Rare Combination is an Irish folk group formed in the spring of 2004. The groups' repertoire includes; traditional Irish dance music (jigs,reels, polkas, hornpipes), pub songs, rebel songs, ballads, love songs, slow aires, Irish-American tunes, and early American and contemporary folk music. The band has performed pro bono at a variety of elder care centers, service organization events, non-profit fund raisers, and other public service events. The band also has performed at pubs-restaurants, folk festivals, and is available for private performance events. Rare Combination released their first CD entitled "Unlocked" in September 2005.  See the Merchandise Page for ordering instructions.

 

 

Rare Combination LLC is a Limited Liability Company registered in the State of Michigan.

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Margery Dusek graduated from Western Michigan University after completing degree work in music therapy. While at WMU, she studied applied flute and performed in a variety of ensemble groups. Margery has several years of experience working with psychiatric patients as a music therapist. She has assisted in church music ministries, performed with the "Abriel Jazz Trio" and has composed and recorded as a studio musician. She plays concert flute, Irish flute, Irish whistles, recorders, keyboard, guitar and vocals with "Rare Combination".


Sofia Peters, age eighteen, began playing violin at the age of three and piano at the age of four. She is a self-taught mandola and bass guitar player as well. She is a member of the Harper Creek Honors Choir directed by Eric Hansen. Currently she studies violin with Renata Knific at Western Michigan University and piano with Helga Carpenter. She has won a number of competitions and training scholarships. The music camps she attended include; Mark O'Connor Fiddle Camp, Interlochen Arts Camp, WMU Seminar, Steve Zegree Jazz Vocal Camp, and Berkley College of Music String Fling. 



Thor McMillen is a Missourian by birth but a Michiganian at heart. He majored in music at Northwest Missouri State University and received his MA in Music Education from the University of Northern Iowa, teaching public school music and directing church choirs in Iowa and Minnesota. His stage and performance experiences include the Clarinda Symphony Orchestra, the Minneapolis Chorale, the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, and the Kalamazoo Singers. In addition to playing upright bass and singing back-up vocals, Thor is a Wedding Ceremony Music planning consultant and Wedding Singer, and a Michigan licensed real estate agent with the Harbinger Real Estate Group of Portage.

Father Patrick Murphy is a Catholic priest. He studied classical guitar for six summers with Larry Field. He was formerly a member of the Irish folk group "Border Band" and a classical quartet, "Instruments of Peace" in Michigan's upper peninsula and northern Wisconsin. He has performed at the Chocolay Riverfest, Boniface Center for the Arts, Fortune Lake Second Sunday Folk Dances, and the Iron Mountain Community Arts Theatre. He performs on classical guitar, rhythm guitar, bodhran, Irish bouzouki, and voice with "Rare Combination".