In September we met with the talented Irish singer Katie McMahon in Dublin and discussed the possibility of doing some concerts together. She is known to an international audience as the original voice in Riverdance. Her stunningly beautiful soprano voice has mesmerised listeners of Anúna, Riverdance and even her own albums all over the world. We have discussed the option of working together several times over the last years, and finally our dream came true.

We invited Katie over to Norway for rehearsals in the beginning of October, and over a period of two days we rearranged and rehearsed 6 songs. Katie is also a brilliant harp player, and in the new arrangements we use the Irish harp as an accompanying instrument.

Our first public appearance with her happened the same week as we were invited to do a TV performance in Kristiansund in western Norway. She joined us for a part of a two-hour live performance in a totally unplugged and intimate setting. The live audience was great and the response was very encouraging, so we are all inspired to develop this joint effort with her. Hopefully we'll be able to do a tour together in the autumn of 2003.

Katie McMahon, the voice of Riverdance, rehearsing with Secret Garden in Dublin in September	Katie McMahon and Fionnuala during rehearsals in Dublin	Kristiansund) Fionnuala performing with Rolf and Frode Alnaes	(Kristianund) Fionnuala and Rolf flanked by Katie McMahon and Frode Alnaes, the TV host and guitar player.

Together with Mick O'Brien we did a corporate performance in Cork in southern Ireland in the beginning of October. This private concert was by invitation for the Irish Destillers, and in the beautiful old factory building from the 16th century we held a recital.

Mick O'Brien preparing for concert in Cork	The Jameson Heritage centre, a beautiful old stone building - a perfect setting for Secret Gardens music.

Since the planned Asian tours were postponed this autumn we've had the opportunity to work more with the concept of a quartet. For long we've wanted to develop the idea of a full programme for a smaller group, mostly to emphasize the simplicity and intimacy of our music, and also to be more flexible in performing concerts. Together with the Norwegian whistle player Hans Fredrik Jacobsen and singer Katie McMahon we've started to form a concert repertoire. It's very exciting for us since this is a step we've long been wanting to do.

Rehearsing with the quartett, Hans Fredrik Jacobsen, Fionnuala, Rolf and Katie McMahon

Our original 8-piece band will stay intact, and we hope to be out touring again soon. But it's great to have this additional quartet for more intimate occasions and smaller settings, and we hope to be out touring soon. (Photo)

Our web-team is moving into the closing stage of re-designing our web-site. Latest reports indicate that the site will be launched early in the new year.

Best wishes!

Rolf and Fionnuala