^{SHEPHERDS HEY}

Photo by David Brett: Shepherds Hey at East Riddlesden Hall, Keighley.

Shepherds Hey are a Traditional Country Dance Band from

Haworth,

West Yorkshire, consisting of three or four musicians and a caller. Although we are an all acoustic band, we provide amplification when needed. We play fiddle, melodeon, mandolin, mandola, guitar, horn and sometimes cello. We specialise in playing a variety of traditional dances from all over the British Isles and Ireland. We also enjoy playing European Music and we were for many years the musicians for Bradfords' Hungarian Dance troupe, Tokaij.

We offer a mixture of dances and traditional music and our accomplished caller will guide the dancers through each step. The result is tremendous fun, with dancers clamouring for more. If you want to specify the music you prefer, we will do our best to oblige. We can put together a program to suit all tastes, from our background in a range of musical styles. English, Scottish, Irish, New World or European.

We also play and call "Old time" dances when appropriate and we are happy to discuss a program to suit your personal requirements.

Although based in the Yorkshire village of Haworth near Keighley, we play all over Yorkshire, and further afield. We play for all kinds of event with weddings and birthday celebrations being particularly popular. We even did a wake once and have played for National Trust events, at Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire.

Shepherds Hey: THE BAND

ROBIN SHEPHERD is the band leader and plays fiddle and melodeon. He arranges the music and with Rosalind researches the dances. He is also known for musical arrangements and recordings with traditional music performers, . and has worked extensively with Yorkshire Dales Workshops.Robin has many years of experience in traditional music and dance and takes classes in both subjects.

GRAHAM SMOUT plays guitar, mandolin and mandola. He suffered a long apprenticeship in pub sessions!

HEATHER SHEPHERD i s the youngest band member and plays tenor horn.

BILL AUSTEN is sometimes available to play cello.

ROSALIND SHEPHERD is the caller. She works closely with the musicians to ensure the dances and the tunes work well together. Rosalind also works with the organisers to select a programme of material for the dancers to enjoy. She will call for the dances as much as is needed, making it easy for beginners to join in.

Click here to Listen to Wave Audio File; Robin plays Portobello Rant.

Next Page.

Back to Index | Back to Top | Booking Details