Cormorant's Fancy performs Irish and Scottish traditional and contemporary folk music. Featuring their own arrangements with fine harmonies and multifaceted instrumentals blending concertina, penny whistles, low whistles, guitar, bass, and bodhran, Cormorant's Fancy has quickly established themselves as one of the finest Celtic bands in central Pennsylvania. Venues have characterized Cormorant's Fancy as "the area's most energetic and spellbinding Irish folk band." Their name is based on the original Gaelic meaning of Dan Diviney's surname.
November 2005 - What a beautiful concert you presented at the Music Gettysburg series. The musicianship of Cormorant's Fancy was absolutely outstanding. Whether you were doing a tender vocal or hard driving instrumental, the music was first rate. Plus it was filled with emotion and spirit, far beyond technical proficiency. This became obvious with the audience appreciation.... simply stated; the audience loved it. Great Concert, Great Music, Great Evening. You filled our cups. Thanks, Tom Jolin
(Note: Tom is a well known and respected local musician. He has performed for former Vice President Gore and for Garrison Keillor.)
September 2005 - Comments sent by another great Irish band in September 2005 - "Bill and I really enjoyed your band. Bill’s a trained professional live sound and recording engineer as well as a published choral music composer/arranger, and he was impressed with both your sound and the arranged nature of your music as opposed to the “jam session†feel that marks several other Celtic folk bands."
April 2005 - The ladies of (the once glorious) St. Joseph College, Emmitsburg, MD, class of 1965, were greatly appreciative of your super music during our class dinner. Since I have only been known to raise my voice in song once among my classmates (Four Green Fields), the ghosts of my Sligo/Leitrim ancestors... singers all... smile on your efforts. Slainte - Maureen from Georgia
March 2005 - You were just wonderful at the Wedding and afterward at the Fairfield Inn! The music was so special. Although we are five or six hours away, a group from my church is coming to visit friends later this Spring - and we will be coming on a Friday night to have dinner and hear you play! That was a highlight for me this past weekend. Please let me know when your new cd is ready for purchase. Blessings, as you share your joyful sounds, Paul from New Paltz, New York
August 2004 - My husband and I really enjoyed your performance. I am really impressed with the wealth of talent that comprises your group. Each of you has been blessed by the Lord with so much talent. You truly bring much joy to those who hear your music. I have shared our experience of listening to your music and singing with friends. It is my hope that I can one day be able to hear you again. God Bless You for the Joy You Bring Others!
Theresa from Connellsville, PA
Shortly after forming in the fall of 2003, Cormorant's Fancy began to perform regularly at The Fairfield Inn and continues to appear every 1st and 3rd Friday evening as well as other occasions, including the Christmas Season, New Year's Eve, St. Patrick's Day and Remembrance Day. The music on this CD, some of which was recorded live at the Fairfield Inn (tracks 1, 8 and 12), represents music typically performed there by Cormorant's Fancy.
The Fairfield Inn (thefairfieldinn.com) dating to 1757, is one of America's oldest, continuously operated inns. After the Battle of Gettysburg, the Confederate Army, retreating west through Fairfield, stopped to eat at the Inn. In its 248 years the Inn has hosted famous Americans such as Patrick Henry, Thaddeus Stevens, Generals Robert E. Lee and J.E.B. Stuart, and Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower. Joan and Sal Chandon, proprietors, perpetuate the Inn's gracious tradition.
Musicians on Cormorant's Fancy: An Evening at the Fairfield Inn:
Dan Diviney: whistles and bodhran (plays Seamus O'Kane and Albert Alfonso bodhran, Michael Copeland, Silkstone and Susato high whistles and Chieftain low whistles) Alayna, Dan's granddaughter: sound effects in the live recording on track 1
Beth Folkemer: guitar, shaker, lead and backup vocals (plays Oriskany guitar)
Joel Folkemer: acoustic bass, bodhran, shaker, backup vocals (plays Brendan White bodhran)
Meg Folkemer: pennywhistle, lead and backup vocals (plays Michael Copeland and Clark whistles)
Stephen Folkemer: concertina, keyboards, backup vocals (plays Hayden duet concertina)
Curtis Rockwell: guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, lead and backup vocals (plays and builds Oriskany guitars and bouzouki, www.oriskanyguitars.com)
Andy Rosenfeld: bones, tambourine, other percussion, lead and backup vocals
Norman Nunamaker: fiddle
The three Folkemers who are regular members of Cormorant's Fancy are from the same family--Joel and Margaret are Stephen and Beth's children.
The band has played in various other eateries and pubs. The group has been featured at the Adams County Irish Festival, Adams County Heritage Festival, Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts (State College), Fort Hunter Days, History Meets the Arts Weekend, Huntingdon Arts Festival, McLain Celtic Festival, Penn-Mar Irish Festival, and Summer's End Festival, as well as on several college campuses and at numerous private events. In addition, Cormorant's Fancy has performed in concert series including Mt. Gretna in the Park, Chambersburg Brown Bag Lunch Concerts, Music, Gettysburg! and others. Members have presented workshops at folk music events. Dan Diviney hosts traditional Irish sessions twice a month in Gettysburg, PA.
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