What comes to mind first with the words Scottish music? Bagpipes of course. You will
hear that hauntingly beautiful sound when NM Tech’s Performing Arts Series brings Breabach to Macey Center on Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 pm.
Preceding the concert by Breabach, 6-7:30pm, will be an art reception for the SAQA
(Studio Art Quilt Associates of NM) exhibit entitled: Telephone Tag: Perception & Interpretation, with over 45 artists on display from October 6 to December 19
Breabach is ranked as one of Scotland’s most skilled and imaginative contemporary-folk
acts, Breabach is also at the forefront of the burgeoning traditional music scene. The
band has been together for 20 years, garnering numerous awards and critical acclaim.
“We are very excited to make our first trip out to New Mexico and Arizona – should
be a lot of fun!” said Calum MacCrimmon, who plays a Great Highland Bagpipe. Conal
McDonagh also plays the bagpipes. “It is unique to have two sets of highland pipes,”
said Calum. “This allows us to play in harmony which is a really incredible color
for the arrangements.”
Breabach is a Gaelic word meaning “to kick,” often used in the context of Scottish
bagpiping to describe playing music energetically. The name reflects the band’s lively
and dynamic approach to traditional Scottish music.
Along with playing fiddle and singing, Megan Henderson is featured doing the Scottish
step dance. “Scottish Step dancing originated as a ‘close to the floor’ shuffle dance
that would have been done in houses across the Western Isles back in the day,” explained
Calum. “The shuffles got more ‘tappy’ as years passed and it is now flourishing in
Scotland and Cape Breton.”
“Megan views stepdance as a unique percussive instrument,” continued Calum. “The shoes
are light and she has replaced them several times over the years mainly because her
feet are so fast that they go on fire!,” he kidded.
A willingness to push the boundaries of Scottish roots music along with a love of
experimentation are core values of the band over the past two decades. They have embraced
and pioneered many cross-genre collaborations, linking up with artists including most
recently the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. Along with eight critically acclaimed
studio releases and extensive touring schedule they have won numerous awards including
six BBC ALBA Traditional Music Awards.
They regularly tour the United Kingdom and go to Europe a couple times a year, Calum
said. “We recently played Baltoppen in Denmark which was a beautiful theatre. We also
had the great honor of playing the Royal Albert Hall as part of the Grand Ole Opry
Live in London. It was a full house and the Country musicians were inspiring to perform
alongside.”
“Breabach at their best – respectful of traditional roots while stamping their own
authority on it, and true to the story enshrined in the animation. A superb collaboration,”
says The Living Tradition, a non-profit organization in California.
Ticket prices run from $8 to $22. The PAS show is sponsored in part by NRAO-AUI (National
Radio Astronomy Observatory, Associated Universities, Inc.), Jon Morrison, KUNM radio,
The NM Tech Student Government Assoc., New Mexico Arts and the National Endowment
for the Arts. For tickets and more information call 575-835-5688 or visit www.nmt.edu/pas.