Rant Maggie Rant joins forces with Stratford Symphony Orchestra for captivating Celtic concert January 19

From left to right: Glen Dias, Barry James Payne, Rob Larose and Lindsay Schindler.

Stratford, ON (January 7, 2013) – The “oh so talented” Rant Maggie Rant joins forces with the Stratford Symphony Orchestra for a performance of Celtic music on Saturday, January 19 at 7:30 pm at Knox Presbyterian Church in picturesque Stratford.

Led by guest conductor Nigel Evans, the concert includes collaborative works, solo works, traditional tunes “mischievously coloured outside the prescribed lines,” well-known favourites and several original compositions.

The musicians in the Stratford Symphony Orchestra – now in its eighth season – draws its talent from the communities of Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Stratford, St. Marys and Toronto.

Entitled A Celtic Rant, the concert will also feature the alluring vocals of Rant Maggie Rant’s Glen Dias and the sounds of the Stratford Police Pipes & Drums, well known for bringing tears to the eyes of patriotic Scots in an audience.

“Collaborating with a symphony orchestra is a favourite tradition of the band and we’ve previously performed with the Stratford Symphony Orchestra, Georgian Bay Symphony and The International Symphony Orchestra of Sarnia,” says Lindsay Schindler, who leads Rant Maggie Rant, and now resides in Cornerbrook, Newfoundland where she is immersed in the rich heritage of East Coast fiddling.

Based in Stratford, Ontario, Rant Maggie Rant showcases the talents of Lindsay Schindler (fiddle, background vocals), Glen Dias (lead vocals, recorders, percussion) and Barry James Payne (guitars, harmonica, background vocals) with special guests Rob Larose (percussion - drum kit, cajon, djembe, dumbek, congas, background vocals), Dave Nuttall (Irish whistles and wind instruments) and Steve Clarke (electric and upright bass). Biographical information at: www.rantmaggierant.com

Energetic, exciting and emotive, Rant Maggie Rant has been wowing audiences on the road for the past four years at festivals, concert halls and symphonic stages in Canada and the U.S. with their outstanding artistry and on-stage vibe.

The band made significant inroads on their 2012 touring schedule, performing in Windsor, Toronto, the Ottawa area and Montreal, as well as Victoria, Cowichan Bay and Quadra Island in British Columbia. The band also performed south of the border in Chicago and Saline and Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Although Celtic music resides in the fibres of the band’s heart, their music can’t be readily pinned down geographically. Creating lovely layers of sound with depth, the ensemble’s brand of global music is one of fusing the multicultural flavours of the seven Celtic nations of Ireland, Scotland, Cornwall, Wales, and the lesser known Isle of Mann, Galicia (Spain) and Brittany (France), with the savoury sounds from Quebec, the Ottawa Valley and Canada's Maritime Region.

A joyful melting pot of sound, Rant Maggie Rant is loved by traditionalists, who enjoy their time-honoured style, while new Celtic music listeners are drawn to the band's fusion of World influences of hand drumming and Latin, Middle Eastern and African rhythms.

The band has two CDs available: World’s Edge (2009) and Frost & Fire: A Celtic Christmas Celebration (2011).

JUST THE FACTS

Event: A Celtic Rant

Date: Saturday, January 19, 2012

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Location: Knox Presbyterian Church, 142 Ontario Street, Stratford

Admission: $35.00 adults, $20.00 students/seniors

Tickets: 519-271-0990 or online at www.stratfordsymphonyorchestra.ca

More information: www.rantmaggierant.com or www.stratfordsymphonyorchestra.ca

Testimonials

“RMR is a great band. They packed the house and the audience left dancing. I can't wait to have them back.” – Holmes Hooke, Hughs Room, Toronto, Ontario (Rant Maggie Rant returns to Hugh's Room for the third consecutive Saint Patrick's Day Celebration concert on Saturday, March 16, 2013. Reservations & tickets: 416-531-6604 or info@hughsroom.com)

“I can truly say that you were the surprise ‘WOW’ band this year – so much great feedback about your music.” – Sheila Graziano, Saline Celtic Festival, Saline, Michigan

“I am in awe of the complexity of their arrangements and overall tightness of the band. Delivered with panache and obvious enjoyment . . . they are thoroughly enjoyable.” – Bob Cunningham, Concert Reviewer, The Beat Magazine, London, ON

“We’ve added RMR’s Christmas record to our collection and have made it available for airplay known to all CBC music producers and programmers.” – Mark Rheaume, CBC Music Resources, Toronto, ON

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