In Memoriam

Chap Ostrander

1950-2021

For as long as I can remember, percussionists Chap and Adrienne Ostrander have marched into this producer’s hectic, frantic, and “faster than a speeding bullet” sleigh ride called, the Pipes of Christmas. 

A consummate professional, Chap performed at our very first concert in 1999 and has remained with us for the last 21 years.

In my professional life I spent an entire career on studying team dynamics in a corporate setting. And let me tell you – every team could learn a lot from our Christmas cast – and specifically from Chap.

You see, we reunite for three days every year and each time we come together, it’s like it was only the day before, not the year before, that we were last together.

 Every year, aside from the beautiful music, packed audiences, and legendary cast parties, one of the concert moments I will miss beyond words, is the back-breaking bear hug I received from Chap, his face full of tears and hearing him proclaim:

“NOW IT’S CHRISTMAS!”

“NOW, it’s Christmas.”

Such a priceless gift. A gift of love, a gift of friendship……and a gift of making it OK for grown men to cry.

These are among the most cherished moments of my life. Thank you, friend.

Clarence Oddbody, Angel Third Class, teaches us in “It’s a Wonderful Life” that no man is a failure who has friends.

Chap, dear people, was one of the wealthiest men in the world.

Christmas audience, I thank the Lord for the Ostrander family.

So long Chap.

See you on the other side!

Warren Westura

1951-2021

Anyone who has attended one of our concerts over the last 20+ years is familiar with Warren Westura. He was the man with three cameras over his shoulder. The perfect photographer, always in just the right spot to capture an intimate conversation between old friends or find just the right concert moment to preserve for posterity.

Indeed, part of the concert’s great success over the years has been the comfort of knowing we had an outstanding library of performance photos to use in promotion.

We’ve put together this collection of some of our favorite photos through the years.

Rest in peace dear friend.