Dear Strand Fan, 
 
"Strand Theatre patrons will be in the holiday spirit on Sunday while enjoying Celtic Christmas music by a Michigan-based group, The Founding.

The six-member group will perform at 3 p.m. at the local theatre, 215 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville.

General admission is $25 and premium seating costs $35. Tickets can be bought in advance at Shelbyville Paint, Flooring and More, 235 E. Broadway St. in Shelbyville, and online at https://strandtheatreshelbyville.showare.com, or at the door the day of the concert.

“Celtic Christmas performed at the Strand in the past,” David Finkel of the Strand said. “It was one of the finest concerts we have ever presented. This is a real treat for the community to hear this caliber of music right here in downtown Shelbyville. We would appreciate your support and all you need to do is come enjoy the concert.”

The group formed in 2015 while they were students in the Western Michigan University School of Music. The six performed in the symphony orchestra, Joel Myers, a mandolin and fiddle player in the group said.

Myers has a background in Celtic music and decided he wanted to form a group in college. So he picked the best players he could find and the group became The Founding.

One member, bassist Kyle Pitcher, is unable to perform on Sunday and will be replaced by Torstein Johansen.

Celtic music has a lot of elements to it that can seem very simple, Myers said.

“A lot of that is because the complexity is on a very small scale,” he said. “I find that really interesting. For what we prioritize with the Christmas tour, Celtic music is really community-focused. It’s not a presentational art form. It’s all about bringing people together.”

With that in mind, The Founding will be playing a variety of original Christmas music as well as old classics like “Greensleeves.” There will be singalongs with the lyrics displayed for patrons to have the opportunity to participate.

Myers said Celtic music is traditionally played in meeting houses and pubs where the stage is on the floor.

“We really like to bring that communal element to our stage performance,” he said.

The group features John Robey on fiddle and vocals, Lukas Stanley on keys, percussion and viola, Patrick Hartson on guitar and cello and Elizabeth June, an “incredible lead vocalist” who also plays flute, Myers said.

Myers was in need of a lead vocalist when he put the group together when he asked.

“She was kind of a Hail Mary, maybe this girl will want to join,” he said. “I don’t know why she said yes. She did and we’ve been running ever since.”

This is the busiest time of the year for The Founding but they enjoy it, particularly when they meet with students in schools at workshops.

“That’s what it’s all about,” he said. “We love meeting people.”