A Celtic Celebration

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Greystones • Waving to Muireann • Dinny Donegal

Braveheart (End Credits) • The Allenvale Medley

The Millhouse • Wild Atlantic • The Old Grove

Salvation Contradiction

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CFMA 2024 Nominee

Traditional Album of the Year

A CELTIC CELEBRATION: The Bookends with The SSO

Every year, the Stratford Symphony Orchestra embraces Celtic culture by inviting talented artists to collaborate with the orchestra in an evening of musical celebration. In June 2022, The Bookends capped off the SSO’s 17th Season sharing their positive musical energy in a sold-out show that lifted spirits when it was most needed, resulting in this memorable recording that brings together the Cceltic and Symphonic musical traditions.

“When the Stratford Symphony Orchestra first approached us about joining them for their annual Celtic celebration concert we were equal parts thrilled and terrified. Thankfully, with the help of gifted arranger Ben Bolt-Martin, our original compositions and arrangements were translated into the lush pieces you hear on this record along with solo performances by both the band and orchestra. It was an experience we will never forget, as the talented musicians of the SSO lifted our tunes and us to new heights that night much to the delight of the audience.”

– The Bookends

“The Bookends play from their hearts. Their warm personalities and musicality fill the room. Whether a rehearsal or a concert they elevate the gathering with their heartfelt and uplifting tunes. They have great arrangements and consistently keep the audience tapping their feet!"

– William Rowson, Principal Conductor & Musical Director, SSO

Special thanks to our children for putting up with us practicing so much and letting their parents have some fun!

Thanks to Ben Bolt-Martin for his incredible orchestral arrangements of our music, Bill Rowson and everyone in the SSO, and Craig Thompson. Thanks to our special guest Romano Di Nillo on bodhran.

The Bookend’s performed as special guests of the Stratford Symphony Orchestra for their annual Celtic Celebration concert. Featuring Ben Bolt Martin’s unique orchestral arrangements of The Bookends own tune sets as well as original compositions. Recorded LIVE on June 11th, 2022 at The Avondale, Stratford ON

Mixed, Edited & Produced by Pete Watson, TrewStudio (Stratford)

Recorded by Jeff Wolpert, Desert Fish Studios (Toronto)

Mastered by Rob Nation, EMAC Recording Studios (London)

Live Sound by John Hazen, assisted by Ethan McCarroll

Package design by Punch & Judy Inc.

Cover: The Dancing Stevedores (c.1900), Jack B. Yeats (Bridgeman Images)

The Bookends photo by Aidan Shipley. Concert photo by Ballinran Entertainment

SSO Administrative Director: Chris Sharpe

SSO Stage Manager: David Spence

Live Video for StageView TV by Ballinran Entertainment

Venue Lighting by Stephen Degenstein

This recording was made possible with funding from Ontario Arts Council. We’re so thankful for the support!

Greystones

Composed by Cait Watson

Arranged by Cait & Pete Watson

Arranged for orchestra by Ben Bolt-Martin

Performed by The Bookends & Stratford Symphony Orchestra

Waving to Murieann

Humours of Trim (trad.) / Muireann’s Jig (N.Vallely)

Arranged by The Bookends

Performed by The Bookends

Dinny Donegal

Dinny Delaney’s Jig (D. Delaney - trad.) / Donegal Lasses (B. Finnegan)

Arranged by Errol Fischer & Pete Watson

Performed by The Bookends

Braveheart (End Credits)

Composed by James Horner

Arranged by Christopher Meyer

Performed by Stratford Symphony Orchestra

The Allenvale Medley

The Rosebud of Allenvale (J. Scott Skinner - trad.) / The Deil’s Lockie (James MacIntosh - trad.) / Angus Ronald Beaton’s Strathspey (Donald Angus Beaton) / Brenda Stubbert's Reel (Jerry Holland) / New Bob Reel (trad.)

Arranged for orchestra by Scott MacMillan

Performed by The Bookends & Stratford Symphony Orchestra

The Millhouse

Composed by John Martin

Arranged by The Bookends

Performed by The Bookends

Wild Atlantic

The Mist Covered Mountains (trad.) / The Rolling Waves (trad.)

Arranged by The Bookends

Performed by The Bookends

The Old Grove

Composed by Errol Fischer

Arranged by The Bookends

Arranged for orchestra by Ben Bolt-Martin

Performed by The Bookends & Stratford Symphony Orchestra

Salvation Contradiction

The Salvation Reel (Simon Bradley) / The Contradiction Reel (trad.)

Arranged by The Bookends

Arranged for orchestra by Ben Bolt-Martin

Performed by The Bookends & Stratford Symphony Orchestra

Special Guest Romano Di Nillo (Bodhran)

Principal Conductor & Music Director William Rowson

Performers of the Stratford Symphony Orchestra

Violin 1

Allene Chomyn**

Ji Won Baxter

Tyler Brown

Anita Buttemer

Kaitlynn Cook

Rosemary Kropf

Esteban Vargas

Violin 2

Kenneth Kwan*

Hallie Ashman

Christy Benedict

Serena Erb

Elizabeth Fraser

Barry Schneider

Viola

Paul Earle*

Janice Boich

Jennifer Canning

Kirby Julian

John Sanderson

Cello

Nguyn*

Gwendolyn Smith

Joan Bidell

Brenda McLeod

Dylan Murphy

Chris Sharpe

Bass

Luc Michaud*

George Grier

Barb Julian

Flute

Liesel Deppe*

Ingrid Crozman

Oboe

Sarah Cardwell*

Margaret Hancox

Clarinet

Kaye Royer*

Christine McLean

Bassoon

Simion Ciobanu*

Heather Carruthers

French Horn

Tony Snyder*

Patrick King

Dylon Pastoor

Randi Patterson

Trumpet

Julie Vaughan*

Stephanie Scott

Trombone

Susan Follows*

Susan Lee

John Monkhouse

Tuba

Al Carter*

Percussion

John Goddard*

Max Lindsay

Cassandra Wolff

Harp

Kathleen Gahagan*

** Concertmaster

* Principal player

(All other players in alphabetical order)