Celtic Woman added to IU Auditorium line-up

While Bloomington weather is getting chilly, IU students will get a chance to experience the warm, energizing music of an ensemble that has been named the No. 1 Top World Music Artist by Billboard magazine.

Celtic Woman, a musical group composed of five female vocalists and a fiddler, will be at the IU Auditorium on Sunday, Nov. 8, as part of their “Isle of Hope” tour.

IU Auditorium Director Doug Booher said the group’s agent contacted the Auditorium
because Celtic Woman was going to be touring the Midwest. He said fall is a great time to add in another phenomenal attraction to the performance lineup.

“They are incredibly talented performers,” Booher said. “They have sold so many tickets, CDs and DVDs and in the last four years have performed for over 300,000 people.”

Booher said Celtic Woman has had a lot of success from being aired on PBS in the past.

He said the group will sing a variety of songs, including traditional favorites such as “Danny Boy,” pop songs such as “Fields of Gold” and other contemporary hits.

Booher said he encourages anybody who has an interest in Irish culture to attend the show.

“The show appeals to everyone,” Booher said. “Such a wide-ranging audience pulls in people from every age group. We expect to see a lot of families, and we hope a lot of students will come and check it out.”

IU students and Bloomington locals will be able to watch a program called “Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey,” airing from 8 to 10 p.m. today with an additional showing at 8 p.m. Sunday, both on WTIU Channel 5.

The program will include previously taped footage from several Celtic Woman concerts.
Eva Zogorski, membership director for WTIU, said as part of its summer membership campaign, WTIU is giving away prizes to viewers who call the station and pledge a certain donation amount.

“One opportunity we have is to offer center orchestra seats for members who pledge at the $200 level,” Zogorski said.  

She added that members who pledge $365 or more will get the chance to win passes for a backstage meet-and-greet with the members of Celtic Woman at the IU Auditorium concert.

“We get a great response from our viewers, and this is our special way of thanking them,” Zogorski said. “We only have 10 prize packages, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.”

Constance Cook Glen, coordinator of the Music in General Studies Program, said the Celtic Woman concert will be perfect for a young adult audience because college students have a lot of energy, and that’s what Celtic music is all about.

“World music is something from an ethnic background,” Glen said. “Celtic fiddling has lot of really fast notes. It’s dance-inspired, active and upbeat. It’s great to listen to.”