Sue Tillotson (left) and Jim Cunningham (right), the two members of the celtic music group Water Horse. Submitted photo

Water Horse will bring a special performance to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Friday at 7 p.m.

The performance will bring back a traditional music celebration, commemorating the celtic traditions and culture. The duo is often hailed as being the “Celtic standard bearers of Chautauqua County”. The group, containing Sue Tillotson and Jim Cunningham, frequently performs at numerous significant events all throughout the community. These include the Jamestown Regional Celtic Festival, the Ligionier Highland games and the Fredonia Free For All. Now the group will be returning to the church once again to continue spreading their music to a wider audience. The group’s combination of voice, violin, penny whistle, and stringed instruments including acoustic guitar, bouzouki, and cittern will be a warm way to welcome the church members into the warmer months.

“Music comforts and connects,” says Karen Hewes Suber, director of music and community arts integration at St. Luke’s, “and providing diverse experiences in the space of the church gives people an opportunity to find their own sense of meaning and beauty. I’m so excited to experience Water Horse’s music and our acoustic wonderland. I believe it will be a truly healing experience for listeners of all ages.”

Suber said celtic music often was the base for the music that would be adapted into hymn traditions. Due to this, Water Horse will be performing a couple of hymn melodies with celtic origins, with Suber accompanying the two on piano. Musical performances will include Star of the County Down and Wild Mountain Thyme. These tunes will be initially performed in the original celtic style before the hymn version is played, which will invite guests to join in and sing along.

The concert is free for anybody that wishes to attend, with the church accepting any donations that attendees are willing to give at the performance. For more information contact 716-483-640, or email karen.suber@stlukesjamestown.org.