He again participated in many musical situations from the sublime to the ridiculous. From there, it was on to Redeemer College (University) in Ancaster, Ontario. His time on dormatory afforded him the opportunity to be involved in all manner of musical undertakings. As a teenager, Ryan attended Niagara Christian College (Collegiate) in Fort Erie, Ontario. Though Ontarian, these home gatherings had a kind of traditional ceilidh atmosphere, much the same as the kitchen parties his ancestors enjoyed on the East-coast of Canada. As a child there were church services, choral recitals, travelling ensembles and gatherings of family and friends who would sing and celebrate long into the night. Though that entire time has largely been spent performing with Joel as the Celtic duo McKenna across Southern Ontario, the foundation of Ryan's musical growth was in in the world of sacred music. He has performed with his brother and fellow Rover, Joel McKenna, perpetually since 1996. For the moment that phrase remains only a term of affection and endearment. He kind of wanted the band to be called the Thistle Mittens. His first love was theatre arts but he got bit by the music bug as a young man and has never recovered. Ryan's love of being playful and ridiculous is always present yet he regularly engages topics that carry a lot of emotional weight and personal significance. He is absolutely at home on the stage where he invites you in to join the band in some wonderful time together. His distinctive baritone sets the band apart and helps define SCR's unmistakable sonic character. ![]() Ryan McKenna is a singer, writer and arranger. Mark's solo cd "The Unbroken Line" was nominated in the" Celtic Instrumental of the Year category", by Just Plain Folks Music Awards in Nashville in 2008. Some select appearences of note: live to air broadcast nationwide on TSN in 2005: piper selected for Drayton Festivals 2009 run of the play "Brigadoon": "Scots Wa Hae", broadcast from CBC's Glenn Gould studio in Toronto with the group Shaggy Haggis:Chicago Irish Festival, Island Folk Festival in B.C., Saline Celtic Festival, Blue Skies Folk Festival, Mill Race Folk Festival, Montreal Highland Games, Fergus Scottish Festival, Glengarry Highland Games, as well Symphony appearences with International Symphony, Georgian Bay Symphony and Stratford Symphony Orchestras with the group Rant Maggie Rant. As well, many appearences stateside, including Michigan, Ohio and Illinois. He performs with Stratford Police Pipes and Drums and the Dundas Pipe Band.įestival mainstages and concert halls across Ontario, Quebec and B.C. Mark is a skilled Highland Piper and is constantly sought out for private and public functions. This ability adds great variety in SCR shows and engages the audience to watch for all the change ups in instrumentation. Mark is known for his multi-instrumental skills and in any given performance can glide form Scottish Smallpipes to Mandola, Accordion, or Irish Whistle. Over time he has performed the music of many genres, been the architect of many well known Celtic ensembles and contributed his musical skills to nearly 40 cd's. Mark has been active in the music industry for close to 40 years, playing his first professional gigs at age 16. Commanding and dynamic performers, this act is a blend of both seasoned and young talent who are simply electric to witness in person. ![]() ![]() In their three years together, the Rovers have performed internationally on larger and larger stages, been nominated for several music awards and have had their original works top the traditional radio charts. Sophisticated, hypnotizing musical arrangements. The Rovers are Celtibilly the cross-pollination of the Celtic and North American traditions.
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