A Carnival Calendar

From the riotous pre-Lent carnivals of medieval Europe to the midwinter revelry of the Lord of Misrule, The Carnival Band take us through the year, imaginatively weaving folk, historical and contemporary strands from England and abroad into a rich tapestry of seasonal celebration.

A Carnival of Carols

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. With a cornucopia of instruments and rich vocal harmony, the music includes traditional carols such as I Saw Three Ships and The Boar’s Head and new compositions by the band ranging from the reflective (Bright Evening Star) to the comic (The Lighthouse Keeper's Christmas). The perfect start to the festive season. Suitable for all ages.

Carnivalesque!

The spirit of Carnival is the same the world over. A feast of dance music and songs from the 16th century to the present day and from a wide variety of musical traditions, embodying the themes of revelry and celebration.

Chapel and Tavern

Popular hymns, ballads and dances from the 17th 18th and 19th centuries.

Chapel and Tavern with Maddy Prior

Popular hymns, ballads and dances from the 17th 18th and 19th centuries.

Lewd Strumpets and Constant Wives – with singer Vivien Ellis

The broadside ballads were the pop music of the 17th century and in this concert the women take centre stage – female soldiers, cunning tricksters, noble heroines, and girls who know what they want and how to get it!

Our Subversive Voice

The Carnival Band joins forces with balladeer Vivien Ellis and research team Our Subversive Voice, for a one-off set of songs celebrating English political protest through the ages, from 1600 to today. Expect a riot of instruments, genres, and radical songs to span the centuries, accompanied by introductions and insights from Our Subversive Voice, a collective of historians and political scholars who have been charting this history of protest.

Workshop programmes Concert Programmes

Carnival Choir Carols Workshop

A one-day workshop led by Andy Watts in which singers will learn arrangements in four-part harmony from A Tapestry of Carols, Carols and Capers, and the band’s extensive repertoire of festive music. The choirs will join up with The Carnival Band for the Carnival of Carols concerts in December. To join the choirs or find out more visit our Carnival Choirs page

Sing Lustily and With Good Courage

A workshop for singers and instrumentalists based on the recordings of Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band, including Who Would True Valour See, How Firm a Foundation (used in the film ‘Emma’) The Lancashire Chartist Hymn and many more.