Bay Philharmonic Presents Celtic Celebration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2024
CONTACT:
Karin Conn: 415-902-5800 | karin@connsf.net
Denise Lamott: 415-235-6458 | Denise@DeniseLamottpr.com
Bay Philharmonic Presents Celtic Celebration
St. Patrick's Day, Sunday, March 17
Bay Philharmonic and Artistic Director/Conductor Jung-Ho Pak showcase the beauty of Celtic culture with Irish step dancers, Scottish fiddlers, singers, storytellers and more
Hayward, CA -- Bay Philharmonic is excited to announce Celtic Celebration on Sunday, March 17, at 3 p.m., at their premier venue, Chabot College Performing Arts Center in Hayward, CA. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day, promising an exciting, lively, soulful, educational, and entertaining experience. “Bring out the green. This concert will get the entire family in the Irish spirit.”
Bay Philharmonic's artistic director and conductor, Jung-Ho Pak, will share colorful stories about the Celtic culture and traditions. Notable performances by Annie Dupre (vocals/violin), Caroline McCaskey (award-winning Scottish fiddler), Culann's Hounds (Irish band), San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers (beloved Bay Area fiddle group), Todd Denman (Irish uilleann pipes), Bill Wolaver (piano/arranger), Kennelly School of Irish Dance (Irish dancers), and Dunsmuir Scottish Dancers, along with the entertaining 50-piece Bay Philharmonic orchestra.
"We are pulling out all the stops to bring you an extraordinary and unique St. Patrick's Day celebration with wonderful Celtic musicians, singers, dancers, and storytellers," says Jung-Ho Pak. "Along with engaging video, gorgeous lighting, and stunning sets, concertgoers will get a true immersive Celtic experience. If you're looking for luck o' the Irish, this show will fill your pot of gold!"
The festivities start at 2 p.m. when the doors open, welcoming all guests to enjoy pre-show Celtic entertainment, festive beers, beverages, and snacks (available for purchase). (DETAILS TO BE ADDED). The primary performance begins at 3 p.m.
Bay Philharmonic's renowned and esteemed Artistic Director and Conductor Jung-Ho Pak has been described by The New York Times as a conductor who "radiates enthusiasm" and the LA Times as "a real grabber." Jung-Ho Pak is known for his unique approach and vision for symphonic music. Pak brings over 35 years of experience conducting acclaimed professional and conservatory orchestras worldwide. As with every show, Pak will infuse his style of creativity, knowledge, connections, passion, and enthusiastic conversational personality.
Individual show tickets are $25 to $67 and are available on the Bay Philharmonic website, BayPhil.org.
The Bay Philharmonic season culminates with:
Tchaikovsky Gold on Sunday, June 23
Bay Philharmonic will announce the upcoming season soon
FOR CALENDAR EDITORS:
What:
Bay Philharmonic Presents Celtic Celebration
Blurb:
Bay Philharmonic Presents Celtic Celebration on Sunday, March 17 at 3 p.m. (pre-show 2 p.m.). A multi-media and multi-sensory showstopper with Jung-Ho Pak conducting, Annie Dupre (vocals/violin), Caroline McCaskey (award-winning Scottish fiddler), Culann's Hounds (Irish band), San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers (beloved Bay Area fiddle group), Todd Denman (Irish uilleann pipes), Bill Wolaver (piano/arranger), Kennelly School of Irish Dance (Irish dancers), Dunsmuir Scottish Dancers, along with the entertaining 50-piece Bay Philharmonic orchestra at their premier venue, Chabot College Performing Arts Center in Hayward, CA. Tickets are $25 to $67 and are available on the Bay Philharmonic website, bayphil.org.
When:
Sunday, March 17, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
Doors open at 2 p.m. for a festive lobby reception with Celtic entertainment and refreshments.
Where:
Chabot College Performing Arts Center
2555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94545
Tickets/info: Please visit bayphil.org. 510-723-6976
Jung-Ho-Pak (Artistic Director and Conductor of the Bay Philharmonic)
Previously, Jung-Ho Pak was Director of the Cape Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Orchestra Nova, and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. He was the Music Director at many major music schools, including the University of Southern California, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, U.C. Berkeley, Disney Young Musicians Symphony, Debut Orchestra (Los Angeles), Colburn Chamber Orchestra, and Diablo Ballet. Pak was Director of Orchestras and Music Director of the World Youth Symphony Orchestra at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Guest conducting has taken Pak around the globe, leading groups in Europe, Russia, South America, and Asia.
Pak is a frequent speaker on television and radio, including TED Talks and National Public Radio, and appears as a clinician and conductor at significant music festivals nationwide.
Annie Dupre (Vocals/Violin)
One of the pre-eminent violinists and vocalists working today. In 2002, she began touring as lead singer and first violinist with the Annie Moses Band, a group comprised of her six siblings. Since that time, she has starred in multiple PBS specials including the Emmy-nominated The Art of the Love Song, released by Warner Classics, and has recorded over a dozen albums. She has toured extensively, performing in many world-class venues. A classical prodigy, Annie won numerous state and national competitions from an early age. At 18 she was awarded a scholarship to the Juilliard School’s collegiate program. Annie carries a passion for educating young people in music and the arts. For over twenty years, she had co-directed the Annie Moses Summer Music Festival, a week-long arts event that culminates in multiple professionally produced shows, all featuring young artists.
Caroline McCaskey (Award-Winning Scottish fiddler)
A native daughter of the genre-bending West Coast music scene, Caroline McCaskey is an award-winning violinist, cellist, fiddle, and saw player. Teacher and multi-instrumentalist performer throughout North America and author of the AltStrings Fiddle Method, she holds degrees in music composition and performance, as well as Suzuki teaching certification in violin and cello. She has taught at Alasdair Fraser’s Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School and Sierra Fiddle Camp, as well as Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp and Fiddlekids Day Camp.
Culann’s Hounds (Irish Band)
Playing shows for almost two decades. Starting their run in a small Irish bar in the inner Sunset of San Francisco called The Blackthorn Tavern in 1999, their steady rise has been a credit to their love of the music and ability to consistently deliver hard driving quality shows with a strong dose of rebel attitude, humor, and a few drops of whiskey. Five albums later they have multiple national and international tours under their belt in addition to headlining festivals and large music venues. The thread that has held the band together is the same one that has drawn the members back to their roots: love of traditional Irish music.
San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers (beloved Bay Area fiddle group)
World-renowned Alasdair Fraser founded The San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers in 1986 and since has grown to over 250 members performing Celtic music from Scotland, Ireland, Galicia, and Brittany, as well as tunes from Scandinavia, Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, and even Quebecois. Performers range from beginners to award-winning instrumentalists playing fiddle, cello, bass, guitar, mandolin, harp, flute, pennywhistle, drum, pipes, and voice (and even harmonica, concertina, accordion, nyckelharpa, tenor banjo, and others on occasion). A volunteer-run organization under the auspices of The Scottish Fiddlers of California, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation (#95-4063752).
Todd Denman (Irish Uilleann Pipes)
Todd Denman has been performing the uilleann pipes since 1982 and is recognized as an American master of the instrument. A rare form of bagpipe native to Ireland, the uilleann pipes are bellows inflated and have the largest musical and harmonic capacity of all bagpipes in the world. Having received an NEA endowment as a young man in 1982, Todd studied in Ireland and performed in Europe, Ireland and across the US. His recordings have reached Top-10 charts and received wide acclaim in both Ireland and America. His theatrical performances have sold out and he has been a California Arts Council Touring Artist for many seasons. Combining American clogging and Irish step dancing with original choreography, Todd Denman and Aniar perform a fully theatrical musical show, entitled Soulstice. Playing in a variety of advanced piping styles, from traditional to modern improvisations, including both period "flat" pitch and modern instruments, Todd's music combines drive and detail with a musical originality.
Bill Wolaver (Piano/Arranger)
Bill Wolaver received his BM in piano performance from Oklahoma City University. He is a prolific and renowned composer and arranger in Nashville, TN, working with multiple publishing companies. He and his wife, Robin, have been involved with Christian music over 20 years, with songs, musicals, and arrangements published by several leading Christian publishers. Together, they composed "Make His Praise Glorious", recorded by Sandi Patty and nominated for Dove Award for ‘Song of the Year.’ In addition, they have received an ASCAP Award for ‘Inspirational Song of the Year.’ He is also the pianist/composer/arranger for the Annie Moses Band.
Kennelly School of Irish Dance
The Kennelly School started in 1959 and Patricia Kennelly assumed the role as director in 1975. The Kennelly School is proud to have won titles in solo, ceili, figure and drama categories at the North American Championships, All Ireland, European, Great Britain, British National, and All Scotland Championships, and her students have also placed on the podium at the World Championships. In addition to participating in competitive events, students have many opportunities to perform. From private receptions for Irish dignitaries to major musical events in arenas like the Hollywood Bowl or dancing with great bands such as the Chieftains, DeDannaan, Eileen Ivers, Arcady, Danu, and so many more, the school has a rich history in performing and the promotion of traditional Irish music. Patricia plays the button accordion and was taught by Joe Cooley from Co. Galway. She is an adjudicator and grade examiner with the Irish Dancing Commission. Patricia is committed to excellence in a fun and enjoyable atmosphere of learning.
Award-winning Dunsmuir Scottish Dancers, Scottish Country, Highland, and Step Dancing Performance Group of the Greater San Francisco Bay Area is a company dedicated to keeping alive the spirit and form of Scottish dances, old and new. Their repertoire spans four centuries of dance tradition. Period costumes and musical stylings bring the past to the present.
For the past 57 years, Bay Philharmonic has served the Bay Area with their unique mission Enrich the Soul. Inspire the Mind. Delight the Senses. The Bay Phil presents the most imaginative and entertaining shows that will amaze audiences from the beautiful Bay Area and beyond. Our charismatic Artistic Director and Conductor, Jung-Ho Pak, curates a magical experience, bringing his talents and enthusiasm to every performance and guaranteeing an engaged and happy audience.
Chabot College Performing Arts Center
The Chabot College Performing Arts Center is one of the East Bay's premier live events venues, with top-quality acoustics, beautiful esthetics, and ADA accessibility. It is centrally located right off the freeway, with ample FREE parking and a short, pleasant stroll to the venue.
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