Memorial Concert to Feature Celtic Music with THE FOUNDING

COLDWATER – With their modern take on the traditional Irish/Scottish Celtic sound, The Founding will be the featured band at this year’s Smith Memorial Concert at the Tibbits Opera House September 15 at 7pm.

Diane Smith Pridgeon, organizer of the concert, explains, “The Ruth, Robert, Douglas, and Dean Smith Memorial Benefit Concert celebrates families. The concert began in 2001 to remember the lives of our family members who died tragically in a plane crash. Many in Branch County helped our family through great loss. As a response to that love and to honor their lives, this evening gives thanks to Branch County and at the same time supports a charity.  The concert is an event all can enjoy; proceeds are given to the charity selected.  This evening celebrates life, love, and God’s gift of music.  As this year’s charity, Tommy’s House, gives hope to one woman at a time, the concert impacts one charity at a time.”

Pridgeon chose The Founding, a Progressive Celtic band from Kalamazoo, Michigan, for the concert this year.  With their unique, energetic, and powerful approach to songwriting, they strive to constantly push the boundaries of the Irish and Scottish music traditions. Over the past two years The Founding has become one of the premier acts in their genre in Michigan and promises to be one of the best of its kind.

This young band has performed at venues throughout the Midwest, making appearances at the Michigan Irish Music Festival, the Sparta Celtic Festival, the Kalamazoo Irish Festival, and many more. Their discography includes Form, To a City, Fair, and the single “Silhouettes Against the Soil.” Their recordings have been featured on NPR affiliates WMUK Kalamazoo and WUTC Chattanooga, as well as Michigan Irish Music Cafe, Sounds Like Ireland, and The Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. Members of the The Founding are John Robey on fiddle, Patrick Hartson on guitar/cello, Elizabeth Schubkegel on flute/vocals, Joel Myers on fiddle/mandolin, Kyle Pitcher on bass/vocals, and Lukas Stanley on piano/cajon.

Tickets for this performance are $10. For tickets or more information, go online to Tibbits.org, to the Tibbits offices on 93 W. Chicago St. in Coldwater 9-5 Mon. through Fri., or by phone at 517.278.6029. All events are held at the historic Tibbits Opera House, 14 S. Hanchett Street, Coldwater.

With their modern take on the traditional Irish/Scottish Celtic sound, The Founding will be the featured band at this year’s Smith Memorial Concert at the Tibbits Opera House September 15 at 7pm, with proceeds of the concert benefiting Tommy’s House of Coldwater.