Drummer Tommy Ference has gone from being in a group named after a wizard to becoming one of the Wizards.

Ference, drummer for Lehigh Valley classic rock band, Gandalf, is the drummer for The Wizards of Winter, presenting "A Trans Siberian Experience," a concert tribute to the Trans Siberian Orchestra, 4 p.m. Dec. 8, State Theatre for the Arts, Easton.

Although band members do not consider themselves part of a tribute group, their initial goal was to faithfully reproduce the music of the Trans Siberian Orchestra in a more intimate setting.

And, for the Wizards' East Coast tour, Tommy Farese, Guy LeMonnier, Tony Gaynor and Michael Lanning, original members of The Trans Siberian Orchestra, are joining them.

"These four guys are awesome people," says Ference. "They're so good-hearted, so kind and a pleasure to work with."

The Wizards perform Trans Siberian Orchestra hits, "Christmas Eve Sarajevo," "Old City Bar," "Christmas Cannon Rock" and "Queen of the Winter Night," and its own original Christmas rock opera, "Tales Beneath a Northern Star."

Ference says his love of percussion began when he was 11.

"I had a cousin who was like a brother," says Ference in a phone interview. "He was about five years older than me and he was a true inspiration. He taught me."

Ference got himself a set of drumsticks, whereupon he banged on the kitchen counter, couch and pots and pans. "I tortured my parents for years," chuckles Ference. "They finally folded and bought me a set [of drums.]"

Ference has garnered awards throughout his music career, including Best Drummer at the 2009 Lehigh Valley Music Awards. He was in attendance at the ceremony in Miller Symphony Hall. "I was pretty stoked. I didn't think in a million years I'd win," says Ference. "As a matter of fact, I was in the bathroom when they called my name."

Ference began with the Wizards of Winter after his time with the band, No Heroes, ended in 2010. Friend and bassist, Steve Ratchen, who played with the Wizards, suggested that Ference audition. By fall 2010, Ference was one of the Wizards.

Wizards of Winter's songs are intense compositions that make the senses soar and the mind reel. The group strives to keep its stage production from being too elaborate. "A theater demands comfort," says Ference. "You want the closeness. You want it to be exciting without being overbearing."

Wizard members include Scott Kelly, music director, keyboards; Fred Gorhau and Kenny Sheldon, guitars; Meghan Williams, vocals, violin, keyboards; Michael Clayton Moore, vocals; Sharon Kelly, vocals, flute; Mary Macintyre, vocals, keyboards; Tom Gorski, narrator, and Ratchen, bass.

Says Ference, "We love our fans. We are tickled to death to be doing this."