WGBH presents A Christmas Celtic Sojourn with Brian O’Donovan

Date: December 18, 2018

Brian O’Donovan’s A Celtic Sojourn has entertained and enlightened radio audiences since 1986. For the last 15 years, the Christmas-time live version of the show has drawn on Celtic, Pagan and Christian traditions to celebrate the music of the season. First launched in 2003, A Christmas Celtic Sojourn reflects the compelling and diverse offerings of the weekly and national radio programs. A Christmas Celtic Sojourn is artistically directed by Paula Plum for the 16th straight year.

About the music: Music director and multi-instrumentalist, Seamus Egan returns, as well as assistant music director singer/pianist/harpist Maeve Gilchrist. Long-time collaborators Ben Wittman and Chico Huff return with percussion and bass respectively. Owen Marshall makes his second appearance on Guitar/Bouzouki/Harmonium. And Christmas would not be the same without the cello gravitas of Natalie Haas. Making their debut on this year’s program will be concertina player extraordinaire, Brenda Castles from Co. Meath in Ireland, and the outstanding folk string quartet, The Fretless from Canada.

About the singers: Young Scottish phenom, Hannah Rarity will be the featured singer this year. Rarity was named Young Scottish Traditional Musician of the Year by BBC in February and announced Glasgow’s Celtic Connections Festival. Her new CD will be released in September. The four-part vocal harmony group Windborne also returns this year. These wonderful voices, combined with host Brian O’Donovan, his wife Lindsay, Gilchrist and Castles, will bring particularly strong harmony singing to this year’s show, along with individual performances throughout.

About the dancing: Kevin Doyle returns as dance director for 2018. Doyle received a National Fellowship from the N.E.A in 2012 and has regularly performed with A Christmas Celtic Sojourn. The kids from The Harney Academy of Irish Dance from Walpole will return with their special brand of Christmas joy, as well.

More musicians to be announced, and then there are the surprises. There are always surprises at Christmas!

Tickets are $45, $54 and $62 depending on seat locations. Discounts are available for members, groups of 10 or more, children and students. Please contact the box office at 877.571.SHOW (7469) for more information.