Ocean City’s Downtown Shoppers Treated to Holiday Concert

By MADDY VITALE A red upright piano at Eighth Street and Asbury Avenue in Ocean City was only part of the allure that attracted people to the corner on Sunday. Young pianists entertained the downtown shoppers while performing a mini-concert of Christmas favorites from noon to 3 p.m. "We’ve been calling it Carols on Asbury,” piano teacher Shawn Quigley said of the free holiday concert. “The shoppers really seem to love what my students play.” While the red piano is a new addition, Quigley and his students began performing holiday tunes at the same corner last year during the pandemic to spread some holiday cheer. Family and friends watch the concert. “Some people have never seen a red piano,” Quigley said with a smile, before holding the sheet music for Nate Aschmann, of Petersburg. Nate played “Carol of the Bells,” which generated applause from a captivated audience. Quigley teaches piano in Ocean View. Several of his students stopped by in Ocean City to perform to the delight of onlookers. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Silent Night” and other classic holiday favorites were performed. Brooke Fearnhead, 9, whose mother, Jamie Fearnhead, is a sergeant in the Ocean City Police Department, was all smiles after she played for family and friends and fellow students who gathered. Juliana Reed, 11, of Marmora, performs for an audience. Quigley’s students arrived one by one to perform their special holiday songs. Nate Aschmann has been taking lessons from Quigley for seven years. “He’s just a really nice, really good teacher,” Nate said shortly after his performance. Adding to the festive atmosphere, two horses and carriages clip-clopped along Asbury Avenue while carrying visitors who watched the pianists and waved. Quigley noted that he and some of his students will be back for another free performance next Sunday, also from noon to 3 p.m. Shawn Quigley performs on his eye-catching red piano.