Marina Bravo
Arts Editor
The Spirit of Ireland enchanted the Morgan Auditorium and brought the country across the pond to the guests in their seats.
At 3 p.m. on Sunday the auditorium welcomed University of La Verne students and faculty, and La Verne community members to take their seats on this journey through the shamrock fields.
The green lighting and the chugging of guitars ripped through the auditorium for their first song, “Swallow Tail Jig.” It set the tone for the performance with its energy and delivery.
The ULV tradition had guests completely immersed in its spirit.
“My first time seeing [Spirit of Ireland..] was last year,” senior music major, Alexander Gomez said. “The atmosphere is what made me really want to come back. I’m new to Irish music but having gone last year, the passion of the music and storytelling made it so enjoyable.”
The Spirit of Ireland was a 22 song musical and dance performance, with about 250 people in attendance; presented by the University of La Verne’s Music Department and Professor of Music Michael Ryan.
Ryan was accompanied by Ken Soderlund on vocals, guitar and mandolin; Hai Muradian on vocals, flute and penny whistle; Danny Oberbeck on vocals and guitar; his son Dylan Oberbeck on mandolin and vocals; university alumnus Julian Johnson on vocals and stand-up bass; and university alumnas and vocalists, Kitty Sycz and Annie Johnson.
The band brought all kinds of traditional Irish and new Irish songs to the stage. Some told stories and yearned for the Ireland of long ago. Many of these emotional arrangements included, “Caledonia,” “Both Sides the Tweed” and “Head Over Heels.”
“My favorite part had to have been when Hai sings his solo in ‘Head Over Heels,’” Gomez said. “I heard that song last year, I was just waiting to hear it again this year.”
“Both Sides the Tweed,” was presented to the audience as a message that reflects the current state of the world. Ryan expressed that it only felt right to play this song to such a large audience.
“Even if we have differences we really need to get together,” Ryan said. “Whether the love for our country, love for our people, we need to come together. That’s really what the song is about. Bringing everyone and everything together.”
“Both Sides the Tweed,” is a song by James Hogg that advocates for unity. The River Tweed is the bordering river that touches Scotland and England. It was a call for peace, for both countries to come together harmoniously.
Ryan expressed that now more so than ever that peace and unity is what this country needs.
Oberbeck moved the show with his original song, “Bottom of a Guinness.” The song featured Ryan on guitar and backing vocals; Soderlund on backing vocals and guitar; and Oberbeck’s son on mandolin.
The energy continued with Muradian’s unforgettable performance. Muradian portrayed various characters and sang many songs during the show. At some point Muradian’s portrayal of Tim in the song “Tim Finnegan” landed him on the floor as the character was thought to have died.
Muradian then rose from the dead and stunned the audience.
“I sang Frank Sinatra when I was 5-years-old in front of my kindergarten class,” Muradian said. “I just love being on stage. My wife used to say all I needed was one person and I was ready to entertain.”
The concert also featured many different soloists. Including dancers from the San Dimas Tamora School of Irish Dance.
Sycz gave moving vocals throughout the performance. She has been singing since she could remember.
“I have so much fun being on stage being a part of something like this,” Sycz said. “Sometimes it’s really hard to keep from smiling.”
This yearly performance is so important not only to community members but to the performers as well. Ryan prides himself in all his performances but the Spirit of Ireland especially holds a place in his heart.
“It would be something so hard to live without,” Sycz said. “I feel really fortunate to have the opportunity to relive that magic every time we’re here at The Morgan.”
“We love the music,” Muradian said. “It’s so fun. I’m always smiling even when it doesn’t seem like I am on stage, I’m still smiling inside. It’s magical watching everything on stage.”
Marina Bravo can be reached at marina.bravo@laverne.edu.
Marina Bravo is a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations. She is arts editor and a staff photographer for the Campus Times, and has previously served as a staff writer and photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. She enjoys going to live shows and everything spooky.
Vicente Rodriguez is a senior photography major with a marketing minor and a staff photographer for the Campus Times. He has previously served as photography editor of the Campus Times and a staff photographer for La Verne Magazine.
