VIGILES AND MUSICIANS OF THE ANCIENT CAPITAL OF ENGLAND
MEDIAEVAL, TUDOR OR RENAISSANCE BAND
MEDIAEVAL, TUDOR OR RENAISSANCE BAND
The Winchester Waytes, re-formed during Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Year, have been recreating the sounds of 12th and 13th Century Wintanceaster the ancient capital of England. This Mediaeval Town Band has been filmed on and in the ancient Westgate, situated at the top of Winchester's High Street, the oldest still useable High Street in Europe.
Italian television has been recording a series of Cultural and Travel programmes promoting the City of Winchester and the Wessex region. The Winchester Waytes have assisted with period music, dance and other cultural activities in partnership with the Winchester City Tourism Department and The Winchester Museums Service. (Please see photographs below.) During the halcyon days of Wintanceaster in the 13th century the streets of the capital of England resounded to the musick of the Winchester Waytes. As watchmen, city warders and champions of Winchester, the Waytes patrolled the streets and played for civic and ceremonial occasions. |
The instrumentation of the ensemble includes recorders, shawms, rackets, cornetts, curtals, bagpipes, bombards, flageolets, doucaines, flutes, hornpipes, panpipes, tabors, nakers and kettle drums. The varied wind and percussion ensembles allow for the segregation of both "indoor" and "outdoor" whether for background music for banquets and formal dinners or for fanfares and flourishes and dancing.
Period costumes of the 12th and 13th century add colour and a sense of occasion. With historically researched music, of the early medieaval and later English periods, the band recreates the sounds brought back by the early crusaders following their contact with the Arabs, known at that time as the Saracens. This was the time of the founding of great courts and cities, the future employers of trumpeters and other musicians.
As well as their city work, The Winchester Waytes are always delighted to play for local community based festivals. We welcome enquiries from organisers. Working closely with local schools and colleges, students are encouraged to enjoy their music making and to broaden their knowledge of this very accessible medium. Workshops and concerts, linked to the National Curriculum, are an important part of the ensemble's educational outreach.
The Waytes are available for banquets, corporate functions and product launches. With colourful costumes and a ceremonial approach their music lends itself to numerous regal and social occasions. Dance music, incorporating other instruments including recorder, shawms, pipes and harps, together with court jesters, will bring any formal event to life. We look forward to hearing from you.
Period costumes of the 12th and 13th century add colour and a sense of occasion. With historically researched music, of the early medieaval and later English periods, the band recreates the sounds brought back by the early crusaders following their contact with the Arabs, known at that time as the Saracens. This was the time of the founding of great courts and cities, the future employers of trumpeters and other musicians.
As well as their city work, The Winchester Waytes are always delighted to play for local community based festivals. We welcome enquiries from organisers. Working closely with local schools and colleges, students are encouraged to enjoy their music making and to broaden their knowledge of this very accessible medium. Workshops and concerts, linked to the National Curriculum, are an important part of the ensemble's educational outreach.
The Waytes are available for banquets, corporate functions and product launches. With colourful costumes and a ceremonial approach their music lends itself to numerous regal and social occasions. Dance music, incorporating other instruments including recorder, shawms, pipes and harps, together with court jesters, will bring any formal event to life. We look forward to hearing from you.