Everything you need to know about the Celtic-themed Macon holiday concert
Traditional Celtic harpist Sue Richards joins guitarists Steve Baughman and Robin Bullock this year for Acoustic Productions’ 16th annual Celtic-themed Macon holiday concert.
With the addition of Richards, the concert is being called “Celtic Christmas Trio” and is Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Wesleyan College’s Pierce Chapel.
Baughman has said because he and Bullock are primarily Celtic guitarists, the songs selected and style played fit that theme. However, not all songs are strictly Irish or Scottish but reach to wider Christmas traditions.
Baughman and Bullock agree that “magic happens” when their guitars combine in duo and say they expect greater musical magic with Robinson. Bullock and Richards both live in western North Carolina and already have a short history of playing and recording together.
“We’re going to see what happens when we blend all three instruments together playing Christmas carols and traditional Celtic tunes,” Bullock said. “The sound of Steve and myself on two guitars is already so rich, adding Sue and her harp promises to be something quite wonderful and otherworldly – heavenly you might almost say. We are really, really excited about it and about playing in such a beautiful, inspiring setting as Pierce Chapel all decked out for the holidays.”
Richards, who began playing the harp at 11, is a classically trained pedal harpist having studied at famed Oberlin College and Ohio State University.
“I made the jump from classical to Celtic harp largely due to the rising popularity of folk music in the ‘60s and ‘70s,” Richards said. “Playing folk and Celtic music with people at large and small gatherings and in pub-like settings was a lot more fun than practicing classical works all by myself. Those were the days so many folksingers became popular and the group the Chieftains rose to fame with a whole revival of Irish music. I was really taken with the music, made the switch from classical and never looked back. I don’t regret it one bit.”
Besides the musical difference between classical and Celtic music, there’s a difference between harps used, including about a 50-pound difference.
“Celtic harps are smaller than classical pedal harps,” she said. “Among other differences, classical harps cover an octave above and below Celtic harps with about 50 to 60 strings compared to my Celtic’s 34. And yes, my Celtic harp weighs about 18 pounds versus the 70 to 80 pounds a classical harp probably weights.”
Richards agrees with Bullock and Baughman the trio of instruments will create something special.
“Oh, you know all those glissandos on harp (upward or downward runs between notes) is a beautiful thing and so much of the good Christmas music has a harp somewhere in there,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the Macon concert and the multi-city tour that has grown around it. It’s exciting thinking about playing with Robin and Steve and the interesting arrangements we’re putting together. During the evening, we’ll perform as a trio, of course, but there will also be duet and solo moments, just as there have been in years past.”
Joe Cullison’s Acoustic Productions brings the holiday concert to Macon each December along with events throughout the year. Cullison said the charm of the Christmas event is not only the music but the often humorous interchange between musicians.
Concert Information
“Celtic Christmas Trio”
Where: Pierce Chapel, Wesleyan College, 4760 Forsyth Rd.
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec 3
Cost: $25 Adults, $15 Wesleyan students and children 12 and under
Information: www.acousticproductions.com
Contact Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.