2VS Presents Tra le Gael Nov. 22

The Celtic Ensemble "Tra le Gael" will be performing in the Seeley-Swan schools on Nov. 18 and 19 and performing a community concert at Swan Valley School Sunday, Nov. 22 at 3 p.m.

Tra le Gael was founded in 1999 in the Flathead and currently consists of four performers. The ensemble includes: Barbara Calm who plays hammered dulcimer, octave mandolin, penny whistle and vocals; Katy Meyers performing on Celtic folk harp, tenor recorder and vocals; Ed Boggs on guitar, fiddle and vocals and Jason Foy performing on Irish flute, mandolin, Irish Bouzouki, percussion and vocals. Tra le Gael has performed their joyous music throughout Montana and the Northwest and have recorded several CDs of their music.

The term "Celtic" refers to a large group of peoples who once inhabited much of Europe. With the expansion of the Roman Empire approximately two thousand years ago, most of the Celts moved west. Today, we think of the people of Ireland, Scotland and Wales as the Celts. However, there are also still isolated Celtic regions on the European mainland especially in Southern France and northern Spain. Visitors might be surprised to hear bag pipes still being played in those areas.

In addition to the "Informances," assembly programs performed at the schools, Tra le Gael will also be doing workshops with both elementary and high school students, teaching Celtic music and performing it with the students. Wednesday, Nov. 18, Tra le Gael with be at Swan Valley School in the morning with an informance at 10:30 a.m. and at Seeley Lake Elementary in the afternoon with an informance at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19 the ensemble will be at Seeley-Swan High School doing workshops in the morning and an informance for the whole school at 10:45 a.m.

We hope you will be able to attend the community concert at Swan Valley School on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 3 p.m. but wanted you to be aware that the school performances are also taking place to which the public is invited.