Performances:
• Friday, December 19 | Doors: 7:00 pm, Performance: 7:30 pm
• Saturday, December 20 | Doors: 4:30 pm, Performance: 5:00 pm / Doors: 7: 30 pm, Performance: 8:00 pm
• Sunday, December 21 | Doors: 5:00 pm, Performance: 5:30 pm
Christmas at the Castle returns for its fifth season in the breathtaking splendor of Hammond Castle Museum’s Great Hall! Let the radiant strings and majestic brass of the Firebird Pops surround you with timeless holiday charm and shimmering film-score magic.
Joined by acclaimed soloists Mara Bonde and Sandra Piques Eddy under the baton of Firebird Pops Orchestra’s Music Director Brendan J. Kenney, this program sparkles with beloved seasonal classics, heartwarming music from the movies, and imaginative arrangements that capture both the spirit of the season and the castle’s medieval grandeur. From O Holy Night and A Christmas Festival to Sleigh Ride, you’ll delight in cherished favorites alongside reimaginings that weave together Gregorian chant, familiar and medieval carols, and classical brilliance – creating an atmosphere of festive warmth throughout the Great Hall.
Be part of the North Shore’s most treasured holiday tradition.
These performances are made possible in part through the generous support of the Gloucester Cultural Council.
At the time of this performance, guests will also experience the Holiday Illumination and a portion of the Deck the Halls celebration. Beginning with the stroll from the parking lot, attendees will enjoy the Holiday Illumination lights cast upon the castle’s exterior, including the iconic arches, bell tower, front Towers, and drawbridge. As you enter the Museum and continue through the small rooms leading from the Museum Shop to the Great Hall, you’ll enjoy a peek into the annual Deck The Halls holiday celebration, where in Museum is dressed for the holidays.
While the rest of the Museum will be closed for tours during this time, attendees are eligible for a 20% discount on self-guided tour tickets for the day of their performance reservation. Discounted tickets can be purchased in person at the Museum shop until 2:00 PM on the day of the event with proof of the performance reservation.
Proceeds from these performances will support the ongoing restoration and preservation of the Museum. Museum Member savings apply.
About Firebird
The Firebird Pops Orchestra is a non-profit regional ensemble made up of musicians from across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. Our mission is to bring high-caliber, multimedia orchestral performances to local audiences—featuring the music of film, television, video games, Broadway, and more—while maintaining an inclusive and community-driven spirit.
The orchestra presents a dynamic season of performances from June through December each year, with concerts in Wakefield, Massachusetts, and at partner venues such as The Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, the Museum of Science in Boston, and Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester through our FPO@Hammond series.
About the Music Director
Brendan J. Kenney is the founder and conductor of the Firebird Pops Orchestra, established virtually in 2020. Under his dynamic leadership, the ensemble has performed numerous innovative concerts across Greater Boston and the North Shore, quickly cementing its reputation as a leading arts organization in the region. Brendan is especially known for his engaging and charismatic stage presence, creating a concert experience where audiences feel intimately involved in the performance.
Brendan’s conducting journey evolved from his extensive experience as a theatre music director, a role he has excelled in for nearly 20 years. During this time, he has conducted over 100 productions in educational, amateur, and professional theatres, collaborating with many of the region’s finest musicians.
The Firebird Pops Orchestra was born during the pandemic, offering musicians a chance to help the arts “rise from the ashes” of the lockdown period. Brendan recognized a void in virtual performance opportunities and simultaneously saw a chance to fulfill his decade-long desire to fill the gap in accessible ensembles dedicated to performing pops repertoire. The Firebird Pops’ online performances quickly captivated audiences around the world, garnering both local and national media attention.
Since its inception and pivot to live programming, Brendan has led Firebird in sold-out performances across Massachusetts at iconic venues such as the Museum of Science in Boston, Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, The Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, and Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester where the orchestra maintains a popular concert series each season, including the beloved holiday program “Christmas at the Castle.”
In addition to his work with Firebird, Brendan is a respected clinician and adjudicator, offering workshops and evaluating music competitions for music students throughout the state. As a performer, he has appeared in backup choirs for renowned artists like Sarah Brightman on her Hymn and A Christmas Symphony tours, and Josh Groban on his Bridges tour. Brendan also frequently collaborates with Broadway in Worcester’s Education Division, accompanying masterclasses with prominent Broadway performers such as Laura Benanti, Kelli O’Hara, Jessie Mueller, and Santino Fontana.