International Symphony Orchestra
 

to present

Celtic “Cultured”

Jaunty jigs, rollicking reels and lots of foot-stomping fun will be on the programme for the International Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming Celtic Extravaganza.  Performances will take place Friday, January 29^th, 7:30 p.m., Imperial Theatre, Sarnia, and Saturday, January 30^th, 7:30 p.m., McMorran Theatre, Port Huron. Under the direction of Jerome David Summers, featured guests will include: popular Celtic ensemble, Rant Maggie Rant; Stepdancer Nora Corrigan, with students from the Nora Corrigan School of Irish Dance; and our Pipe and Drum Ensemble, under the direction of Tom Rankin.

The five-member ensemble Rant Maggie Rant, offers Celtic music with a “bit of attitude”: traditional tunes played straight up or yielding to the influences of world rhythms. Reels with a touch of Appalachian Swing, jigs driven by Latin hand percussion, slow ballads as they've been played for centuries. Rant Maggie Rant takes the listener on a journey charted through the past, to new compositions of the present, passing by the shores of the seven Celtic nations on their way. Personnel includes: Mark Fletcher on guitar, mandolin, banjo, flute, and pipes; Glen Dias on vocals; Lindsay Schindler on fiddle; Barry Payne on guitars; and Bob Larose on bodhran. All of these band members have extensive performance experience, including the Millrace Festival in Cambridge, and are masters in the art of pure entertainment.

Stepdancer, Nora Corrigan, maintains a busy teaching studio in London.  Corrigan’s parents (who both danced) were originally from Ireland, and encouraged Nora at an early age to dance, feeling it would keep her tied to her Irish roots.  By ten she was a Canadian champion, and later she captured fourth place in the world championship.  A highlight of Ms. Corrigan’s career was her stint with Riverdance – touring Europe, Asia, Australia and North America.  During her final year, she was designated “lead” dancer.  Ms. Corrigan and her students will dance with full orchestra accompaniment to several medleys, including: Dancing on the Green and Celtic Vision.

A highlight of these evenings is always the Pipe and Drum Ensemble, comprised of performers drawn from throughout the area.  This year, following their traditional ceremonial entrance, the group will be featured with the orchestra in selections including: Massacre of Glencoe, Sleepy Maggie, Itchy Fingers and Glasgow Police. 

This gala celebration of Celtic Culture will also feature the orchestra in several selections, including:
Vaughan Williams’ English Folk Song Suite; an excerpt from the Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy; the beloved Danny Boy, and much more.

*The International Symphony Orchestra is appreciative of the following sponsorship
Friday, January 29^th, sponsored by ESSO - Imperial Oil
Saturday, January 30^th, sponsored by The Joseph & Vivian Martin Charitable Trust

Admission to Celtic “Cultured” is by subscription, or individual tickets, which may be purchased at:
the Symphony Office, 225 Davis St.  Sarnia,
and McMorran Box Office, 700 McMorran Blvd., Port Huron
or by calling (519) 337-7775 or (810) 984-8857
tickets may be ordered by email - iso@rivernet.net

Adult $27, Senior $24, Student $7 (Canadian Concert) plus a $3 theatre surcharge
Adult $27, Senior $24, Student $7 (American Concert)

The International Symphony Orchestra also recognizes the assistance of Ontario Arts Council
 for making possible our 2009/2010 Season “Sounds Spectacular”.