Celtic Sounds Bridge State Lines in Big Stone Gap Concert

Over 60 professional musicians, most of whom work as teachers, will come together in Big Stone Gap this weekend for a concert inspired by Celtic music, which aims to combine heritage, skill, and local enthusiasm.

The Summer Concert of the Mountain Empire will be hosted at Union High School, showcasing a group of 58 musicians hailing from southwestern Virginia, northeastern Tennessee, and southeastern Kentucky. This yearly celebration, which occurs each July, offers both educational growth and an impactful musical presentation.

The annual event called "Highland Echoes" will feature musical pieces based on traditional Irish, Scottish, and English folk styles.

Dr. Donald Sorah, the creator, stated, "In recent years, we have implemented a program featuring locally developed music, meaning it has been created by individuals from our area, or those nearby. This year, the focus is on music from Ireland and Scotland, which shares strong ties with the Appalachian music found here."

The Winds seek to bring people together via powerful music narratives, providing an original cultural encounter that transcends regional boundaries.