HSO Presents "An Irish New Year's Eve"

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra presents its annual New Year’s Eve Concert on Saturday, December 31, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the VBC Concert Hall. This festive concert features amazing Irish fiddler Eileen Ivers of Riverdance fame. She will be joined by her eclectic band Immigrant Soul. Together with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, led by guest conductor Bill Grimes, Ms. Ivers will present a sizzling fusion of Irish, Latin and American music, creating the most unique New Year's Eve celebration in town.

The Washington Post says Eileen Ivers “suggests the future of the Celtic Fiddle.” The New York Times calls her “the Jimi Hendrix of the violin.” And Billboard Magazine calls her “a sensation.” With her star musical turn in Riverdance, her thirty-plus medals in the All-Ireland Championships and her collaborations with such diverse artists and ensembles as Paula Cole, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, the Boston Pops Orchestra and Paddy Maloney, Eileen Ivers has established herself as the pre-eminent exponent of the Irish fiddle in the world today. Her band Immigrant Soul blends Irish traditions with the rhythms of African, Latin and American music. True to the soul of Irish music, HSO's New Year's Eve celebration with Eileen Ivers encompasses the rich multiculturalism of American life.

Joseph McLellan of The Washington Postwrites, "...Ivers plays two violins, a standard acoustic one and another that is electrified. She may be the world's fastest fiddler, and she used this skill effectively, but she also is a versatile musician, at home in a variety of idioms and alert to the links between the popular music of Ireland and America. ...Still, Irish music is Ivers's specialty and she performs it with panache, solo or in ensemble, in the spotlight or in accompaniment."

Under the direction of Bill Grimes, the orchestra is featured in the energetic John Williams filmscore music from Far and Away, a film about Irish Immigrants, and other traditional favorites from the British Isles. Tickets may be purchased by phone at 539-4818, in person at the HSO Offices and online at www.hso.org. Tickets may also be purchased the night of the concert at the Concert Hall beginning at 6:15 p.m. Single ticket prices range from $27 to $58, with student and group rates available, and there is a $5.00 student rush beginning at 7:20 p.m.

Symphony Pops packages are also available. The two-concert package includes the New Year’s Eve Concert and a Beatles' Tribute with Classical Mystery Tour on Saturday, May 13, 2006. Package prices range start at $36 for the two-concert package. Students are half-price.

ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES

Eileen Ivers, Irish Fiddler

Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul, Nine Time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, London Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony at The Kennedy Center, Boston Pops, musical star of Riverdance, The Chieftains, Hall and Oates, Afrocelts, Patti Smith, Paula Cole, founding member of Cherish the Ladies, performances for Presidents and Royalty worldwide … this is a short list of accomplishments, headliners, tours and affiliations.

Fiddler Eileen Ivers has established herself as the pre-eminent exponent of the Irish fiddle in the world today. It is a rare and select grade of spectacular artists whose work is so boldly imaginative and clearly virtuosic that it alters the medium. It has been said that the task of respectfully exploring the traditions and progression of the Celtic fiddle is quite literally on Eileen Ivers’ shoulders. The Washington Post states, “She suggests the future of the Celtic fiddle.”

The daughter of Irish immigrants, Eileen Ivers grew up in the culturally diverse neighborhood of the Bronx, New York. Rooted in Irish traditional music since the age of eight, Eileen proceeded to win nine All-Ireland fiddle championships, a tenth on tenor banjo and over 30 championship medals, making her one of the most awarded persons ever to compete in these prestigious competitions. The intrigue of learning more about the multicultural sounds of her Irish-American childhood eventually took hold. After graduating magna cum laude in mathematics from Iona College and while continuing her postgraduate work, Eileen fully immersed herself in the different genres of music that she experienced growing up in New York.

In 1999 Eileen created a touring production to present this music, which developed into Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul. A mix of African and Latin percussion and bass, Irish instrumentalists, and American soulful vocals, the group headlines major performing arts centers, guest stars with numerous symphonies, performs at major festivals worldwide and has appeared on national and international television. Eileen has also shared the stage with two of the world’s most celebrated violinists, classical virtuoso Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and jazz great Regina Carter, in the critically acclaimed “Fiddlers Three.” This show continues to fascinate symphony audiences throughout the U.S.

Ivers’ recording credits include over 80 contemporary and traditional albums and numerous movie scores. Her latest CD, entitled Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul, continues to display why Ivers is hailed as one of the great innovators and pioneers in the Celtic and World music genres.

ZETA Music, the world’s leading electric stringed instrument maker, has recently introduced the Eileen Ivers Signature Series blue violin.

William Grimes, Guest Conductor

A familiar face to HSO Pops audiences, guest conductor William Grimes is also a composer, arranger, jazz bassist, and teacher. As a conductor of Pops Orchestras, he has worked with such artists as Doc Severinson, Judy Collins, Charlie Daniels, and Monica Mancini along with such orchestras as the Tulsa Philharmonic, Louisiana Philharmonic and the Minnesota Orchestra. His arrangements and compositions have been performed in this country and in Europe as well as featured on Evening at Pops. Grimes recently completed a recording project in the Czeck Republic with the Janacek Philharmonic featuring the music of George Gershwin. His latest jazz recording is entitled Standards, Volume 1, with the Grimes-Robinson quartet. Currently, Grimes is Professor of Music at the School of Music at LSU in Baton Rouge. Grimes holds the Bachelor of Music degree from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and the Masters and Doctorate from the prestigious Eastman School of Music.

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