Magical Strings returns to the Shorecrest Performing Arts Center Nov. 26 for their annual Celtic Yuletide Concert, a festive evening of seasonal music, dance, song, storytelling and juggling.
Three generations of performing artists weave the music of different lands into a tapestry symbolizing the Yuletide journey from darkness to light. The seven-plus member Boulding family bring their Celtic harps, hammered dulcimers, violins, cello, whistles and concertina to the stage to be joined by the Raney Family Irish Dancers in full Irish regalia. Thomas Arthur returns with his “lyrical juggling.”
Also featured in this performance are vocalist Brooke McKasson and percussionist Matt Jerrell, and champion Scottish fiddler Brian McKasson and pianist and harpist Cali McKasson. Tom Creegan performs with the Uilleann pipes and Mark Raney is spotlighted on vocals, guitar and cittern.
Rounding out evening are a children’s choir singing Irish songs in Gaelic, and the tale of the Celtic St. Bridget. The audience is invited to don costumes and sing carols with the processional of musicians at the conclusion of the performance.
Since 1980 Magical Strings has performed throughout the U.S., Canada, Ireland and Japan. The group has toured and recorded with Dan Fogelberg, appeared on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion,” recording 16 albums and finished their Spring 2006 tour at the Kennedy Center. Philip and Pam Boulding were awarded a residency from an Irish arts organization in County Kerry to compose music in an old stone cottage on a bluff overlooking the western sea, an experience which has inspired much of the music on their most recent recordings. The Bouldings also design and build Celtic harps, run the School of Magic Strings and host the Magic Hill Harp Camp at their home overlooking the Puget Sound.
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