In the Mountain Strings, Celtic and American Ensembles, BYU students explore various types of music from around the world, from Ireland and Scotland to Russia and Macedonia.
Mark Geslison has been involved in these ensembles, both as a student and director, since 1983.
“I kind of feel like I never grew up,” Geslison said.
Students play both centuries old tunes and contemporary folk music. This includes bluegrass, Texas swing, melodies from the British Isles and more.
“Sometimes some blues in there, if we get adventurous,” Lindsay Davis, the American Ensemble director, said.
Geslison explained that he did not grow up in a musical family. He started showing interest in music when he was four years old.
“Santa Claus said, ‘What do you want for Christmas?’ And I mentioned four instruments,” Geslison said. “The guitar, the mandolin, the banjo and the fiddle.”
The folk music ensembles feature all four of these instruments and several more. The students and directors — including Davis — collaborate to arrange the music they play.
“I will bring an arrangement to class, and then have the band help me finish it, or vice versa,” Geslison said.
While arranging, the ensembles experiment with different forms, instruments, keys and harmonies.
“I love being able to just arrange my own parts and get to be creative with my own music,” Viviann Malay, a Celtic Ensemble flautist, said.
A distinguishing characteristic of folk music is its close connection to dance.
“It's traditionally dance music, but it's also kind of transpires into jam tunes,” Davis said. “It's music that a lot of people can relate to and have fun with.”
A few decades ago, Mountain Strings played primarily American music. Today the group has expanded its repertoire to include styles from all around the world.
Each year, Mountain Strings tours with the BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble.
“I love watching the other people in Mountain Strings,” Madeline Charles, the Mountain Strings pianist and vocalist, said. “I love making eye contact as we perform, and laughing when we mess up and just enjoying every performance.”
The Mountain Strings, Celtic and American Ensembles keep the spirit of folk music alive and well on campus and beyond.