The Wizards of Winter

The Wizards of Winter
The Wizards of Winter performing live at the Effingham Performance Center in Effingham, Illinois, December 18, 2015
Background information
Genres	Christmas music, progressive rock, symphonic metal
Years active	2009–present
Labels	Breaking Bands, LLC
Associated acts	The Kings of Christmas, Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Website	www.thewizardsofwinter.com
Members	Scott Kelly Sharon Kelly Steve Ratchen Fred Gorhau Guy LeMonnier Greg Smith Mary McIntyre Tommy Ference T.W. Durfy Vincent Jiovino Tony Gaynor Shawna Mehall Ellie Krasner

The Wizards of Winter is a progressive rock holiday music band from the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut working under the label Breaking Bands, LLC. They are an eclectic group of musicians with strong classical and progressive rock influences woven throughout their musical careers.

The Wizards of Winter were formed in 2009 by Scott Kelly, Sharon Kelly and Steve Ratchen as a way to give back to the local community. A holiday concert was held to support a local food pantry which was in severe financial straits. They continued to give back the community through several successful holiday music performances in 2010. In 2011 the band embarked upon writing their own Christmas rock opera, Tales Beneath a Northern Star.

The Wizards of Winter released their own self-titled Christmas rock opera album based on entirely original material in 2014. In 2015, they released their second album, The Magic of Winter, which includes their single featured on Yahoo Music "The Spirit of Christmas". Cover art for both albums was designed by rock cover artist Ioannis.

Throughout their tours, the band supports research for choroideremia through "Angels for Mark" and donates proceeds from sales of their single "March Of The Metal Soldiers" to the Wounded Warrior Project. The Wizards of Winter performed a few of Trans-Siberian Orchestra's greatest hits but most of the concert consists of their own original music.

The Wizards have toured with five of the original members of Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Tommy Farese, Guy LeMonnier, Tony Gaynor, Michael Lanning and Joe Cerisano). Guy LeMonnier and Tony Gaynor joined the band as an official members in 2014. In 2015 The Wizards of Winter toured with Greg Smith, longtime bassist-vocalist for Ted Nugent. In 2016, Greg Smith joined the band as an official member.