Glaoch an Fiach Dubh is gaelic for "The Call of the Raven". The group consists of four students from Benedictine College in Atchison Kansas. BC's mascot is the raven and since the group became the unofficial Irish voice of the school, the name just seemed to fit. The group developed out of a weekly Irish session put on by Benedictine College's Celtic Music Club.
After playing together for two years, Emily Dawson and Kate Buchanan decided to form an actual band. The first thing that was needed was a guitar player. After almost a semester of searching their prayers were answered by the appearance of Emily Green. A biology and spanish double major, Green enjoyed playing guitar on the side. Quickly broken into the group, the trio seemed to be set on their way. They received their first real break when asked to play at the college's Senior Night at O'Malley's Irish Pub in Weston MO. After working hard to prepare all their numbers, Murphy's Law played it's part and they got word that the event had been canceled due to a harsh Kansas ice storm.
After returning from Christmas break, the group was contacted again for a second shot at Senior Night. This time no bad weather stood in their way and the trio made their debut on O'Malley's stage. This first gig seemed to be the spring board for the group.
One night whilst playing at a school coffee house, the trio were informed by the Celtic Music Club's advisor, John Bunch, that O'Malley's had contacted him asking if the trio would be up for a permanent gig every Thursday night. With this news, the trio set out to add a 4th member to the group. Molly Bartlett (also playing at the coffee house) had just returned from a semester in Italy and when she joined the band she just completed the sound.
The band played nearly every week at O'Malley's Irish Pub for an assorted crowd. Some weeks there would be a decent crowd, other weeks they would play for one person who had stopped in for a pint after work. Either way, all four girls soaked up the authentic atmosphere that surrounds O'Malley's. It never mattered if there were people around to hear them, they just enjoy playing traditional music with each other. The year ended with a final gig at O'Malley's, appropriately enough, for Benedictine College's final Senior Night.
The band consists of members from all sorts of backgrounds. Molly Bartlett is a Junior, from Vermont, at Benedictine College and majoring in Spanish. Kate Buchanan is a Junior, from New Mexico, at Benedictine College and majoring in history and religious studies. Emily Green is a Junior, from Kansas, at Benedictine College and majoring in biology and Spanish. Emily Dawson is an alumna of Benedictine College, has a BA in Music Education and is back home in Colorado!