Eastman at Albion concert series returns on Sunday with ‘Celtic Celebration’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 March 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided Photo – Mitzie Collins (front, center) is pictured with members of the Striking Strings Dulcimer Ensemble, which will perform Sunday in Albion at the First Baptist Church.

ALBION – The Eastman at Albion concert series is back for its sixth season this Sunday with a “Celtic Celebration,” a performance featuring an assortment of musicians and Irish dancers.

Along with the well-known Mitzie Collins, the concert on Sunday at 3 p.m. will feature the Striking Strings Hammered Dulcimer Ensemble, and the Harmonious Harp Ensemble, directed by Roxanne Ziegler. The Drumcliffe School of Irish Dance will join the celebration, as well as popular Irish tenor Casey Costello.

“Mitzie always puts on a tremendous concert and brings something new,” said Diane Palmer, the concert series coordinator. “This year the dancers are new.”

They will perform at the First Baptist Church, which has a stage up front. This is the second time the Baptist Church is hosting one of the Eastman concerts. The series has included nearly 20 concerts, raising more than $20,000 with the proceeds going to scholarships for Albion students who pursue music and the performing arts in college.

In many of the concerts, Albion high schoolers have performed with the professional musicians in town for the concert.

The series features Rochester-area musicians, often affiliated with the Eastman Community Music School, paired with Albion’s architectural treasures – the historic churches at the Courthouse Square.

“The churches have been extremely gracious to have the community come in and enjoy a concert,” Palmer said.

The series this year will include the Sunday concert and a performance during the Christmas season.

“It has fulfilled a need in our community for higher-level musicians to perform,” Palmer said. “The concerts have really brought people together.”

Tickets are available online by visiting eastmanatalbion.com/ticket-sales, or at Bindings Bookstore, Bloom’s Flower Shop, or Fischer’s Newsroom in Albion; a lily and a sparrow in Medina; Roxy’s Music Store in Batavia.