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A Celtic Note to Christmas

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It’s not often that a Christmas present leads to a new career.

Ten years ago, reading specialist Dennis Doyle’s wife gave him an Irish harp. He’s been plucking his way through tours and festivals ever since.

The gift of the harp was inspired when Doyle “got kind of turned on to the old Irish music of (Turlough) O’Carolan,” he said. The music of O’Carolan, 1670-1738, reflected a growing British influence in Irish culture, with hints of the British preference for Italian music, such as that by Corelli and Vivaldi. “He was kind of a fusion musician,” Doyle said.

Doyle, an associate professor of reading education at Glendale Community College, tours during the summer and school holidays. He’ll be in concert in Connecticut this Christmas.

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On Saturday, Doyle will be joined by the Browne Sisters and George Cavanaugh in Kreider Hall at Glendale Community College for “A Very Special Christmas Concert” of Celtic music, including pieces by O’Carolan. Traditional Christmas carols also are on the program.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., and admission is $10, $7.50 for students and seniors. The college is at 1500 N. Verdugo Road.

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