Holidays Feature Music in CRC Atrium, Santa Visit to Inn

Police officer in costume poses with young female patient.

Montgomery County Police Officer M. Hoffman poses with inn resident Cooper, 11, an NCI patient.

Photo: JEN FORESTER, DEBBIE ACCAME

Santa Claus gets off his Harley-Davidson motorcycle upon his arrival at Children's Inn.

Santa Claus, a.k.a. Montgomery County Police Officer Robert “Bobby” Ladany, greets children and families after rolling up in front of the inn on a Harley-Davidson, escorted by 30 motor officer elves.

Photo: Debbie Accame, Jen Forester

Family poses for a photo with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus

Children’s Inn families like Beth (l), her sister, Caroline, 14, an NIAMS patient, and their mom, Stephanie, enjoy posing for a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a.k.a. Jackie Ladany, at the holiday party following the 2018 Santa Ride.

Photo: Debbie Accame, Jen Forester

PHS Ensemble performs at holiday party.

The Public Health Service Ensemble Chorus performs in the CRC.

Photo: Debbie Accame, Jen Forester

NSO horn ensemble performs at holiday party.

The NSO horn ensemble “Horns-a-Plenty” also performed during December.

Photo: Debbie Accame, Jen Forester

NIH Chamber Singers perform onstage at holiday party.

The NIH Chamber Singers give a free concert.

Photo: Debbie Accame, Jen Forester

Policeman at table, talking with a young child at a holiday party.

Montgomery County Police Lt. David McBain chats with Children’s Inn resident and NIAID patient Lucy, 10.

Photo: Debbie Accame, Jen Forester

A youngster paints the face of a police officer at a holiday party.

An inn resident paints the face of Montgomery County Police Officer J.R. Howard at the inn holiday party.

Photo: Debbie Accame, Jen Forester

Aaron Reeder sings, with a pianist behind him, accompanying.

In the CRC atrium, vocalist Aaron Reeder sings for the season.

Photo: Debbie Accame, Jen Forester

Singers perform for the holidays at the Clinical Center.

The NIH Nerds in Harmony give a free concert in the CRC.

Photo: Debbie Accame, Jen Forester

Jazz musicians play at holiday party

The University of Maryland Jazz Quartet perform in the CRC.

Photo: Debbie Accame, Jen Forester

The atrium of the Clinical Research Center commonly hosts musical performances, but never so frequently as the holidays. The period Dec. 6-19 saw six events presented in the towering space for the enjoyment of patients, staff and visitors. Giving free concerts were the NIH Chamber Singers, vocalist Aaron Reeder, the National Symphony Orchestra’s Horn Ensemble “Horns-a-Plenty,” NIH Nerds in Harmony, the Public Health Service Ensemble Chorus and the University of Maryland Jazz Quartet.

On Dec. 12, Santa paid a call on the Children’s Inn at NIH. Thirty Montgomery County Police Department motorcycle officers escorted Santa on his visit. The entourage from the North Pole appeared in photos with the children, did face-painting, created ornaments and shopped for gifts at the inn’s Gingerbread Gift Shop, which was stocked with toys and gifts provided by caring donors.

“It was fun, and the officers were so kind,” said Bella, 10, of Florida.

During the visit, most children asked Santa for toys, phones, books or cosmetics. But Cruz, 9, of California, who has a rare, genetic autoinflammatory disorder, had a more pressing wish. “I wish I didn’t have this disease,” he said.