Music

Crumhorn consort rehearsal

We'll practice some renaissance consort music, on recorder and then on crumhorn. We'll play from modern notation (but have facsimile available for anyone who'd like to give it a go in white mensural notation).

If this session goes well, and people are keen, we might aim for a theatre piece!

To participate, you need to be able to:

Crumhorn Have-a-go

Crumhorns are one of the stranger renaissance instruments. They sound a bit like a duck, a bit like a tuned fart, and yet - played well, in consort - utterly glorious. Technically: they're wind-capped double-reed instruments. You blow into a wooden mouth-piece, rather than putting your lips directly onto the reed. The fingering is like a recorder. We'll have four crumhorns (as well as a few other renaissance wind instruments) and you're welcome to try them. All welcome (no experience needed).

Ball list - CF 2023

Can I play the music?

Sheet music for the musicians can be found here.

Can I dance this one?

*  = yes! jump on in (7+ dances)

** = come to the practices during the week, and find a partner who knows it, (8 dances)

*** = learn this before the ball: please watch if you don't know it already (4 dances)

Step descriptions and You Tube links for the dances can be found here, if you want to practice before the event.

Dance cards: will be available at Faire to note which dances you've learned and never forget a partner. Print one out if you like (two doubled sided pages = two dance cards from an A4 sheet).

Set 1

  • Official Bransle*
  • Mixed Bransle - Cassandra* , Pinagay*, Charlotte**, La Guerre**, Aridan**
  • Ballo del Fiore*

Set 2

  • Amoroso**
  • Gracca Amaroso***
  • Hearts Ease**

Here there will be the tassel kick competition **. (This is a galliard competition where dancers try to kick a hanging tassel in an athletic and stylish way.)

Set 3

  • Earl of Essex measure*
  •  The Queens Alman*
  •  Black Alman*
  •  Ly bens Distonys**

Here there will be a break, during which all are invited to refresh themselves, followed by a performance of grace and delight.

Set 4

  • Prens in Gre**
  • Spagnoletta***
  • Lo Spagnoletto***
  • Rostibolli Gioioso**

Set 5

  • Contentezza d'Amore***
  • Jenny Pluck Pears*
  • Sellengers Round*

CF 2022 Ball list

Good gentles, we invite you to join with us for the Canterbury Faire ball featuring the renowned tassel kick, to be held on the Thursday eve of this annual event. Please see the event schedule for details of dance classes, musician practices, and instruction in how to kick a tassel.

Below is a list of the most popular dances at Canterbury Faire balls for the past decade that shall feature during this evening.

-- Emma of Wolvercote

Can I play the music?

Lowrens Wilyamson is assembling sheet music, please contact him for access

Mixed Branles – Cassandra, Pinagay, Charlotte, La Guerre, Aridan
Offical Branle

Ballo del Fiore
Amoroso
Gracca Amorosa
Hearts Ease

Earl of Essex Measure
Queen's Alman
Black Alman
Ly Bens Distonys
Prenes in Gre

Spagnoletta
Lo Spagnoletto

Rostiboli Gioioso
Contentezza d'Amore
Jenny Plucks Pears
Sellenger's Round

Ball list 2024

Can I play the music?

Sheet music for the musicians will be available soon.

Can I dance this one?

*  = yes! jump on in, but best to find a partner who knows it (7 dances)

** = Have some idea on how it is danced, and find a partner who knows it, (8 dances)

*** = learn this before the ball: please watch if you don't know it already (4 dances)

Step descriptions and You Tube links for some of the dances can be found here, if you want to practice before the event.

Set 1

  • Mimed Bransle*
  • Gathering Peascods*
  • Petite Rose**
  • Dance de Cleves**

Set 2

  • Maltese Bransle*
  • Scotts Bransle*
  • Hearts Ease**
  • Rostiboli Giososo**
  • Spagnoletta***

Here there will be the tassel kick competition **. (This is a galliard competition where dancers try to kick a hanging tassel in an athletic and stylish way.)

Set 3

  • Prens en gre*
  • Queens Alman*
  • Jenny Pluck Pears*
  • Chiara Stella***
  •  

Here there will be a break, during which all are invited to refresh themselves.

Set 4

  • Rufty Tufty*
  • Temperans**
  • Belfiore**
  • Alescandresca***

Set 5

  • Amoroso**
  • Picking of sticks ***
  • Whirligig***

 

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