Our live acoustic music is appealing to a wide audience and enhances an atmosphere of casual elegance and charm. As a result your guests will always have delightful memories of your special day. Event coordinators can relax with confidence knowing that live musicians will monitor and respond to the proceedings, providing subtle support for entrances, speeches and toasts as necessary. 

As background music for all types of receptions, the Celtic harp with violin and /or woodwinds creates a relaxing scene. Like the scent of a bouquet of flowers fresh from a country garden, or the pleasant undertone of a brook or a fountain, the music wafts among the guests easing tension and providing a romantic, Old World ambiance. 

Julia Lane plays the Celtic harp, ancestor of the orchestral harp, that features an enchanting resonant tone. Her lively, unique style has won several competitions. Fred Gosbee performs on violin, flutes, whistles and viola. Both are accomplished vocalists. Their resulting blend has been described variously as mellow, captivating and delightful. 

Programs are available with or without vocals.

Here is a partial listing of our repertoire - we know something like 300 tunes. Although we can play from manuscript we much prefer to work without written music. In this way we are better able to monitor the event and alter the music to provide the best support. The processional, for example, almost never takes the amount of time allotted. We are able to shorten or lengthen the music and still bring it to a logical resolution. 

The following lists of music are separated into catagories according to how each tune tends to be used. These categories are only suggestions. We have had brides decide that one of our recessionals is perfect for her processional. 

For the prelude and reception we draw on a much wider range of tunes, primarily from Scottish and Irish sources but also many tunes that we have written. 

There are sound samples for any titles that work as links. Just click each title to hear 10-20 seconds of music.

"Castlebay is an absolutely amazing musical duo! They played for our wedding on 9/14/10 in Bar Harbor, Maine, and our guests could not stop talking about how great they were. Their music creates a simply beautiful atmosphere. They knew exactly how to play 'under' slow parts of the wedding ceremony, and when to kick it up for the celebratory times. 

They were very accommodating with the rain during our wedding day. They played indoors while we waited out the rain, which made it seem more like a delightful preface to the ceremony, rather than just a waiting time. And they didn't hesitate to run outside when we were able to proceed with our outdoor ceremony. 

I cannot possibly rave enough about how much they added to our ceremony. It was an honor to have them play and the ambiance they created was a priceless addition to our wedding. They are both great people and professional to 

work with as well!" 

Thank you again, a million times over!" 

- Carrie A  wedding, Bar Harbor, Maine 

"Castlebay performed for our dream wedding in two separate venues--ceremony at a wooded oceanside forest property with no amenities other then a tent privy, followed by a reception an hour away at a cozy inn in Bar Harbor ME. Their music was perfect for the forest ambiance as well as the intimate inn space. They were incredibly adaptable and patient, as the ceremony segment went 2 hours overtime and the reception/dinner schedule was seriously impacted by the delay. After a lengthy wait at the inn for guests to arrive, they agreed to play at least 2 hours longer than they had contracted, and their overtime charge was more than reasonable. We LOVE Castlebay!" 

- Susan K wedding, Bar Harbor, ME