Had a two-day gig playing at Windsor Castle over the Easter holiday. When they are running family activity days, they sometimes book our band to play Medieval and Tudor music during the gaps. Usually we are put in the Waterloo Chamber, which is nice, but this time we were in Saint George's Hall, which is a great venue for us, surrounded by armour and heraldic coats of arms.
Incidentally, it's also going to be the venue for Harry and Meghan's wedding reception.

We had to clear everything out in the evening, which normally involves lugging the instruments to the other side of the State Apartments where we can use a lockable cupboard. But as all the costume and stuff for the family activities were being put in the minstrel's gallery just next to us overnight, we were told we could stash the instruments there as well. Once we had carried everything up, they said "Why not play from here tomorrow?". So we did and it was fantastic. The acoustics were brilliant (after all that is what the space was designed for!) and it was fun watching the visitor's faces as they first entered the hall and looked around wondering where the music was coming from!

Quite a coup as when we started performing at the castle, about 5 years ago, we were firmly told there was no way we could play from the minstrel's gallery! Mind you, when we started we weren't allowed to wear period costume (for fear of Disneyfication of the Royal Palace) and now we just turn up in costume and the armed copper on the gate says "Ah, I know who you are" and directs us to a reserved parking spot.

Blimey! Is there no end to the talents of this forum?

This is all new to me. Which instrument do you play? Any photos?

What FSN said!

Extremely well done, that man

Do tell more...

Quote from: fsn on 18 April 2018, 07:30:28 AM
(...)  Which instrument do you play? Any photos?

or Videos ?

Anything on YouTube ? 

Cheers - Phil

Cool as!

Quote from: fsn on 18 April 2018, 07:30:28 AM
Blimey! Is there no end to the talents of this forum?

This is all new to me. Which instrument do you play? Any photos?

I make no claim to any talents!

I play various percussion instruments with a band called Lumina http://www.luminamusic.co.uk . Actually, I'm not a "real" musician, it is one of my sister Broni's bands (she is a very talented singer and musician). About five years ago they went from a 3-piece to a 2-piece so I was asked to provide some simple drumming and other percussion as a stop-gap. Although they have now recruited another talented third musician, they have kept me on as it releases the girls to do the "fancy bits" on vocals, recorders, bagpipes, gittern, viola etc.

Officially visitors are not allowed to take pictures in the State Apartments at Windsor Castle, but that is hard to enforce in this age of mobiles with cameras. We have a few shots that punters have taken and then sent to us to use.

As FSN said, no end of talent on this forum

Quote from: sunjester on 19 April 2018, 04:47:26 PM
(...) a band called Lumina http://www.luminamusic.co.uk .
(...)

And with a dulcimer ! 
Good vids and good music !

"The Girls".

I can see them.....But where are you SJ ? 

Cheers - Phil.

Really cool!
I had trouble loading vids at Lumina but here is a YouTube link.

Love the Northumberland(?) pipes. 

And the well known Coventry Carol


Do not diminish your skill Sunjester, my experience is that nine out of ten of us muggles can't beat accurate time! 

That is really cool indeed!

A quality of life moment - we should fill our lives with them as often as we can.

Quote from: Techno on 19 April 2018, 08:31:13 PM
"The Girls".

I can see them.....But where are you SJ ? 

Cheers - Phil.

He is the one on the left with the burgundy headdress