Even though Hillsdale is far from the Emerald Isle, acclaimed Irish band Goitse will bring the hills here.
On March 8, Goitse will perform in Markel Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.
“This is going to be a highlight of the year for people that enjoy Celtic music,” Professor and Music Department Chairman James Holleman said.
Goitse will be performing as a part of the Professional Artists Series. They were originally scheduled to perform at Hillsdale College in 2020.
The band began in 2007 when the members played at a charity event at the University of Limerick, in Ireland.
“Tadhg Ó Meachair and Áine McGeeney were both speaking in the Irish language,” said Colm Phelan, the band leader and bodhrán player.” “They shouted ‘Goitse!’ to Conal O’Kane and I, which we did not understand. Goitse means ‘come here’ in a dialect of Irish, and since then, the band name stuck.”
The bodhrán, Phelan’s instrument, is the Irish frame drum. The band members collectively play guitar, banjo, bouzouki, fiddle, piano, piano accordion, and vocals. The band combines traditional Irish music with original pieces.
“We love to research old tune types and Alan Ried, our banjo player, is particularly brilliant at researching tunes through old manuscripts and bringing them to life,” Phelan said.
The band spent a lot of time in Michigan in 2011, during their first American tour.
“We have been really attached to the state of Michigan and it feels like the closest thing to Ireland in America,” Phelan said. “We even named some of our music sets after experiences we have had in Michigan over the years.”
The band will play a variety of Irish music during their concert in Hillsdale.
“We love all types of Irish music, and really enjoy ballads too,” Phelan said. “Some of our favorite pieces to play are ‘Tall Tales’ and ‘My Belfast Love.’”
