Celtic Journey
Consonare Community & Youth Choirs, Voices of Concinnity, and special guest, The Jolly Beggars
Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 7:00 PM - VENUE CHANGE:
Concert Hall at Eastern CT University in the Fine Arts Complex, 306 High St., Willimantic (parking map below)
Take a journey with us as we explore how music can travel through time and across oceans, yet still retain its essence and offer a link to the past.
“Celtic Journey” will feature performances of songs from the Celtic tradition by Voices of Concinnity (CT's versatile professional vocal chamber ensemble), Consonare Community Choir, Consonare Youth Choirs, and special guest, The Jolly Beggars.
Admission is $10 | Students/children are free
Limited tickets will be available at the door--reserve your seat now
DIGITAL PROGRAM
click on program below for a pdf
TEXT & TRANSLATIONS
use the side arrows to navigate through each song - all photos under copyright 2025
Prophetarum Presignata
Composed by Michael McGlynn
From The Dublin Proper (14th century)
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Latin Text:
​Prophetarum presignata virgo vaticinio
Super celos exaltata mater es a filio
O benedicta circumamicta varietate
Te veneratur quem imitatur angelis amica Virginum pudica concio stella pudicicie beata Virgo plena gaudio
​
English Translation:
Prophesised Virgin foretold of the prophets
Mother, you are exalted over the heavens by your Son.
O blessed one, clothed in colours,
You are venerated, by Him who the angels imitate.
Chaste assembly of virgins, blessed star of modesty Virgin full of joy.
​
Program Notes:
The Dublin Troper is a manuscript c. 1360 that contains written script as well as music notation The Dublin Troper was produced in the 14th century to be used for liturgical observance in the Catholic Church. In the earlier Middle Ages, the Celtic Rite was most prominent in Ireland. In 1186 however, under Anglo-Norman influence, it was decided Sarum use should be adopted in Dublin.
The Dublin Troper is an example of Sarum use in Ireland and one of the few surviving sources containing notated music. It was intended to be used on a daily basis, so the musical pieces follow the order of the liturgy. It contains Irish as well as English influences and some from mainland Europe. - Source
This concert was funded with support from the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts, which also receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
PROGRAM ADS
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What to Expect Attending this Concert
Who is performing?
Three of Consonare's ensembles will be performing in this wonderful concert: Consonare Community Choir, our mixed choir open to all singers in the community, Consonare Youth Choirs, our program for youth ages 6-16, and Voices of Concinnity is our award-winning professional vocal chamber ensemble (learn more about Concinnity here). Our special guest, The Jolly Beggars, is a musical group that bring the rich tradition of Celtic folk music and storytelling to modern day audiences. Based out of Connecticut, their traditional songs and musical arrangements have exposed many to the joys of Celtic music.
What is this concert about?
We are inviting the audience to take a journey with us as we explore how music can travel through time and across oceans, yet still retain its essence and offer a link to the past. We will be performing music from the Celtic tradition, which includes songs the originated from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, as well as from parts of Canada and the U.S. Some of these songs are very old and serve as a sung account of a rich history carried down through generations and even across oceans to new lands. This concert exhibits how music has been a vital part our daily lives for centuries, whether to pass down stories to future generations, express our views to others, accompany a ritural dance, or relish in a good cry. This concert is bound to move you.
What style of music will I expect to hear?
All of the music has originated from a Celtic tradition. Some of the songs will be sung in the English with others in Scots Gaelic and Irish languages. We will perform some choral arrangements of well-known melodies, such as "Loch Lomond" from Scotland and "Danny Boy" from Ireland. Our concert will also include lullabies from Wales and Ireland, as well as a 14th-century chant melodies and folks songs by Irish composers (Charles Villiers Stanford and Michael McGlynn). There will be beautiful laments composed in the 18th-19th century by Alicia Ann Scott and Jane Finlayson. And compelling stories of historical events sung by our youth choirs. The concert is a balanced offering of contemplative and vibrant melodies. READ OUR GUIDE ON MUSIC WTIH CELTIC ORIGINS
Will there be a concert program to understand the music performed?
Yes, there will be a printed program that lists the order of the songs being performed. There will also be a digital program (available on this very page on concert day) that will have all of the lyrics and translations of the songs listed so you can follow along on your phone during the performance.
Since this concert is considered "classical music," are there guidelines for the audience?
While this concert is considered classical music, our audience members are invited to wear clothing that is comfortable, clap where they feel moved to do so, and use their cell phone during the performance to access the digital program available online on this webpage. Everyone is welcome. The only thing we ask is that all electronic devices are silenced so the music can be enjoyed as it is intended.
Parking for the event and accessibility to the building
This concert has been moved to the Concert Hall at Eastern CT State University in the Fine Arts Complex, which is located in Williamntic. Parking is available in the parking garages with ADA parking open in the parking lots in additional to a drop off circle directly in front of the Fine Arts Complex. Please refer to this map.
