banjo

Tag: banjo

World Music Series welcomes Gaelic Irish quintet Goitse

The multi-award winning quintet Goitse brings its distinctive sound of Irish traditional music to Lawrence University’s Harper Hall Monday, Feb. 26 as part of the university’s World Music Series.

Tickets for the 8 p.m. are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors/students and are available through the Lawrence Box Office, 920-832-6749.

Irish band Goitse
Goitse is James Harvey, Tadhg Ó Meachair, Áine McGeeney Colm Phelan and Conal O’Kane.

Known for the quality of their own compositions interspersed with traditional tunes from Ireland and abroad, Goitse was launched at Limerick University’s Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. Crowned Live Ireland’s “Traditional Group of the Year” in 2015, the band has since added Chicago Irish American News’ “Group of the Year” and Germany’s prestigious “Freiurger International Leiter award in 2016 to its resume.

The band consists of All-Ireland bodhrán champion Colm Phelan, South Philadelphia native guitarist Conal O’Kane, the sweet, charismatic voice and energetic fiddle playing of Áine McGeeney, award-winning banjo and mandolin virtuoso James Harvey and Dublin piano and piano accordionist Tadhg Ó Meachair, who bridges the gap between melody and accompaniment.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Traditional old-time music featured in Lawrence World Music Series

Baltimore-based father-son duo Ken and Brad Kolodner bring their virtuosity on the clawhammer banjo, fiddle and hammered dulcimer to Lawrence University Monday, Feb. 27 as part of the university’s World Music Series. The Kolodners will be joined by fiddler extraordinaire Rachel Eddy.

A photo of Lawrence University graduate Ken Kolodner and his son Brad with their instruments.
Brad and Ken Kolodnar ’76

Tickets for the performance at 8 p.m. in Harper Hall of the Music-Drama Center, at $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, are available through the Lawrence Box Office, 920-832-6749/

A 1976 Lawrence graduate, Ken Kolodner never played an instrument before taking up the fiddle at the age of 23. After Lawrence, he earned a Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University and began a career in public health as an epidemiologist. He evolved from full-time scientist to full-time musician, establishing himself as one of the country’s most influential old-time fiddlers and hammered dulcimer players. He began touring in 2009 with his son, Brad, a radio personality in Washington, D.C., where he hosts a progressive bluegrass, old-time and Americana show. Brad Kolodner is a rising star in the clawhammer banjo world.

Together they play new arrangements of original and traditional old-time music on instruments that include the gourd banjo, banjola, triple fiddles, hammered mbira, hammered dulcimer and others.

A West Virginia native, Eddy performs and teaches banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass. She recently spent five years in Sweden, where she taught Appalachian music and dance. She has released four albums, including 2014’s “Nothin’ But Corn.”

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.”  Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.