Southern Delaware enjoys Celtic to Classical performances

Southern Delaware audiences were treated to two weeks of live performances by Sheridan Seyfried's Celtic to Classical ensemble, Aug. 7-16. The group took its programs, "Baroque to Bluegrass" and "Songs and Dances" (featuring cellist Jonah Kim) to local churches, including Georgetown Presbyterian, Epworth United Methodist, St. Martha's Episcopal in Bethany Beach, Avenue United Methodist in Milford and the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist in Milton. The ensemble was warmly received each night, and played to packed houses. In lieu of an admission charge, the ensemble accepted a free-will offering donation.

The ensemble consists mostly of young professional musicians who met studying at the Curtis Institute of Music in the 1990s and 2000s. Though their training is in classical music, they approach a wide variety of styles in their programs, this year including film music, bluegrass, Celtic, original music by Sheridan, tango, blues, baroque and parlor ballads.

The 2018 ensemble consisted of violinists Dennis Kim and Alexis Meschter, cellist Jonah Kim, pianist Sean Kennard, pianist-flutist Ya-Jhu Yang and violinist-pianist Sheridan Seyfried, the producer of the series. The ensemble is working to issue a CD of 2018 concert highlights, but in the mean time will post occasional videos to its YouTube channel, such as the one included here. Go to celtictoclassical.com for more information. The ensemble wishes to thank Gary and Betty Grunder, Peter and Joanne Harrigan, Dennis Forney and Steve Seyfried for their help this season.