Tim Bayley shawm/recorder/flute/harp/curtal/crumhorn/bagpipes/hurdy gurdy William Marshall sackbut/flute/guitar/cittern/recorder/crumhorn/bagpipes John Peel lute/shawm/recorder/bagpipes Ian Richardson recorder/flute/shawm/crumhorn/hurdy gurdy Roger Richardson recorder/flute/shawm/crumhorn For special programmes joined by Susan Marshall renaissance violin Debora Catterall soprano

The York Waits - a concert attraction since the 1970s - recreate the city band of York as it was in its Tudor and Jacobean heyday, specialising in the shawm and sackbut ensemble that was the mainstay of European town bands, but also mustering consorts of flutes, recorders, crumhorns and a wide variety of stringed instruments. The Waits also play the popular instruments of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, such as bagpipes, pipe and tabor, and hurdy-gurdy. A range of programmes is available, from an illustrated lecture-recital on instruments that appear in medieval windows and carvings in medieval English churches, to a concert of music from the early Jacobean period. There is also a concert of music from the reign of Henry VIII featuring narration by broadcaster Tim Healey, and a popular concert of early English Christmas music.

Sample Programme:

The King’s Pavan: A city band of the early 16th century performs music from the court, private houses, taverns and streets of Henry VIII’s England. The turbulence of the times is captured in a narration, drawn from original documents, by broadcaster Tim Healey.

Education:

The York Waits offer lecture recitals on renaissance instruments and the history of town bands, plus participatory playing workshops for children, adults early music fora, etc.

Recordings:

Fortune My Foe (2005, Beautiful Jo)
Yule Riding (2004, Beautiful Jo)
City Musicke (Brewhouse)
Music from the Time of Richard III (Saydisc)

Performances:

3 Dec 06 Holywell Music Room, Oxford
25 May 07 Beverley Early Music Festival: All Saints’
Church, Londesborough
17 Aug 07 Acton Court, Bristol

Contact:

William Marshall, 12 Woodsome Drive,
Fenay Bridge

Huddersfield, Yorkshire, HD9 0JR

Tel: 01484 602460

Email: enquiries@theyorkwaits.org.uk Website: www.waits.org.uk/york