Celebrate the Holidays with a Mannheim Steamroller Concert
When people in Ohio think about the holidays, many different concepts come to mind: wondrous majesty, helping others in need, and spreading good cheer. But another recurring theme is the joy of coming home to spend time with family and friends.
That's undoubtedly on the mind of Chip Davis, the founder of Christmastime favorite Mannheim Steamroller, as he and his bandmates prepare to arrive in Toledo during the final week of November.
That's because the Toledo area is home for Davis, who moved to Sylvania when he was 11 years old (from his birthplace of Hamler, which is about 35 miles southwest of Toledo). Davis graduated from Sylvania High School before going on to found Mannheim Steamroller in 1974.
Today, not only does he continue to helm the popular musical group, but he also oversees the Mannheim-lifestyled family of merchandise and products, while continuing to serve as president and CEO of American Gramophone, the record label he founded.
And Davis is engaged in other pursuits as well, like building a type of psychoacoustic technology that can be utilized in medical institutions (such as the Mayo Clinic) for what is known as ambient therapy, which is designed to facilitate the patient healing process. This cutting-edge tool is also attracting interest from NASA for possible use for space applications.
But perhaps the most notable achievement for which Davis is known is the decision to produce a Christmas-themed musical album in 1984 entitled Mannheim Steamroller Christmas. The collection showcased the group's renaissance instruments with driving percussion beats as set to unique arrangements of popular Christmas songs. The album became an immediate hit, and today, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas has sold tens of millions of copies - helping Mannheim Steamroller become the best-selling Christmas artist in history.
If you've never experienced a Mannheim Steamroller Christmas concert, you're missing out on a one-of-a-kind holiday treat. The group's skilled musicians combine jazzy synthesizer melodies with powerful upbeat percussion and nontraditional instruments. In fact, Davis has referred to Mannheim Steamroller as "1800s rock 'n' roll" largely because of its emphasis on decidedly "non-rock" concert woodwind instruments like flutes and bassoons.
The music is presented along with a dazzling array of multimedia effects from motion lighting to lasers to video - all designed to evoke excitement, grandeur, and the holiday spirit. For many, attending the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas performance is as much of a holiday tradition as exchanging gifts, singing Christmas carols, and trimming the tree.
Mannheim Steamroller brings its signature musical sound to Toledo on Wednesday, November 25, at the Stranahan Theater. The show begins at 8pm, and ticket prices are as low as $27 for balcony seating. There are also better seats available for $57 and $67 apiece. You can purchase tickets through the Stranahan Theater website or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
Why wait until the Christmas season to get into the holiday spirit? Kick off your Christmas celebration on the day before Thanksgiving by bringing your family to the special performance of Mannheim Steamroller at the Stranahan Theater on November 25 - and welcome Chip Davis home to the Toledo area!
Image credit: exquisitur
Chris Martin is a freelance writer who profiles noteworthy individuals and their accomplishments - from Chip Davis and his music and medical therapies to Ray Debbane and his innovative financial expertise.
Press Release Contact Name: Chris Martin
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Organization Name: Ray Debbane