An Evening of Victorian Music

John Paul Tobin, principal violinist for the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra will begin the program with his portrayal of Ole Bull. (See below for information regarding Ole Bull and his connection to Williamsport)

The Repasz Band will present Repasz Brass and Repasz Winds, our two smaller ensembles created for special occasions, performing a brief history of traditional carols.

Possible list includes: Angels from the Realms of Glory; Angels We Have Heard on High; Away in a Manger; Deck the Halls; God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen; Hark the Herald Angels Sing; Jingle Bells; Good King Wenceslas; It Came upon a Midnight Clear; Jolly Old St. Nick; Joy to the World; O Come All Ye Faithful; Up on the Housetop; O Little Town of Bethlehem; We Three Kings; I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day; Silent Night; We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

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Ole Bull, a popular violinist, ardent Norwegian and friend of America, made a triumphant tour of this country from 1843 to 1845 and had been enthusiastically acclaimed wherever he played.

In 1852 he again came to America, which he had grown to love during his first visit, and it was during this tour that he came to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in the same year that he arrived in this country.¹

He gave a concert in the court house and, as Williamsport was then only a small town with, perhaps, “2.000 people, the whole population turned out to greet him. The auditorium was crowded to the doors and the people went wild with enthusiasm over his performance. He was an attractive figure with his gold snuff box, diamond shirt studs and rings which almost covered his fingers. His violin bow contained a large diamond at one end and as he drew it across the strings, evoking the softest and most melodious strains ever heard, the large jewel flashed ‘and scintillated with prismatic colors and the vast audience rose to its feet in shouts of rapturous applause.¹

¹Ole Bull and His Famous Castle In Potter County, Pennsylvania
By Thomas W. Lloyd