Celtic Weave returns with music from 30 performers
THE New Ross and District Pipe Band’s annual ‘Celtic Weave’ concert takes place in St Michael’s Theatre, New Ross, on Saturday, March 24, featuring 30 musicians from County Wexford, Scotland and France.
The term ‘Celtic Weave’ refers to the traditional Celtic knotting which can be seen in ancient manuscripts such as the Book of Kells. The concert is termed ‘Celtic Weave’ because the band attempts to weave a number of strands of Celtic music into a unified presentation.
The ‘Celtic Weave’ concept brings together the traditional pipe band with other genres of music and other musical instruments for what is an attractive and exciting blend. Guests this year include:
Ceoltóirí Munna – a very talented young Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann traditional group from Taghmon which comprises some 20 young musicians, the exceptional Cumas Ceilidh Band from New Ross and New Ross Pantomime Society Choir. Paul Comiskey, one of the south east’s best musical arrangers and musicians, has worked closely with the pipe band in recent years to develop its concert repertoire and is mainly responsible for most of the excellent arrangements.
The band has impressed audiences across the world. In April, the band will be participating in the Virginia Tattoo in Norfolk, Virginia, USA and in August the band will once again be representing Ireland at the prestigious Festival Interceltique in Lorient, France. The concert combines the following music and instruments: pipe band, fiddle, flute, banjo, accordion, mandolin, organ, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, voice, bodhran and other percussion instruments. It features ballads, marches, airs, laments, jigs, reels, songs and poetry.