Music is a series of sounds, notes, beats and rhythms arranged in a way that is pleasing to the ear. But music is also a combination of dozens of different genres culturally influenced by time-honored traditions, not unlike Scottish or Celtic.

"We play a variety of Irish and Scottish music," said Christy King, who's been the musical director of the Ceili Band for five years. "The music uses ornamentation and rhythms that are very distinct from other music. While we use sheet music as well, the style needs to be studied by ear in order to capture the essence of music. That probably creates the greatest challenge for musicians learning Celtic music, especially for those trained classically."

A part of the Paloma Performance Troupe, the Ceili Band is an independent musical ensemble that also supports the Doherty Petri School of Irish Dance. After all, what's dancing without music?

The Ceili Band generally practices a couple of times a week, mainly at the Celtic Center of Lancaster, 1285 Manheim Pike, Lancaster.

"Our goal is to bring musicians of all ages and musical backgrounds together to learn and enjoy Celtic music," said King. "The band is also an opportunity for musicians to get experience performing on a stage for an audience."

The Ceili Band is made up of about 25 musicians, mostly from Lancaster County and ranging in age from 8 to 70. Those musicians play fiddles, keyboards, guitars, cellos, bodhrans, flutes and a double bass.

"I think the band is unique in the wide range of ages and abilities," said King, a resident of Ephrata. "We try to have a place for everyone to participate. We want people to know that anyone is welcome to come give the band a try."

In collaboration with the dancers, the Ceili Band performs about four times a year, at venues and events like the Lititz Fire and Ice Festival, the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, Highland Presbyterian Church and the Maryland Irish Festival.

"Celtic music is beautiful and attainable for anyone," said King, "whether you want to dust off your fiddle and join us at practice or come out to one of our performances. We hope to pass on the joy of music to everyone around us."

The Ceili Band was formed about five years ago, around the same time that dance instructor Esther Pujol was piecing together the Doherty Petri School of Irish Dance. It turned out to be a match made in Irish music heaven.

"I had been teaching fiddle lessons at the Celtic Center and started a group practice with some of my students, along with a few other musicians from the dance school," said King. "Esther was, at the same time, putting together numbers with the dancers, some of them involving both the band and the dancers together. The idea was Esther's brainchild, and we worked it out along with the help of many other incredible teachers and musicians over the years."