Celtic musicians hope to raise 'Pot of Gold' for student scholarships

Pellissippi State will host the St. Patrick's Day Pot of Gold Benefit Performance at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 14, in the Performing Arts Center. The performance will showcase the College's Celtic and Harp ensembles and will feature a guest performance by the Scottish duo Drops of Brandy. The event is free to the public, although donations to benefit student scholarship programs will be accepted.

Directed by Liz Farr, the Celtic Ensemble specializes in Irish and Scottish music played on violin, whistle, flute, boudran, bones, and guitar. The group will perform familiar songs such as “The Wearing of the Green,” “Limerick is Beautiful,” and “Farewell to Liverpool,” along with such cheerful dance tunes as “Garry Owen” and “The Star above the Garter.”

The Harp Ensemble, also directed by Farr, debuted this past fall. Comprising six female harpists, the ensemble will present a set of tunes by the Irish composer Turlough O'Carolan and a medley of Welsh tunes, including such favorites as “All through the Night” and “The Ashgrove.”

Drops of Brandy showcases the talents of Betsy Hooper and David Pickens. Hooper, Knoxville's premier Scottish fiddler, has been studying and playing the folk music of Scotland and Ireland for the past 20 years. She recently released “Scottish Violin Musings,” a recording that features several local musicians. With Hooper on the fiddle and Scottish smallpipes and Pickens on guitar and vocals, Drops of Brandy explores the range of the Scottish musical repertoire—from toe-tapping reels to heart-rending slow airs. The group's Pot of Gold performance will include “MacPherson's Rant.”

The St. Patrick's Day Pot of Gold Benefit Performance is sponsored jointly by the Support Staff Council and the Music Office. Proceeds will go to their scholarship funds. For more information, contact the event chairperson, Nancy Rasnake, at 539-7198 or nrasnake@pstcc.edu.

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