Thank you!

We wanted to extend our thanks to all of our volunteers and committee members!

The Festival wouldn't be possible without the hard work of our volunteers - on the day of the Festival, and all the weeks leading up to it :)!!

 

You helped us Fight Cancer!

In 2010 the Frederick Celtic Festival teamed up with the American Cancer Society. We gifted a portion of each ticket sold and the Saint Andrew's Society of Mid-Maryland donated over $1000.00!

Thank you for supporting the Frederick Celtic Festival AND the American Cancer Society!!

 

Entertainment-

 

Athletics

 

Pipers   Dancers

 

Main Stage Entertainers-

Searson 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iona

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RichPatrick presents both traditional  and contemporary Irish, Scottish and popular music to audiences in a unique style that crosses genres form Celtic, to traditional American Folk, Bluegrass and more!

RichPatrick, formed in 2007, celebrates Celtic music in a style all of their own. Rich Lange, Patrick Campbell and Sue Borowski bring audiences a mix of traditional and modern day Irish & Scottish tunes that continue to deliver the Celtic Spirit to audiences.

Rich, a long time performer as an acoustic guitarist and singer with King Golden Banshee in Charlottesville, VA., often donates his time and talents at a local nursing home for the seniors.

Patrick has been playing the whistle, guitar, mandolin and Irish bouzouki for years. In his spare time he crafts original music for RichPatrick.

Sue has had a great deal of experience from playing music with other bands and musicians in the Celtic genre around Pittsburgh. The lilting sounds of her fiddle and mandolin add beauty and artistic texture to every performance. Sue also plays guitar, Irish bouzouki, accordion, mandolin and last time we checked, is not done yet!

 

 

 

 

 

SEARSON is Erin, Heather and Colleen Searson, three multi-talented sisters that play a variety of instruments and are all expert step dancers. Piano, organ, fiddle, tenor guitar and bass are all highlighted in their live performances. Acclaimed drummers and percussionists round out the live shows. SEARSON have garnered much critical acclaim from musicians and audiences alike. In 2011, SEARSON toured throughout Canada, the U.S., Ireland, Germany, Denmark and headlined one of the largest music festivals in Europe at Festival Ortiguiera, Spain.

There is a startling maturity in the music of SEARSON and self-assurance in their writing. Hook-driven songs like You May Say and Pursued offer more than just instant gratification. Craving that connection between music and their audience, SEARSON have become a vehicle of genuine expression on stage. SEARSON mixes piano and fiddle playing virtuosity with easy going lyrics. SEARSON displays hints to Country-Blues style melodies while effortlessly incorporating Ottawa Valley style fiddling into their live shows.

SEARSON have recorded 6 albums throughout their illustrious career. Their latest albums, A Different Kind of Light (2008), Ignite (2009) and their newest full length album Untitled (2012), were all written entirely by SEARSON. A mixture of instrumental and vocal tracks encompass the recordings. Recorded at French Kiss Studios in Pembroke, ON, Canada with a formidable Producer: Jordon Zadorozny (Blinker The Star, Melissa Auf Der Maur).

"Although the audience was barely reserved with the first two groups and showered the musicians with applause, it went off with the Canadian group SEARSON. The spectators were carried away by the cool rhythms, the roaring percussion, the funky....electric bass sounds. Above all, Colleen Searson turned out to be a true devil's violinist. She played her fiddle so that the bow threatened to glow." ~ Diathelm Textoris, Lunen, Germany

Growing up in the Ottawa Valley, ON, Canada, Erin, Heather and Colleen began performing for audiences at a young age. Each sister was filled with an appreciation for music at an early age. Since the age of 4, Erin has been classically trained through the Royal Conservatory of music in piano. Colleen has been studying violin and fiddle methods from all styles around the world since age 9, and Heather, from the age of 11 studied with veteran bass instructors. All the sisters began step dance lessons at a very young age and competed at Fiddle and Step Dance Competitions throughout their elementary and high school years.

Never road weary, SEARSON has a relentless tour schedule ahead. "Touring and performing our original music for live audiences is the best reward we could get for years of music lessons and practicing." said Erin. "Touring with my sisters has given us a lifetime of memories that we could never imagine living without."

 

 

                                                      RichPatrick

 

 

 

The Premier Traditional Pan-Celtic Band
 

IONA's music is a unique, acoustic weave of the traditional music of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany (France), the Isle of Man, Asturies and Galicia (Spain), as well as their transplants in America. Blending songs, dance tunes, and aires into a rich and stunning tapestry, their style is outstanding in an arena where these traditions are seldom intertwined.

Conceived in 1986, IONA was the musical offspring of lead singer, bouzouki, guitar and bodhrán player Barbara Ryan and wind section, Bernard Argent. With fiddler Jim Queen (banjo and vocals as well), bass guitar player Chuck Lawhorn and dancer Kathleen Larick (also vocals and percussion), IONA has become the leading Celtic group in the Mid-Atlantic region.

They are all seasoned performers: entertainers who involve their audiences with the history and cultural backgrounds of the music, with teaching words to the songs -- even those sung in a Celtic tongue, with leading simple Breton dances, with humor, and with every emotion in the spectrum.

An IONA show is known for:

  1. Traditional Celtic Material The haunting songs, toe tapping dances and the humor of the Celtic peoples from Scotland to Brittany provide IONA with an incredibly varied repertoire
  2. Original Acoustic Arrangements All the members of the band play several instruments, often switching within a piece to achieve their unique sound. They weave tunes from different countries around their songs, pursuing complex rhythms with deft professionalism.
  3. Lively Entertaining Presentation Above all, IONA's performances are FUN! Barbara and Bernard teach audiences words to their songs (some in Celtic languages!), lead them in clapping and even encourage them to dance!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

01-12-2012 - Please check back for more updates on our Entertainment, Pipers and Dancers.

MacGratis Tent Entertainers-

Please see our events schedule page for band schedules and we hope you enjoy the shows!!