The 24th annual Old Northeast Candlelight Tour of Homes December 11 will again feature an array of beautiful historic homes. But this year, Tour guests will be treated to live musical performances while they visit the individual homes. And the musical lineup is as impressive as the Tour homes!

Ben Pila is a Juilliard-trained guitarist who’s performed at events for five U.S. Presidents and Pope Francis. The Tampa resident is the only classical guitarist ever named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. He’s performed extensively throughout the United States and has been a featured artist at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and Lincoln Center, Washington, D.C.’s John F. Kennedy Center, and San Francisco’s Herbst Theater.

Ben is a semi-regular performer at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum where he’s played on programs with James Taylor, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Itzhak Pearlman, and Yo-Yo Ma. Ben’s debut CD, “Commemoration,” is a tribute to the survivors and victims of 9/11.

Ben isn’t the only instrumental performer on the Tour. Victoria Garcia is a gifted harpist and holiday music is among her favorite genres.  She was inspired to play the harp as a child and has now been performing for over 30 years. She studied harp at the University of North Carolina. She has performed with the Tampa Bay Symphony and the Suncoast Symphony and currently is a member of the Tampa Bay Harp Ensemble.

Victoria has outstanding credentials and many years of amazing performances, but she says her favorite performance was playing at a private exhibit in St. Petersburg of Princess Diana’s dresses and gowns.

What’s a holiday homes tour without carolers? This year’s Tour will feature three groups of singers from  The Canterbury School of Florida. Two groups of students in grades 1-4 from the Hough Campus Singers will be joined by a group of 5 Upper School Thespians.  The students in grades 3 and 4 will include tone chimes in their repertoire and the thespian singers will also be performing to the music.

Between the decorated historic homes and the festive holiday music accompaniment, there will be no lack of holiday spirit at this year’s homes tour December 11 from 3-8. You can buy your tickets here https://honna.org/honna-events/annual-candlelight-tour/