Premier Folk Music Ensemble Mountain Strings Offers Traditional Tunes, Christmas Favorites

The band — which provides musical support to BYU’s International Folk Dance Ensemble — will perform in two groups in preparation for their summer tours to France and Russia

BYU’s premier folk music ensemble will take the Madsen Recital Hall stage Dec. 12 for their annual fall semester performance of traditional tunes and Christmas favorites — but with a twist.

“This semester’s concert will feature two Mountain Strings bands,” said director Mark Geslison. “This is because of a special tour this summer where one group will perform in France and the other one will perform in Russia. Each group will perform separately, then both will play together at the end of the concert. The students in both bands are quite special and very talented.”

There are 11 student musicians between the two incarnations of the ensemble, all of whom dedicate significant time outside of their academic studies to prepare for tours and community performances, as well as their musical support of BYU’s International Folk Dance Ensemble.

“We get together at least five hours a week to rehearse, and I think that commitment is evidenced in our music,” said upright bass player and singer Quinn Gleave. “I hope people can see that we all genuinely love what we do; I think it’s cool that 11 people with varying majors and backgrounds all enjoy playing this music enough to make time for it. Each band member brings their own element to the performance.”

Mountain Strings has a loyal community following, and the concert promises to highlight both crowd favorites from past years and new offerings, with a few surprises in the mix. In addition to several Christmas songs — including a cover of “Please Come Home for Christmas” by the Eagles — the concert will feature traditional tunes from the United States and Ireland as well as a Canadian reel set. 

“It will be a good mix of familiar and unfamiliar songs,” said Casey McClellan, who plays keyboard and synth. “I hope the audience comes ready to jam! Be prepared for some traditional tunes with a few twists, and come ready to enjoy lots of great music! It’ll be a festive, fun time.”

McClellan is grateful for the role Mountain Strings plays in her life and academic experience as she balances music with a global studies major and a Japanese minor.

“This has been my first semester in Mountain Strings, but it has already been a highlight of my time at BYU,” she said. “All the other band members are incredible musicians, and I’ve already learned so much from their experience. Music is a huge part of my life, and the amazing organization Mark Geslison has created has really set a foundation for me to pull from as I play music for the rest of my life.” 

Gleave echoed McClellan’s desire to make music a priority both during and after the BYU experience.

“Though I’m a biochemistry major, music has always been a pillar of my identity and life,” he said. “Being in Mountain Strings has helped me to continue to develop that side of me, as well as make connections that will hopefully allow me to continue performing after I graduate.”

Tickets and Show Details

Performance Dates and Times: Dec. 12 | 7:30 p.m.

Location: Madsen Recital Hall

Price: $6-7

Tickets: Available in person at the BYU HFAC or Marriott Center Ticket Office, by phone at (801) 422-2981 or online at byuarts.com