Performing on a wide variety of period instruments, Dorian Mirth specializes in Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and European Folk genres, and endeavors to both authentically recreate and creatively re-imagine historic music.

17 MP3 Songs
CLASSICAL: Early Music, CLASSICAL: Renaissance

Details:
The inspiration for Dorian Mirth originated in spring of 1999 when sisters Kierstin and Rachel took a recorder class together at Utah State University as an elective for their music degrees. Although previously having basic knowledge and skill in the instrument, the class began to bring to light the possibilities of ensemble playing.

They recruited a small group of friends -- including current members Gina, Melonie, and Janette -- that had all had prior music experience, but little to no acquaintance with the recorder. After hastily acquiring instruments, throwing together some music, assembling costumes, and holding several whirlwind practices, they were ready for their first gig. With a pressing need for a band name, Gina casually suggested "Vis Sit Tecum" - a rough Latin translation of "May The Force Be With You". Thusly, the group was named Vis Sit Tecum Musicorum (VSTM).

The first of The Lord of the Rings movies was released in December 2001, and the local Salt Lake City Line party had the distinction of being the largest organized midnight premiere of The Fellowship of the Ring in the world for the films. VSTM was the official entertainment of the evening, playing music for the fans whilst they eagerly awaited the showing of the film.

In the summer of 2002, it was announced that a suite of compiled music from The Fellowship of the Ring would be premiering at the historic Hollywood Bowl. When it was discovered that a picnic (lovingly dubbed âBowlmootâ) for fans of The Lord of the Rings would be held in conjuncture with the concert, VSTM contacted the organizers and became the official entertainment for the event.

The second of the Lord of the Rings films, The Two Towers was released in December 2002. Again, the Salt Lake City Line Party was the largest line party in the world and again, VSTM played for it. This time, the screening was at the historic Villa Theatre, a huge glorious theatre hearkening back to the golden days of the silver screen. (No longer able to compete with modern surround-sound theatres, the Villa closed its doors forever only a few months afterward.)

Making Hollywood connections at the Bowlmoot picnic opened the next door for VSTM, and they were invited back to Hollywood as performers at âTwo Towers - One Party,â a celebration organized by theonering.net on Oscar night at the Hollywood Athletic Club. VSTM played as over 1,000 fans checked in for an evening full of costumes, food, and fun!

When the group was first formed, there was no notion of the permanence or the wide-reaching experiences it would have. It had become apparent that the name Vis Sit Tecum Musicorum was quite unwieldy, being difficult to pronounce and remember. After a lengthy process of deliberation, the ensemble was named Dorian Mirth (DM) in May 2003.

For the third year in a row, DM played for the Salt Lake midnight premiere of The Lord of the Rings, the biggest and most exciting line party yet! The Villa theatre, even if it had still been in commission, was much too small this time to contain the ever-growing crowd of die-hard fans who wanted to experience Return of the King with the biggest and most enthusiastic crowd of fans in the world. After playing in the tiny lobby, DM traveled from theatre to theatre (seven screens in all) at the Ritz Hollywood Connection movie megaplex in order for everyone to hear them play!

âTwo Towers - One Partyâ was such a success that DM was invited back to participate in âReturn of the One Party,â this time at the Hollywood American Legion, located a block from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Premiering at the party was DMâs debut CD, Pluck, Rattle and Blow.

Since then, Dorian Mirth has maintained connections with the Lord of the Rings community (Tol-Con in Seattle, Tolkien Festival in Salt Lake), plus participating in various Scottish Festivals, both with music and a growing costume business (Stitches of Mirth).

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