The Coleraine Celtic Set was arranged for the Buffalo Suzuki Strings Tour to Ireland in 2000.

The set starts out with a jig entitled Coleraine. This tune is actually British and is in A Aeolian. It beginnings with a dramatic introduction and then builds up with first one, then two violin parts and then subsequent additions of strings all playing separate parts. In total there are 4 violin parts, 2 viola parts and one cello part. The set must be supplemented by chordal accompaniment on guitar, piano or bass. The chords are written in the score.

The first Reel of the set following the jig is entitled Paddy Ryan's Dream. This is an old tune with the first known recording by Michael Coleman in 1921.

The next reel is entitled Crowley's which is an Irish session staple which I learned in Ithaca, NY at the weekly traditional Irish session.

The third reel gives the melody over to the cellos and the violas. They are entitled to some fun with the Wilseyville Septic System. This was a tune I wrote especially for the commission while sitting on my back porch in Wilseyville inhaling lovely septic vapors.

The final tune is entitled Glass of Beer which is also a session staple in the key of B minor. The first known recording of this tune is in 1979 by the Chieftains, though it is likely the tune is older than that.

I have gone to great lengths to incorporate the traditional Irish embellishments and bowings in this arrangement. I have also attempted to make some of the tunes slightly different each time through, varying the embellishments or melodies as the tunes are repeated and in the B section particularly of Paddy Ryan's Dream. This is to preserve the spontaneity of traditional Irish fiddling, as a tune is often embellished or varied slightly each time through the tune or on repeated sections of tunes by the masters of Celtic Fiddling.
I hope you enjoy this arrangement. It is lively and fun!!!!