Chris and Ken at Deer Creek in 1984

Helicon began life with Chris Norman (wooden flute, whistle, small pipes, piano, vocals) and Ken Kolodner (hammered dulcimer, fiddle) back in the early 1980’s. Sometime after a fortuitous meeting at the Deer Creek Fiddler’s Convention, Ken and Chris added the prodigious talents of Robin Bullock (guitar, cittern, mandolin, piano) in 1986 and Helicon was officially born. The trio soon became one of the few ensembles who were at the forefront of expanding the boundaries of traditional music in the U.S. and exploring the genre of what later became known as “world music.” Combining diverse musical backgrounds and interest, Helicon’s mission became the interpretation of traditional folk music from around the world. The group took its name from Mount Helicon in Greek mythology, the home of the nine muses who each inspired a different discipline in the arts. Helicon’s high energy performances feature a repertoire that is astoundingly varied, ranging from music of South America and Eastern Europe to Celtic and Appalachian fiddle tunes to music of the Far East. With concerts in all but two states, the trio toured broadly until 1998. Helicon’s recordings include Daybreak (1985, Ken & Chris), Helicon (1987, recorded live), The Titan (1989), Horizons (1993), A Winter Solstice Celebration (1999), and Live at The Winter Solstice (2022) featuring the full slate of current guests.  

Recordings

For CDs: https://shop.kenkolodner.com/

For downloads: https://heliconbaltimore.bandcamp.com/

History of Helicon’s Winter Solstice Concerts

In 1986, the first Winter Solstice Concert was held at the Church of the Redeemer on Charles Street in North Baltimore. 400 people attended the sold-out concert. A ladder was famously used to hold up the Christmas lights on stage. Their special guest was the folk trio Metamora with the late Pete Sutherland, Grey Larsen, and Malcolm Dalglish. It was a humble start for what grew into a Baltimore tradition. Helicon moved the concert to the much larger confines of Goucher College. In the early years, Helicon established a tradition of hosting a guest artist. Among the many guest performers were Doc Watson, Metamora, Patrick Ball, Hesperus, Jay Ungar & Molly Mason, John McCutcheon, Alison Krauss & Union Station, and Trian (Billy McComiskey, Daithi Sproule & Liz Carroll), members of The Paul Winter Consort. 

In the mid-1990’s, after selling out Goucher year after year, the concert moved for an eight-year run at The Myerhoff in Baltimore, with Helicon as the sole act. The show moved back to Goucher where it has remained for the last 20 years. Helicon kept the show going during the giant snowstorm of 2009 with an abbreviated show at The Stony Run Friends Meeting House, with folks arriving with snowshoes and cross-country skis. During the pandemic, The Creative Alliance hosted the show. 

Despite ceasing touring in 1998, every December, the trio reunites from Nova Scotia (Chris Norman), North Carolina (Robin Bullock), and Baltimore (Ken Kolodner) to keep the Winter Solstice Concert tradition alive and growing. The reunion aspect of the show is not limited to the performers – the concert feels like a giant reunion of Helicon’s fans! 

The concert continues to evolve and grow! In the last decade or so, Helicon has added the prodigious talents of many guests who have become a central part of the concert. For nearly 15 years, the 6-time North American Step Dance Champ Jonathon Srour has been a fixture on the stage. Jonathan grew up attending the concert. Jonathan’s wife, step-dancer and multi-instrumentalist Claire Shirey now graces the stage with Jonathan. Ken’s son Brad first appeared on the stage back in 2011. He now brings members of Charm City Junction (or the full band) to the concert. The Ken & Brad Kolodner Quartet (with Rachel Eddy) graces the stage as well. A long-time performing partner of Ken, Scottish National Fiddle Champion Elke Baker has been a regular guest for many years. Finally, in 2023, Chris Norman’s daughter Evangeline Norman has joined the fun. In 2019, Helicon added a performance in DC with the prestigious Dumbarton Concert Series (https://dumbartonconcerts.org/).

Helicon’s Winter Solstice Concerts are very much a family affair. We hope you will join our extended family!