An International Christmas

FIFTY YEARS OF JOY ...

Welcome to the 50th anniversary of An International Christmas ~ Joy Joy Joy presented by the Ascension Liturgical Choir and featuring the Kairos Youth Choir, Oakland School of the Arts Concert Choir, the Young People's Symphony Orchestra (the country's second oldest youth orchestra), and special guests.

To appreciate this recorded program is to also understand the evolution of the Greek community in Oakland, CA, briefly summarized from the Ascension Historical Society (AHS) website pahh.org and available in the Commemorative Program section.

When Perecles (aka Perry) Phillips' professional life as the Night Club Editor of the Oakland Tribune began in 1962, the wealth of local musical talent that made his thrice-weekly “Night Sounds” column often evolved into personal friendships. Over the years, An International Christmas has seen the likes of such local musical favorites as Maxine Howard, Eddie Pasternak, Roger Glenn, Macatee Hollie, Chris Bogios, and the Prometheus Symphony Orchestra, to name just a few.

Following his passing in 1991, the producer’s torch was passed to his daughter, Frosene Phillips. Over the years, she has continued the tradition established by her father.

“It has been an honor and privilege to continue to present this holiday concert to our greater Bay Area community for the 29th time,” shares Frosene, on the anniversary of the 50th performance. “My father, Perecles 'Perry' Phillips, conceived the concert with the vision of kicking off the holiday spirit with this free concert of international holiday music for the community. It’s been a joy to offer this gift of music each year and continue the legacy that my father began in the late sixties. Over the last decade, we have been blessed with the many talents of our choir director, Laura Kakis Serper, who has continued to elevate the program year after year. My father would be thrilled!”

PHOTOS BY KOSTAS PETRAKOS PHOTOGRAPHY