Musical brothers in concert
Fundraiser Saturday will help family get to Ireland for study and competition
Photos
“All of their hard work is paying off. Now they have a chance to receive the distinction of winning among the best.”
Dylan McDonald
FRANKLIN — The musical McDonald brothers of Franklin — James, Daniel and Joseph — would like nothing more than to “Fly to the Fleadh.” The three young musicians — ages 14, 13 and 10 — each recently placed in the top two in the Mid-Atlantic Fleadh, that's Gaelic for festival, held in Parsippany. As a result, they have qualified to compete in the All-Ireland Fleadh from Aug. 12 to 19, according to their proud father, Dylan McDonald.
James took home second place honors in the under 15 fiddle competition. Daniel took second in the under 15 tin whistle and James earned the top spot in the under 12 men’s singing category.
That's not all. Daniel also took third in guitar, James got third in the tin whistle and the trio took home third-place honors in the ceili, or party, band competition.
The second-place instrumentalists each received a scholarship to study traditional Irish music at a special school in Ireland the week before the competition, their father said. Each child was competing in his solo event for the second time and in the group event for the first, he added.
“Music is a pretty big part of our family life,” McDonald said, adding that the entire family is proud that the three boys will be able to compete on that grand stage together.
Hear them perform
To help the family with the cost of their airfare, passports and accommodations in Ireland, they recorded a CD, titled “The Trip to Athlone.” The CD is available for download or mail order through the family’s Web site at www.mcdonaldfamilysingers.com. The cost is $10 for an online download and $15 for a CD copy.
The trio will also be performing live at the Franklin branch library on Friday, July 20 at 2 p.m., where the CD’s will be available for sale. “Its great family music,” McDonald said. “We hope a lot of people will come out and enjoy it.”
To reach their goal of $4,000 for the trip, McDonald says the family hopes to sell 250 CD's. As of now, they are just over halfway there.
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