A Musical Gathering of Family and Friends

With Celtic harps, hammered dulcimers, whistles, concertina, strings and more, Philip and Pam Boulding and their five grown children along with granddaughters Rowan, Kailey and Lindsey are joined by the lightning feet of the Raney Irish Dancers. Thomas Arthur entrances all with his lyrical juggling.  Lively new spins on jigs and reels bring the champion Scottish fiddle and piano brother/sister duo, The McKassons, including percussionist Matt Jerrell to Yuletide for the second time.  Soulful Irish songs sung by actress/singer Colleen Raney (another sibling of the Raney clan) will grace the hall, while her brother Mark Raney on vocals, guitar and cittern charms all with his warmth, humor, and poignant songs. Tom Creegan plays in Tacoma and Seattle per tradition with his haunting Uilleann pipes.  Also featured are a children’s choir, and a magical tale from the Scottish tradition, “The Yule Beggar” providing a glimpse of another world through story, verse and eurythmy.  The audience becomes a key part of the festivities, with members invited to don a costume and follow the processional through the aisles with the musicians, and join in the caroling near evening’s end.  The hall resounds in glorious harmony as we close singing “All Through the Night.”

About Magical Strings

Since 1980, Magical Strings has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland and Japan. The group has toured and recorded with Dan Fogelberg, appeared on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion,” recorded 16 albums on four labels, with a new original solo harp CD, Musings, just released this season.  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, a sojourn which has inspired much of the music on their recent CDs.  Philip and Pam also design and build Celtic harps, run the School of Magical Strings, and host the Magic Hill Summer Harp Camp on their beautiful 5-acre home overlooking the Puget Sound.

About the McKassons

Ryan and Cali, a brother/sister band from the Pacific Northwest, perform their musical magic with a mythical melodic force that has been turning heads in the American Celtic music scene.  Ryan, fiddler, and Cali, pianist, bring an exciting edge to the Scottish fiddle tradition, creating constantly evolving textures within a powerful mix of contemporary and traditional influences.  Ryan was the youngest winner of the National Scottish Fiddle Championship in 1996.  With two brilliant CD’s, and a Kennedy Center debut this year, The McKassons join forces with Magical Strings for the second time in what promises to be a dynamic and lyrical collaboration this Celtic Yuletide season!

About Colleen Raney

Colleen Raney has been performing since the age of 4 as a singer, dancer, and professional actor in the Pacific Northwest, and most recently based in New York. As one half of the duo Mark and Colleen Raney, she has been putting her own spin on Irish music around the area for 15 years. Colleen also appears as a vocalist for various groups including Magical Strings, The McKassons, Rapparee and at the annual Everett Historical Theatre St. Patrick’s Day Gala.

 

Magical Strings
P.O. Box 1240
Olalla, WA 98359
253-857-3716

It will be a grand celebration of 29 years, don't miss it! Order your tickets right away, they will sell out early this year.

Comments from Yuletide attendees
“It’s not Christmas till the Yuletide Celebration.”   NG, Kirkland
“What a joy and delight. My heart was stirred, and my feet were tapping. Enchanting!”  PD, Centralia
“A fantastically warm concert. This is the beginning of a new tradition for me and my family.”  BM, Gig Harbor
“Sets my feet a dancin’ and my hear soaring! I’m 67 now—used to be a folk dancer—you make me feel young again!” LJ
“ Wonderful! Thanks for including us in your family!” KC, Snohomish
“We brought cousins visiting here from Limerick, Ireland who declared the program 'brilliant’”. MP,
“I feel deep joy listening to the music – ancient stirrings of something warm and familiar. Thanks!”  DH

Celtic Yuletide Concert Schedule