Symphony 5: Celtic Crossroads

Symphony 5: Celtic Crossroads
Saturday, April 20, 2024, 7:30 pm
W.K. Kellogg Auditorium
CILLIAN VALLELY, DAVID DOOCEY & ALAN MURRAY
Greater Midwest Pipe Band
Simone Rachel Irish, vocals

Discover your Celtic roots as we share the stage with renowned Irish piper Cillian Vallely with fiddler David Doocey, guitarist Alan Murray and vocalist Simone Rachel Irish. But first, the Greater Midwest Pipe Band will welcome you with Scottish pipes and drums.

Immerse yourself in the enchanting melodies and spirited rhythms of the Celtic lands at our upcoming concert event! Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the vibrant musical traditions of Ireland, Scotland, and beyond.

Get Tickets

Fun Facts about the Concert

We will have two types of "pipes" in the concert, the uilleann pipes and the highland pipes.
Included in the program will also be a Celtic fiddler, guitarist, singer, and dancer.
The Greater Midwest Pipe Band is the 2018 US Open Champion.

What are Ticket Prices?

Tickets start at $16 for adults and $16 for students and go up to $53 based on the seat location. The least expensive seats are at the back of the balcony and the front closest to the stage.

Here are some other helpful tips you should know as well:

1. The best deal comes when you don’t wait until the very last minute to order tickets. We never offer last minute discounts because we don’t want to undercut patrons who already purchased their seats. Whenever you see a concert you’d like to attend, you get the best seats by not waiting.

2. Another way to save is to buy a subscription. Currently subscriptions for all five concerts are available with great deals. Contact us at 269-963-1911 and we'd be more than happy to find a deal for you. 2023-2024 Ticket Order Form

3. If you’re a student on a budget, be sure to bring your student ID for great discounts.

What's on the program?

How Long is the Concert?

When Do I Clap?

Whenever you want! Seriously, the tradition of clapping only at the end of pieces was only for a short time in the history of music. Typically, people like to clap after a great solo in a jazz tune, an impressive dance move, or after a great movement (section) in a symphony. If you really like a piece, clap at the end of the movement and yell "encore" if you want to hear more. (we love playing encores!)

What Do I Wear?

More than anything, we want you to have fun and express your own style when you come to the Battle Creek Symphony, so dress in a way that works for you. Some people love dressing up and going out—if that’s you, do it and you won’t be the only one, we promise. If you prefer to be more casual, then you probably won’t be the only one dressed casually, either. In short, you do you, and we’re just glad you’re joining us.

Where Do I Park?

Meet the ArtistS

CILLIAN VALLELY, DAVID DOOCEY & ALAN MURRAY

This new trio act features a unique collaboration between 3 of the best-known names in traditional Irish music - Cillian Vallely on uilleann pipes, David Doocey from County Mayo on fiddle, and Alan Murray on guitar and vocals.

Armagh native Cillian Vallely has established his name over the last decade through his playing with award-winning, trad Irish supergroup Lunasa. Influenced by the rhythmic, flowing style of Paddy Keenan and Johnny Doran, Vallely’s mastery of chanter, drones and regulators has earned a reputation as one of the top players in the tradition. He has performed with acts as diverse as Bruce Springsteen, Riverdance, Natalie Merchant, Mary Chapin-Carpenter & Tim O Brien and performed at venues like The Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Paris Bercy and The Royal Albert Hall in London. He has also recorded on over 70 albums including seven with Lunasa, his acclaimed solo debut “The Raven’s Rock”, “Callan Bridge” with his brother Niall, “On Common Ground” with Kevin Crawford.

“Vallely ticks all the boxes when it comes to the checklist of traits needed to be considered a 21st century traditional music A-lister […] The Armagh man is a superb musician who not only has great technique and style but who has a deep understanding of the roots and emotions of the music he plays.” – Irish News

David Doocey from County Mayo is at the forefront of a younger generation of Irish musicians. He has won several awards for his outstanding fiddle playing including the All-Ireland Fleadh, the first ever World Fleadh fiddle championship in 2005 and the much-coveted Feile Oriel trophy. He has toured throughout Asia, Europe, America, Australia and New Zealand, performing on stage with Grada, Michael McGoldrick, Tim O’Brien, Martin Hayes, Dougie MacLean, Dermot Byrne and Sharon Shannon, and as regular guest with the Dave Munnelly Band and Sean & Dolores Keane. Late 2013 saw the release of David’s critically acclaimed first solo album “Changing Time”, described as

“A stunning debut album…” The Irish Music Magazine,“ . . . an exemplary debut recording . . . ” The Living Tradition.“

Guitarist, bouzouki player and singer Alan Murray hails from Glasgow, Scotland, where he grew up playing the whistle and later guitar. Eventually moving to United States, he has established himself as an in-demand performer and teacher on the Irish music scene. He has recorded and performed around the world with many of the finest traditional musicians and acts today, including Lunasa, Eileen Ivers, Scotland’s Battlefield Band, and FourWinds.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Sponsored By Summit Bay Private Wealth Advisors Daniel Graham

Sponsored By The Battle Creek Community Foundation

We'd Love to hear from you!

Phone: 269.963.1911

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE (COVID-19)

The Music Center is currently open and resuming all activities. We take the safety of our students and staff very seriously and follow the CDC and State of Michigan safety guidelines. While we understand some may wish to adhere to their own interpretation of protocols, you will be required you to comply with safety postings in our building in order to participate in our classes and lessons.