Trans-Siberian Orchestra fans who missed the group’s recent shows in Wilkes-Barre, do not fret: Twelve Twenty-Four will snugly fill the holiday-rock-orchestra slot with shows in Jim Thorpe.

Twelve Twenty-Four, which performs the music of TSO, will play Friday and Saturday evenings at Mauch Chunk Opera House, located on West Broadway. Fans should expect to hear familiar TSO hits such as “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24” and “Christmas Canon.”

In 2002, several musicians living in northeastern Pennsylvania formed Twelve Twenty-Four. While Hazleton served as the group’s base for many years, band and crew members currently live in different parts of central and northeastern Pennsylvania.

Though Twelve Twenty-Four only performs during the holiday season, behind-the-scenes production occurs throughout the year, with rehearsals starting during the summer.

Evolution

The group, which has evolved from a five-piece rock band to a complete rock orchestra, features co-founders Lenny Kucinski on guitar and Jason “JBird” Santos on keyboards, guitar and vocals.

Twelve Twenty-Four’s six shows this month - the band will also perform in Scranton, Hazleton, Bloomsburg and Norwich, New York - serve as “A Farewell to Lenny,” marking Kucinski’s retirement from the group.

Rounding out the Twelve Twenty-Four lineup: violinists Jill Trapane and daughter Michaelina, guitarist/vocalist Kevin Reilly, bassist Dirk Yahraes, keyboardist Frank Gruden, vocalists Ekat Pereyra and Shannon Tiboni, and drummer Van White.

In 2009, Twelve Twenty-Four’s live arrangement of “Little Drummer Boy” inspired the band to record its own holiday music arrangements. The result, 2010s “Miracle on Rock Street,” takes its name from Rock Street Music in Pittston, where the album was partially recorded.

A second studio set, “Light in the Dark,” followed in 2012. The album reflects a journey beginning from a state of promise, passing through a valley of darkness and finding a path out of the darkness back to an awakening.

In late 2018, Twelve Twenty-Four released the EP “Transcendence.”

Supporting different causes

Aside from performing, Twelve Twenty-Four regularly supports charities and causes throughout its touring region. Among its endeavors, the band has donated some music-sale proceeds to the Earthly Angels Autism Foundation and performed free shows for the White Haven Center.

Proceeds have benefited, among others, school music programs, fire departments, animal rescues, religious organizations and arts institutes.

Twelve Twenty-Four has earned recognition for its commitment to community involvement, including the White Haven Center’s Respect Award, a Letter of Recognition from former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett, and The Arc of Luzerne County’s Outstanding Community Member of the Year Award.

Q&A

Before Twelve Twenty-Four’s shows in Jim Thorpe, Yahraes - who has played bass for 40-plus years and performed in a variety of musical ensembles and theatrical productions - engaged in a Q&A with the Times News. The bassist joined the group in 2009.

Q: What was it about TSO that inspired Twelve Twenty-Four?

A: We are inspired by the music and stage presentation of some of music’s greatest rock orchestras. Of course, that includes the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, but we also draw inspiration from other orchestras and progressive musical acts such as Dream Theater, Mannheim Steamroller and the Electric Light Orchestra, to name a few.

Our inspiration came simply from the great music the TSO has produced and the way it brings together people of all ages for the Christmas season. Add some driving rock ‘n’ roll to the mix and you have a great way to celebrate the holidays.

Q: Has Twelve Twenty-Four ever met/interacted with TSO or any of its members?

A: Several individual members of the band and crew have had personal interactions with various members of TSO. We were blessed during our 2009 Holiday Tour to have a former singer from TSO, Maxx Mann, perform with us that year. Maxx, unfortunately, passed away a few years ago. During our year together, he taught us a lot about how to present the show and pushed to make us better. His influence and guidance is still a big part of our show.

Q: For fans new to Twelve Twenty-Four, has the band recorded original material?

A: Each of those albums contain both Twelve Twenty-Four’s arrangements of traditional, well-known Christmas songs, as well as original compositions written by various members of the band over the years. Our own arrangements/compositions are TSO-inspired, but not covers of their music.

Q: Is Lenny Kucinksi moving on to another music project, and how will his absence, and his 20-year contribution, impact the group going forward?

A: Lenny and his family moved to much warmer climes several years ago. He has been great about doing the very long commute the past couple of holiday seasons, but it is his time for him to say goodbye to us. He was one of the original members of the band and has performed at every show since the very beginning.

For over two decades, Lenny has worked very hard behind the scenes not only contributing to our past and current successes, but to also help ensure our future successes as we move forward without him next year. We have some big shoes to fill, both musically and administratively, with his departure.

Q: What can fans expect from the shows in Jim Thorpe?

A: Fans can expect an evening of great holiday music. If any of them are not in the Christmas spirit, they will be when they leave the opera house. Our show primarily features the music of the TSO. We do all of the most familiar TSO hits in our show.

We also mix in some of our original compositions/arrangements and perhaps a surprise song or two, just to show off our non-Christmas music chops. While it is difficult to reproduce the extensive visual presentation of a TSO concert, we do provide the musical experience and we do that in a more intimate and personal environment.