How did you get this opportunity?

Ed Kee, conductor of Frances’ annual Portraits of White Christmas show from 2014-2018, planted the seed for this project during a conversation in his Nashville office in 2017. As someone involved in the highly successful Christmas Hymnworks project by Linda McKechnie through Brentwood Benson, Ed had firsthand experience with recording alongside the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO). Recognizing Frances’ passion for orchestral music and Marsh’s Christmas projects, Ed suggested the idea of a similar endeavor in the future.

Frances became familiar with Phillip Keveren’s arrangements when she and Ed were choosing songs for each December event. Frances felt a musical connection to Keveren’s arrangements. After Phillip Keveren arranged a piece for Frances’ 2019 Portraits of White concert specifically for Kirstin and Frances, they decided to commission 9 more pieces from him for a Christmas album in 2022.

Following a successful collaboration with Phillip on Midwinter’s Gift and his own experience working with the LSO on his own project, Sojourner, Double Keyed decided to elevate their Christmas music by partnering with Phillip on The LSO Project.

When will you be recording with the orchestra?

Due to the scale of this project and the logistical challenges involved in booking the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) and the recording studio, we do not have a set recording date yet. Both the LSO and the studio must be booked 6-8 months in advance, with full payment required upfront. As funds become available, we will determine a recording date.

We are tentatively planning for a Christmas release in 2026.

Will you get to play with them?

Phillip Keveren and his engineer, Kent Hooper, will oversee the recording process from start to finish, guiding us through each step, which means a trip to London and a trip to Nashville. We're excited to have a front-row view of the recording session and witness the magic unfold from start to finish, and even play a couple of the songs with them.

Will the LSO play on every song?

Absolutely! Every piece on the album will showcase a distinctive fusion of the LSO, Frances on the piano, and Kirstin on the oboe with occasional appearances on English horn. With Keveren’s world class arrangements, this project will take listeners on a unique journey, reigniting their love with cherished Christmas classics.

What kind of music will this be?

It’s going to be a Christmas album - what can we say - we love Christmas! All of the songs will be Christmas classics but presented with a unique, fresh and luscious twist. Because of generous support we have received thus far, we now have 9 of the 11 pieces arranged, orchestrated and paid for!

When will the project be ready?

We are aiming for a 2026 Christmas release for the project. However, the timeline is subject to change depending on funding availability. Stay tuned for updates as we progress with the project!

Has anyone contributed funds to The LSO Project yet?

After our Portraits of White 2023 concert series, a generous audience member approached us and provided the initial $100.00 toward our project. A few weeks later, they graciously added another $1,000.00, allowing us to kick-start the process.

Since then, we have quietly raised over 26% of the funds, we officially kicked off our fundraising efforts with our project launch on November 22, 2024 with the combined efforts of MS FitEffect who we profusely thank for their efforts.

Currently, we are actively seeking major sponsorships through corporations with the assistance of a sponsor concierge in Los Angeles, California and most recently, we have developed the…

“Fill a Key, Fill a Heart” Campaign

To bring this vision to life, we’ve launched our “Fill a Key, Fill a Heart” campaign. What is this?

• Each of the 88 keys on Frances’ piano symbolize a funding milestone of $1365

• 23 keys have already been filled (over $32,000) thanks to early supporters!

• Your sponsorship will not only help us complete the album, but also support MS FitEffect, a local nonprofit close to our hearts. Kirstin’s father lived with MS for 38 years and one of her children’s former teachers is currently fighting the chronic disease that attacks the central nervous system. This gives deeper purpose to our music.

How can I help?

If you are moved to do so, you can help in a number of ways!

• Cheer us on! Your encouragement and emotional support mean the world to us. With a project of this magnitude, the hills and valleys of climbing this Mt. Everest can be steep in both directions. To be honest, we are glad and grateful you are even reading these words!

• Attend our public concerts: specifically, we will be holding 2 fundraising concerts in 2025. On October 19 (Kirstin’s birthday!) we will perform at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Lancaster at 3:30 and on November 16 we will hold our 2nd fundraising event at The Meeting House in Carlisle, also at 3:30. We would LOVE to see you there - more details coming soon.

• Contribute monetarily to this unique and heartfelt project, here’s how:

1. Send a check* payable to Frances Drost (Memo: “LSO”) and mail to: 611 Greenspring Rd., Newville, PA 17241

2. Donate online

3. Contact us: 717-776-6474 or email to discuss giving options.

*sending a check avoids online fees and ensures that all funds will go toward this project

What are the benefits?

As a contributor, you will:

• Be recognized on this website and concert programs

• Help create something lasting, meaningful and joy-filled for generations to come

• Help support music and the arts in your community as well as the local nonprofit MS FitEffect

Thank you

…for helping us “fill the keys” - and hearts - with music that provides not only joy, but sanctuary to the soul.
We simply cannot do this without YOU.