorian Christmas with John Doan

Sunday, Dec 14th 2008
7:00pm
Hudson Hall
$18 adults, $10 under 18

“A Victorian Christmas With John Doan,” a holiday tradition in its 22nd season, comes to Salem, Sunday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. in Hudson Hall at Willamette University. The festive concert is a live version of Doan’s Emmy-nominated Public Broadcasting television special, which re-enacts what it might have been like to celebrate Christmas a century ago.

“John Doan breathes new life into old carols and evokes the nostalgic, mystical side of Christmas,” said Billboard magazine. “The show explores how Victorians invented many Christmas traditions we remember and quite a few we have forgotten,” said the Willamette music professor. “The 20-string harp guitar, classical banjo and ukelin are just a few of the original instruments that will be featured. The aim is to recapture the feeling of a time before radio and TV when our ancestors provided most of their own musical entertainment at home, especially during the holidays.” Doan plays more than a dozen turn-of-the-century instruments once popular in American parlors, on vaudeville stages and in mandolin orchestras. He explains their history in a entertaining and often zany fashion, shows slides of old catalogues and archival photographs, and leads the audience in singing (or whistling) many of our most beloved carols. John will include several arrangements from his CD, “Wrapped in White: Visions of Christmas Past.” Doan is a touring and recording artist who has appeared on radio and television across the country, including the PBS special, “A Christmas To Remember With John Doan” and the Emmy-nominated Oregon Public Broadcasting special, “A Victorian Christmas With John Doan.” He is currently touring with nationally renowned guitarist Mason Williams. Doan is an associate professor of music at Willamette. Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for children and students under 18, and are available at the Willamette Music Department or by phone at (503) 370-6255. Willamette University students, faculty and staff may acquire free tickets up to one week prior to the event (tickets are limited). DVD’s will be available at the concert. Willamette University is located at 900 State Street in downtown Salem, Oregon. For more information visit www.johndoan.com.

For More Information:
   Sponsored by Music
   Contact Diane Trevett, dtrevett, x6255
   or Visit www.johndoan.coom
Submitted by dtrevett