16 Jan - 2 Feb 2025

Schools concerts

We’re pleased to announce that we have 4 school concerts featuring some of the fantastic artists appearing at this year’s Celtic Connections Festival.

Three concerts will be suitable for all P4 – S6 pupils, and our opening concert is for nursery to P3 pupils. This year’s programme features performers from Scotland, Acadia and Quebec.

Please click here to complete the application form. You can apply for more than 1 concert and there is no limit to the number of seats you ask for, but you must complete 1 application for each concert.

Completed application forms can be emailed to amcv@glasgowlife.org.uk

Enquiries should be emailed to schoolinfo@glasgowlife.org.ukplease do not email enquiries to the email address for applications.

Tuesday 23rd January

  • HEISK
  • Celine Donoghue & Neil Sturgeon
  • Nursery – P3
  • 11:00 – 12:10

HEISK, the vibrant and captivating six-piece folk band, redefine the traditional music landscape by infusing Scottish roots with contemporary energy. United by a resolute mission to amplify the voices of women and gender minorities in the traditional music scene, HEISK's journey is an inspiring narrative of musical excellence, diversity, and empowerment.

Their debut, self-titled, album serves as testament to their vision. A collaboration with a diverse ensemble of exceptionally talented women.

The funky folk band is made up of Becca Skeoch on electro harp, Catriona Hawksworth on keys, Lauren Macdonald on kit, Megan MacDonald on accordion, Isla Callister on fiddle and Sally Simpson on fiddle.

https://www.heisk.co.uk/

Celine Donoghue has been involved with the Celtic Connections Learning Programme for quite a few years now, delivering workshops and presenting our Community Ceilidh Concerts. She’s joined today by her long-term collaborator, guitarist and singer, Neil Sturgeon, together they’ll have you singing along, and clapping your hands to a lively set of tunes and songs.

https://www.facebook.com/CelineDonoghue21/?locale=en_GB

 

Monday 29th January

  • Skerryvore
  • Rachel Hair & Ron Jappy
  • P4 – S6
  • 11:00 – 12:20

Three-time winners of Scotland’s “Live Act of the Year” award, Skerryvore return to Celtic Connections energised by the release of their 7th studio album, Tempus.

With a heady mix of bagpipes, fiddles, accordions, and whistles, not to mention soaring guitar, crisp vocals, and driving bass, drums, and keys, the band represent the best in contemporary Scottish traditional music. From their early days in Scottish West Coast halls and bars, to festival crowds in the USA, Canada, Australia and throughout the UK and Europe, Skerryvore’s wide range of influences and talent produce a musically expansive, immersive yet intimate set that excites and captivates audiences.

https://skerryvore.com/home/

Take the oldest Scottish instrument, the clarsach (harp), and the newest addition to the traditional music arsenal, the guitar, and throw them in the musical blender of Glasgow and out comes Rachel Hair and Ron Jappy. Superb instrumentalists with a shared passion for traditional tunes, they perform as if sharing one mind. Rachel is also one of the fantastic musicians who deliver our workshop programme in Glasgow.

https://www.rachelhair.com/

 

Wednesday 31st January

  • Beauxmont
  • Kaitlin Ross
  • P4 – S6
  • 11:00 – 12:20

Beauxmont are 100% made in Acadia (Canada), mixing traditional Acadia, Louisiana and maritime

sounds, creating music for large stages and kitchen parties. They aim to carry on the traditions of past Acadian musicians by bringing spirit and dancing to all generations. They’ve been likened to the swampy sounds of the bayou and they definitely give a nod to their southern cousins.

https://www.beauxmontband.com/

Singer Kaitlin Ross was born and brought up in the Highlands, in Fearn. She has, through her involvement in Gaelic song and music, performed nationally and internationally. It’s a pleasure to welcome her to the Celtic Connections Festival school concerts.

 

Thursday 1st February

  • Genticorum
  • St Roch’s Ceili Band
  • P4 – S6
  • 11:00 – 12:20

With impeccable musicianship and an infectious joie de vivre, Genticorum are amongst the most distinctive voices in traditional Québécois music, seamlessly melding fiddle, flute, accordion, guitar, foot percussion and voices. Recipients of four Canadian Folk Music Awards, and with Juno and ADISQ nominations, the trio are one of Quebec’s leading traditional groups, having carved a formidable presence amongst the international traditional, folk and Celtic music scenes over the last 20 years. Known for their boundless energy and stage presence, but also for refined and precisely executed arrangements, they have performed nearly 2,000 concerts in 20 countries, and at countless festivals around the world. 

https://www.genticorum.com/english

 The fabulous St Roch’s Céilí Band will open the concert. Formed over 40 years ago by Frank McArdle as a lunchtime club in a Royston secondary school, this organisation is now responsible for teaching traditional music to hundreds of children across Glasgow. Representatives from the 15-18 age group will have you tapping your feet, clapping your hands and maybe even singing along to a traditional song!

https://en-gb.facebook.com/strochsceiliband/