Notes from Celtic Airs
with your host Steve Dieterich
May/June 2005

 ! The annual Spring Marathon was a great success as we met our goal of $70,000.00 after a single week of fundraising. The loyal and dedicated Celtic Airs audience pledged $7434 to this total. Thanks to all of you who accepted the responsibility to provide financial support for the alternative programming offered by WWUH radio.

 The Celtic Concert series continues to raise funds to defray our operating expenses. This permits us to "keep a lid on" the total we need to raise during our fundraisers. It's a very enjoyable way of "donating" money to WWUH. If you haven't ever attended one of our concerts, I urge you to give it a try in '05!

 The next concert in our series takes place June 4th when Teada will appear in the Wilde Auditorium at 7:30 PM. This will be their second appearance in the concert series. They were greeted by an appreciative sell out crowd back on 4/3/04. Teada have been proclaimed "one of the most exciting traditional groups to emerge in recent years." (Irish World Magazine). This Irish quintet was voted "Best Traditional Newcomers" by Irish Music Magazine. "A new fresh face in Irish music, Teada is a band to watch for." (The Irish Voice) Thus far they've released two acclaimed albums.

 The band originated in 2001 and their first concert appearance was as the opening act for the Sharon Shannon Band. By 2002, they had enough material to produce their first album. This self-titled release received critical acclaim: "Teada keep the traditional flag flying at full mast." (The Irish Times) "If there is a better new band on the Emerald Isle, they must be very, very good!" (Edinburgh Evening News)

 Teada, meaning "strings" in Irish, is appropriately led by fiddler Oisin MacDiarmada; "One of the most talented fiddlers in Ireland today."(Earle Hitchner/ Irish Echo) He was born in Co.Clare, but raised in Co. Sligo. Fiddle lessons commenced at age 6, and at 21, he claimed the All Ireland Senior fiddle championship title. Oisin has a degree in Music Education from Trinity College, Dublin and is a respected fiddle tutor and lecturer.

 Originally a quartet, the Teada lineup expanded to a quintet in 2003 with the addition of Paul Finn on button accordion. Paul is from Co. Laois and is one of the rising stars on his instrument in Irish traditional music.

 The other founding members of Teada included Sean McElwain, Tristan Rosenstock and John Blake. John was replaced by Damien Stenson in 2005. Sean, from Co. Monaghan, contributes energetic accompaniment on banjo, bouzouki and guitar. He also has a master's degree in Electronic Commerce and has designed websites for a number of well-known musicians. Tristan, from Glenageary, Co. Dublin, has been honing his skills on bodhran since age 10. He too, like Oisin, is a Trinity College graduate with a degree in Irish/ Ancient Irish. Twenty-six year old Damien Stewart, the band's newest member, was a contemporary of Oisin growing up in Sligo. He's know for his flowing style of play on flute and whistle and has previously recorded with Oisin on the latter's well received solo album, "Ar an Bhifidil."

 Teada's popularity and acclaim have grown since their first successful concert here. Those who enjoyed them on 4/3/04 will be back I'm sure. For the rest of you, here's a chance to see and hear what you've been missing when Teada return to the Wilde Auditorium Saturday June 4th at 7:30 PM.

 Tickets for all Celtic Airs/ WWUH benefit concerts are available through the University of Hartford box office, open 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Monday through Friday. Call 768-4228 or 1-800-274-8587. Their website is hartford.edu/hartt for ticket purchases 24-hours every day. Tickets go on sale two months before the date of a concert.

 Upcoming shows include Bohola 7/8, The Cottars 8/26, Old Blind Dogs 9/16, Grada 10/7, John Doyle & Liz Carroll 10/21 and Susan McKeown on 11/19. Thanks for supporting WWUH and the concert series. We appreciate your attendance and encourage those who've never been to one of our concerts to give it a try. I think you'll find it a rewarding experience. Celtic Airs is heard Tuesdays 6:00- 9:00 AM on WWUH, 91.3 FM

Copyright © WWUH: May/June Program Guide, 2005