Magical Strings Concert

Magical Strings is the Celtic harp and hammered dulcimer duo of Philip and Pam Boulding, from Seattle, Washington. The duo will perform in concert on Saturday, April 19, at 7:30 PM, at the Morgantown Church of the Brethren, 464 Virginia Avenue. Combining Celtic-roots with classical/world music influences and entertaining stories, their music has been described by the Washington Post as “warm, graceful, and sonically gorgeous.” Tickets are available in advance or at the door, $10 each, or 2 for $15. Children under 12 are free. On Sunday, April 20, from 1:30 to 4:30, Philip and Pam will offer workshops for local harpists and hammered dulcimer players, at the Wiles Hill Community Building, 287 Eureka Drive. Workshop fees are $25 in advance, or $30 at the door.

Please PREPAY TICKETS or WORKSHOP FEES with PAYPAL or call (304 599-8233) or email John Lozier.

In nearly three decades, the Bouldings have recorded 18 albums, and have toured all over the US and Canada, and as far away as Scotland, Ireland and Japan. Together, since 1979, they have operated the School of Magical Strings, and presented their annual Celtic Yuletide Concerts around the Northwest with their five musical children and many guest artists.

Harper Philip is also a harpmaker and poet. At this concert, in addition to Celtic harp, Philip will perform on pennywhistle and button accordian, and share a sonnet or two linked to his harp compositions. In his harp workshop he will demonstrate the three ancient Irish musical moods: joy, sorrow and repose. From there, he will delve into traditional dance tunes of Ireland, Scotland and Wales, showing various techniques of ornamentation and arrangement. Written music will be provided, but he encourages playing by ear.

Dulcimer-player Pam is also a painter, storyteller, and concertina player. With a joyous spirit and flaming red hair, her stories add warmth and liveliness to the concert performance. She is a mother of five, all musicians. She has devoted much effort to community-building and to school music programs, including lyre classes in local Waldorf schools. Her dulcimer workshop is for both beginners and experienced players. She will convey her uniquely expressive and dynamic style of playing with some simple exercises and traditional dance tunes.

Toward the end of the workshops, Philip and Pam will invite participants to combine harp and dulcimer in duets and ensembles.

Philip Boulding's heritage is strongly influenced by his parents, Kenneth and Elise Boulding. Both parents were well-known peace activists, quakers, and intellectuals. They endowed Philip with an enduring concern for the future and a respect for the power of artistic imagination. Philip began writing sonnets on the occasion of his parents' 50th wedding anniversary. This Eastern US tour celebrates the release of a new CD of Celtic harp originals, Musings, and also a new book of Philip's poetry, Whispers of the Muse-- Sonnets from Magic Hill. In his Sonnet for Reconciliation, on the occasion of September 11, 2001, he concludes:

It is of life a troubling mystery, that love must conquer hate relentlessly.

Magical Strings in Morgantown is sponsored by Harping for Harmony Foundation. In addition to concert and workshops, the Bouldings will visit Monongalia Friends Meeting (Quakers). For more information, contact John Lozier ... or Cindy Lewellen ....