Prospectus

The Shamrock Ceili Band originated from musical evenings organized by Michael Ben-Israel with his friends and colleagues in the music world of Haifa, amateur and professional alike. They played mostly Irish and Scottish traditional folk music (two of the six branches of Celtic folk music: Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Manx, Cornish and Breton). This informal group also provided entertainment for various parties and celebrations amongst themselves. Guests at these events often expressed their pleasure in the music and the standard of musicianship, and wondered why they did not hear Celtic music more frequently (i.e., on radio or television programmes).

It seemed then, that there was a gap in the ethnic folk music scene in Israel. If there were musical ensembles devoted exclusively to Greek, Arabic, Turkish and South American music (among others), then why not a group devoted to Irish and Scottish music? Judging by the audience's response to Michael's then nameless ensemble. Irish and Scottish music were worth promoting in Israel.

In June 1989 Michael was invited to bring his group to play at the Beer-Sheva International Music Festival. The ensemble was the a trio, and performed under the title of "Michael Ben-Israel and his Orchestra" (for want of a better name). The response was favourable, especially as this was the first time that this particular audience had heard Irish and Scottish music. From this event, Michael and his now expanding ensemble were asked to give other concerts. The decision was made to become semi-professional.

A name for the group was now essential.

Shamrocks are a species of clover particular to, and found only, in Ireland. Along with the harp (as on the president's flag), it has long been a national emblem. Ceili [céilídh] (pronounced kay-lee) is the Gaelic name for traditional Celtic folk music (see below). Since the group plays predominantly Irish folk music, it seemed most fitting to call the ensemble "The Shamrock Ceili Band".

To raise our presentation somewhat above that of the usual folk group level, a costume for performance was adopted. Because green is the colour of the shamrock and appears on the Irish national flag, so green is the colour of the Shamrock Ceili Band. Green shirts and white trousers or skirts add visual coherence to the ensemble.

Ceili bands have existed in Ireland and Scotland for centuries. The word is derived from the "Fleadhanna Cheoil", which in Gaelic means "music festival". Thus a Ceili band is one that plays at music festivals, or more generally, makes music for festive occasions. Modern Ceili bands first gained popularity as dance bands, bringing traditional Celtic dance music (played on the traditional instruments) to contemporary dance halls. From this beginning their repertoire expanded to include all forms of traditional and contemporary Celtic folk music. This then is the background that gave rise to the Shamrock Ceili Band.

Our own repertoire is collected from diverse sources. First and foremost is the traditional dance music mentioned above: "folk" dances such as reels, jigs, and hornpipes; court dances such as polkas, mazurkas, waltzes, and set dances. The repertoire of Celtic song is very rich and varied, and spans the gamut of human emotion. The songs reflect the economic, political and social (including religious) conditions of Ireland and Scotland from Mediaeval times to the modern day, and include work songs, roving songs, military songs, love songs, humorous songs, lullabies and other children's songs, and ballads of all sorts. Ireland in particular is well known for its great drinking songs, nostalgic emigrant songs, and patriotic songs of rebellion.

Celtic harp music is another and most special source of our repertoire. The harp has always held a high place in Irish music, and bridges the gap between "classical" and "folk" traditions in Celtic music. This is especially true in the work of Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738), Ireland's best known and greatest of the itinerant harpers. O'Carolan was also much influenced by the Italian composers of his day such as Vivaldi, Corelli, and Geminiani, the latter of whom was a personal friend. Thus his music, though distinctively Irish, has yet an international flavour, and an originality and freshness all his own. O'Carolan's compositions remain as popular today, throughout the entire spectrum of Irish society, as in his own day. Other popular harpers/composers are Rory Dall O'Cathain (d. 1653), Miles O'Reilly (b. 1635), Thomas Connelan (b. 1640), Arthur O'Neill (18th century) and David Murphy, a contemporary (and rival!) of Turlough O'Carolan.

In the history of all bands, turnover of players is frequent. The Shamrock Ceili Band is no exception, and our instrumentation and musical arrangements vary accordingly. Our permanent instrumentation includes authentic traditional Celtic instruments such as the bodhrán (Irish bass drum), snare drum and tim-whistles; popular modern folk instruments such as 12-string guitar and 5-string banjo, together with classical ancient woodwinds and a wide range of traditional and modern percussion.

We have been joined by guest performers on other traditional Celtic instruments such as fiddle, harp, Irish low whistles, Uilleann pipes and Scottish Highland bagpipes. The harp has a special place in Celtic music in general and Irish music in particular, and our group has included, at various times, the clairseach (Celtic harp), lap-harp (a smaller version of the clairseach) and modern concert harp. In addition, we have been joined by performers playing tenor (plectrum) banjo, mandola and mandolin, flute, double bass, mountain dulcimer, harmonica and other instruments of the contemporary folk scene. Our musical arrangements are therefore quite diverse, and always original.

Most of the players with the Shamrock Ceili Band are of a classical music background, and have high standard of musical education. Thus while the music played is authentically traditional folk music it is presented in the classical chamber music idiom.

Adaptability of the programming and versatility of the performers is a key note of the Shamrock Ceili Band. Whether the setting is an open-air music festival, a concert hall, a school or home for the elderly, the intimacy of a pub, or a private party, the Shamrock Ceili Band is right at home, with a selection of the repertoire arranged to suit each particular audience and occasion.