Gig: The Carnival Band and friends

A Carnival Band concert is a kaleidoscope of instrumental and vocal colour, crossing continents, travelling through time, and bending the rules. Expect seasonal music from Medieval England to ‘le jazz cool’ via Latin rhythms and Cajun beats. The Carnival Band blend the spirit of Christmas with the spirit of celebration the world over to create a delicious Yuletide cocktail, and they'll be joined for some of the evening by a Carnival Choir, made up of singers from the residential course they're leading at Halsway Manor in the preceding days.

Between them the band’s musicians have a track record in folk, contemporary, classical, baroque, medieval and Arabic music. Moving effortlessly from one to another they add a sprinkling of rock, world music and theatricality for extra flavour. Their own songs draw on this rich palette, perfectly complementing the music of earlier centuries and other cultures and bringing their repertoire right up to date.

From the vibrant blare of shawms, bagpipes and electric guitar to the seductive tones of Turkish clarinet and fiddle and the enchanting delicacy of the renaissance cittern, The Carnival Band mix and match their collection of over twenty instruments, adding vocal harmony to create an astonishing range of sounds.

They have toured the UK appearing at festivals and giving concerts in venues ranging from village halls to London's Cadogan Hall. Abroad they have ventured as far as Japan, with visits to Sudan and the Middle East for the British Council.

From toddlers concerts to choirs for adults, their education and community work embraces all ages. Their engaging humour belies a consummate musicianship, a deep love of the music they perform and a passion to share it with as wide an audience as possible.