The 46th Alma Highland Festival will kick off with world class Celtic Entertainment. We are excited announce The Rogues and the 78th Fraser Highlanders, both new this year, and pleased to have The Chelsea House Orchestra returning. More entertainment news will be posted as additional events become available.

The Rogues
Saturday and Sunday

"ONE OF THE TOP CELTIC MUSIC ACTS TODAY!" -- CELTIC MUSIC MAGAZINE

Voted #1 Celtic Band in the World The Rogues  have performed for over 1 million people.  In 2010 they won Album and Group of the Year and headlined in Las Vegas at the Monte Carlo.  In 2011 the US Navy flew them to Guantanamo Bay to perform for the troops and their music appeared in the Christopher Walken film, "Kill the Irishman".  For 2012 they have been asked to perform in England and at the Tropicana in Atlantic City.  And in 2013 they have been asked to tour Australia.  The Rogues have released 9 albums, boast 7 combined World Pipe Band Championships, and have appeared with the US Air Force Symphony Orchestra.  For nearly two decades the performances of this CeltRock Folk Classical group have electrified audiences on two continents.  The ROGUES have added to their ever-growing family of fans -- affectionately known as the Rogue Army -- at music festivals, theaters, Highland Games, renaissance festivals, clubs, pubs, and corporate events -- anywhere that presents top-quality, high-energy music. This has even included regular rotation on satellite radio. Their hard won road successes have established them as artists with bona fide international acclaim. Renowned for their musical skill, quick wit, and engaging stage show The Rogues have mastered the art of creating an immediate connection with their audiences. The Rogues are fast becoming a household name with music lovers around the world, loved by young and old of all backgrounds.

 Join The Rogues in the Entertainment Tent Saturday and Sunday!
www.therogues.us

Chelsea House Orchestra
Times TBA
Chelsea House Orchestra is our very special guest Saturday and Sunday afternoon. 2012 marks the fifteenth year at the Alma Highland Festival and we like to think we helped start their most successful career. Alma was the first venue for the newly formed group and since then they have exploded on the Celtic entertainment scene. Chelsea House Orchestra is made of over 30 young musicians performing on violins, violas, cellos, basses, guitars, flutes, oboes, bodhrans, dhembes and harp.They will amaze you with their fiddling skills as the energy level of their performance reaches fever pitch. You will watch in awe as this high school student group displays their musical talents on stage. They have become a tradition here at Alma and we hope you join us Saturday and Sunday for this vibrant performance. A special thank you to Dr. Thomas & Alice Haverbush for sponsoring CHO!
www.chelseahouseorchestra.org

 

Benjamin Dunham
Bodhran Workshop:
Times TBA

We are excited to offer our guests the opportunity to learn the bodhran. Benjamin Dunham will offer workshops Saturday and Sunday in the Lower Level of Hamilton Commons and we hope you take the opportunity to experience this soulful instrument. Space is limited so please stop by and sign up.

Benjamin Dunham has been playing percussion for over 21 years, and the bodhran for the past 6 years. Benjamin was a competition snare drummer, winning 4th in the nation with his percussion ensemble at the RCA dome (1993) and multiple awards at local and school competitions. He has studied with various respected teachers in competition marching snare, concert snare, traditional Scottish snare drumming, and bodhran. He was drawn into the Irish/Scottish music scene beginning with his involvement of playing drums with pipes bands. In 2004 he joined Cyril Scott Pipes and Drums with whom he played Scottish snare drum with and began teaching competition and Scottish snare drums to students of various ages. During his involvement with the pipe band he journeyed deeper into Celtic music playing bodhran with the band Mad Maudlin and local folk groups. Currently his harp company, Dunham Harps, is very involved with the Irish and Scottish music arena. The harps that he has built are played by the members of the Dunham Harps Ensemble, current National Scottish Harp Society of America National Champions for the 2nd year, and by The Dunham Family Band of which Benjamin is the bodhran player for both.

In 2001 Benjamin and his wife Candyce started their own harp company building custom crafted lever harps. Dunham Harps has recently emerged as one of the sound standards in lever harp production, providing high quality harps with an outstanding sound. In addition to harps, Benjamin is now proud to also offer custom bodhran tippers to a wide range of performers.

Mother Grove
Friday and Saturday (Entertainment Tent)

Mother Grove has become major a force on the Celtic music scene. Energetic and powerful with an on-stage chemistry that makes you feel right at home, the band seamlessly blends well crafted original songs with traditional Scottish and Irish instruments such as Highland Bagpipes, Pennywhistle, and Fiddle to create a sound described as 'KILT ROCK'. With lyrics that can be insightful, witty, and often just plain fun, and music that ranges from soaring ballads to raucous pub tunes and 'Kilt Rock-ed' traditional songs, there is something for everyone in Mother Grove's high energy performance.

Candyce Dunham

Our special guest, Candyce Dunham specializes in teaching any person interested in the harp how to play and have fun doing it. This workshop is especially designed for adults and children of all levels. You will learn some history of the instrument, have a Q and A about the harp, and get to play some Scottish tunes. For those who are new to the harp this is an opportunity to try out and learn about a very unique instrument with a qualified instructor.  Those with harp experience are invited to join in and learn some new tunes and techniques. Come and explore the ancient tradition of the Scottish Harp that is enjoying a widespread resurgence in today's culture.  The workshops are open to all and free of charge. Please stop by Candyce’s  vending area next to Hamilton Commons and sign up. Space is limited. 

Candyce Dunham began her musical career at the age of four in Suzuki piano and Suzuki harp. She was accepted into the Bowling Green State University Harp Program at only age 8 to study with the world renowned harpist Ruth Inglefield.  She has won many accolades including Grand Champion of the American Harp Society competition, finalist of the American String Teachers National competition, a scholarship from the Suzuki Association of the Americas  to study teaching, and was awarded with a full scholarship to the prestigious Eastman School of Music which she attended for Harp Performance.

In 2002 she won the MetLife Award for Excellence in teaching.  She has created harp programs for the Summer Music Festival (Kingston, ONT), The Central College Harp Choir (Westerville, OH) was the director for the Swans Island Music Program (Swans Island, ME) and currently her own harp program, The Dunham Harps Ensemble (Westerville, OH). She currently teaches private Suzuki, Traditional, and Celtic lessons for pedal and lever harp, harp ensemble classes, and harp workshops.  In addition to these on-going commitments, Candyce also teaches seasonal workshops for The Dublin Irish Festival (OH), Dayton Celtic Festival (OH), Kansas City Irish Festival (MO), Taste of Scotland Festival (NC), Williamsburg Scottish Festival (VA).