Celtic Music Rally

Celtic Music Rally!

Sunday, July 14th 11:45am-12:15pm on the main stage!

We want YOU to perform at the 28th Annual Skagit Valley Highland Games! This is an invitation to all musicians who like to play Scottish and Irish tunes. We will be holding a mass performance on Sunday, July 14th at 11:45am-12:15pm on the Main Stage and you are invited to participate! Imagine a huge group of acoustic instruments playing these tunes simultaneously amid the festivities of the Games; it’s going to be epic!

To be a part of it or to watch the performance you will need to have entered the gates of the Skagit Valley Highland Games which requires a ticket. If you aren’t already a volunteer or ticket-holder you can purchase one by clicking here or buy one at the gates day-of.

How to be part of it:

• Please have your own acoustic instrument that you can play melody or chords on (fiddle, mandolin, guitar, harp, flute, concertina, smallpipes, whistles, etc.) that you can bring with you (and transport easily).
• Learn the tunes on the set list and practice playing them (we won’t be doing music stands, so tunes will need to be memorized).
• Be backstage at 11:30am on Sunday, July 14th at the Skagit Valley Highland Games main stage and be ready to perform our set at 11:45am!

Performers will be standing, but if you need a chair to play your instrument (harp, smallpipes, etc.), please let us know in advance and we can help make that happen.

It’s just for fun! Don’t worry if you make a mistake, lose your spot, have to pause for a second and gather your thoughts. This is going to be a low-stress performance opportunity for all ages and abilities.

There is no dress code but you are very welcome to get festive! Kilts, plaid items, green, and all of that is very welcome, but your normal attire is fine, too.

Set List

• Britches Full of Stitches (3x)
• Hector the Hero (2x)
• Galway Belle (3x) –> Rattlin’ Bog (3x)
• Elliot Finn MacDonald (3x)

If you don’t know all of these tunes and don’t have time to learn them, don’t worry! You are welcome to play along on the tunes you know and sit out on the ones you don’t.

• Britches Full of Stitches is an Irish polka in the key of A Major. We will play it three times.
  Click here for sheet music for Britches Full of Stitches.
  Click here for a teaching video of Britches Full of Stitches.

• Hector the Hero is a beautiful Scottish Aire that we will play in the key of A Mixolydian two times through.
  Click here for a video/recording of Hector the Hero (you can play either octave at any time).
  Click here for sheet music for Hector the Hero (page 1).

• Galway Belle and Rattlin’ Bog will be played together as a set (no break in between). Galway Belle is an Irish polka in the key of E Dorian. After three times through that tune, we will transition to another Irish polka called Rattlin’ Bog in the key of D Major.
  Click here for sheet music for Galway Belle.
  Click here to listen to Rattlin’ Bog.
  Click here to see sheet music for Rattlin’ Bog.

• Our last tune will be a Scottish march called Elliot Finn MacDonald in the key of D major, written by Finlay MacDonald. We will play it three times. Click here for sheet music for Elliott Finn MacDonald.
  

Also, if you know someone who you think would enjoy being part of this project, please pass this email on to them and get them in on it, too! Feel free to reach out with any questions: Info@CelticArts.org

Hope you can be a part of it!!

Where is the Main Stage?
Just inside the North Gate. See map below!