Ceol Binn - Sweet Music

We are so very fortunate here in my city to have so many wonderful cultural events in the historic downtown district through the summer. There are seven scheduled concerts every week from early June until Labour Day - and they're all FREE!! Concerts take place outdoors in Officers' Square, at the Guard House, on the Lighthouse Deck and also at the Main Street Commons on the north side. As well there is a Summer Recital Series at the Cathedral.  There is also free
Summer Theatre daily, and a free outdoor Classic Movie Series on Sunday evenings. Something for everyone! How lucky are we?!!
I try to get to at least several of the concerts each summer; this past Tuesday night Kathleen Gorey-McSorley and Carolyn Holyoke put on a fine show of Celtic music under the stately elms in front of the Museum in Officers' Square. Kathleen is one of Fredericton's up and coming young musical stars. Also sharing the stage on Tuesday evening for a few numbers, direct from Ireland, was Eoghan Mac An Ghaill.
At only 17, Kathleen already has an impressive list of international performances across Canada, the U.S., Scotland and Ireland. Among her many accomplishments, a couple of highlights are competing at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ireland in 2008 and again in 2010, and the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championships in Ottawa in both 2009 and 2010. She has also appeared twice in concert with Ashley MacIsaac.

Kathleen has released two CD's, the second “Ceol Binn” (Irish for "Sweet Music") was nominated for

an ECMA (East Coast Music Award, for those of you who are "not from these parts") as well as two Music New Brunswick nominations. Last summer she returned to Ireland to travel and perform, and she will be returning to Ireland in a few weeks to begin her post-secondary studies.
Besides the fiddle Kathleen plays piano, mandolin, banjo, tin whistle and has begun to add vocals to her act. She is also an award winning Irish dancer, does a little Cape Breton step dancing and plays in the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra. Kathleen is accompanied by pianist Carolyn Holyoke, also an accomplished musician of great talent. Kathleen and Carolyn performed in the Nova Scotia Royal Military Tattoo in Halifax earlier this summer. You can read about that here.
Kathleen is one of a number of very talented young Frederictonians to quickly rise to musical success. She joins Measha Breuggergosman, Derrick Paul Miller, Amber Bishop, Patrick Maubert, Kristen Pottle, Maureen Batt and Keith Hallett, to name a few; I think
this speaks very highly of the dedication of our School District administration to keeping music a priority in the curriculum, and music teachers such as Carolyn Holyoke, Maureen Steeves, Sylbie Roy, Krista Touesnard, and Don Bosse among many others, who give so much to their students. There are many strong music programs in this city and so many opportunities for children and youth to participate. We are fortunate indeed! So Congrats to Kathleen and best wishes for continued success! We are all proud of you! And thanks for a wonderful concert!

Peace,
Linda

"Without music, life is a journey through a desert."
~ Pat Conroy