While fans are looking forward to hearing the lilting melodies of Celtic Woman when the group comes to Pittsburgh, the members likewise are looking forward to the stop.
“We’ve been joining amazing orchestras all around the world, and the Pittsburgh Symphony is certainly one of them,” says violinist/harpist/vocalist Tara McNeill. “Heinz Hall is just stunning. We’re looking forward to being there.”
The concert, part of Celtic Woman’s “Best of Christmas Symphonic Tour,” will begin at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18. The program will feature songs from the group’s new album, “The Magic of Christmas.”
McNeill says the album’s 15 songs include “beautiful arrangements of some old, traditional songs and songs that are new to Celtic Woman, with luscious orchestration backed by an amazing choir.”
From the sprightly “Deck the Halls” and “Sleigh Ride” to the contemplative “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” the collection is a true celebration of the holiday season, she says. The group pays homage to its Irish roots in “Dia Do Bheatha” and “Amid the Falling Snow,” by fellow Irish songstress Enya, and to its interest in world music via “Feliz Navidad.”
Following the holiday tour, Celtic Woman will be back on the road in 2020 for a “Celebration” tour, marking the group’s 15th anniversary.
Signature sound
“Celtic Woman has been going strong for so many years, and this will be a celebration of everything that Celtic Woman has done,” McNeill says.
A showcase for the talent of young female Irish singers, the “group’s repertoire encompasses Irish classics, contemporary songs, classical favorites and stirring originals. The lineup of performers has evolved in the years since the group’s inception, but the signature sound of Celtic Woman has remained consistent, showcasing the members’ individual and collaborative talents,” according to its website.
Current members in addition to McNeill are vocalists Mairead Carlin, Eabha McMahon and Megan Walsh.
A native of Antrim, Northern Ireland, McNeill joined Celtic Woman in 2016. She previously toured as a violinist and singer with the Irish choral ensemble Anuna.
In 2015, she played the harp in the orchestra for the PBS special, “Celtic Woman: Destiny,” filmed in Dublin. The accompanying album was nominated for Best World Music Album at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, the first Grammy nomination for the group.
“It was my dream to be one of the principal performers, so when a place came open, I had to make sure I nailed that audition,” she says.
Love, loss, home
While the group has long been a favorite of U.S. and European audiences, its popularity continues to spread to audiences around the globe, McNeill says.
“Music is a universal language that can travel all across the world,” she says. “I think that’s especially true of Irish music. It’s all about storytelling — love, loss, home, traveling away and coming back, heartbreak. The melodies are so beautiful and that resonates with people everywhere.
“It’s a great honor to be part of this,” she says. “It’s amazing to see all the talent that’s come out of it, but there’s a responsibility to keep true to what Celtic Woman means in the style of playing and singing, but also to keep getting better, with arrangements becoming more modern and trying new things.”
