Fiddler

Erin Brown

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About Erin

Erin is an accomplished, fiery fiddle player who regularly performs with Stumpy Oak Ceilidh Band. Erin is also an amazing fiddle teacher.
Fiddler
Newmarket
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Folk Fiddle Teacher & Workshop Leader for Ely, Cambridge, Newmarket & Suffolk Coming from a background of mixed traditional and contemporary Irish fiddle playing and singing, Erin first performed in the trailblazing young group No I.D in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards Competition back in 2002. The group went on to make two CDs and played at the Cambridge Folk Festival four times sharing the stage with the likes of Show of Hands, Sharon Shannon and Martin Simpson in the Saturday Big Session on Stage Two. Over the past 20 years Erin has played with a number of ceilidh and barn dance bands but most recently has been one of the lead musicians with the formidable Stumpy Oak Ceilidh Band, who are one of the busiest and best ceilidh bands in the country. Erin is a fiddle teacher and folk music workshop leader who specialises in folk styles and techniques from England, Ireland and Scotland. Erin regularly performs with the following bands and morris sides… Stumpy Oak - Ceilidh Band Cambridge based, dancefloor-packing band of professional, experienced ceilidh and barn dance musicians. Stumpy Oak boasts an unusually large sound. Fiery fiddle, accordion and guitar are complimented by guitar sub-octaves (giving a bass guitar sound) and a stompbox (like a bass drum). Options for further instruments include a bodhran and second fiddle. Lighting is included with every booking, adding to the atmosphere. A friendly, patient caller completes the line-up to talk guests through the dance moves prior to/during each dance so that everyone knows what to do and can have fun. Erin Brown & Barry Watson As a new, exciting side project to compliment their work with the popular Stumpy Oak ceilidh band, just-south-of-Ely residents Erin Brown & Barry Watson offer lively renditions of traditional folk music featuring vocals, fiddle, stomp box and accordion (plus occasional appearances from whistles and bouzouki). Songs and tunes are taken from England, Ireland, Scotland and further afield, but the accompaniment is typically stompy and English, with the odd syncopated Breton rhythm thrown in for good measure. The Brown Family The Brown Family have been performing together since the ‘children’ were old enough to hold instruments! They started doing public gigs in the late 90s when they started performing concerts in care homes and churches in the Newmarket area. Their influences are mainly Celtic in origin and they perform well-known chorus songs and tunes from around the British Isles. Parents Roger and Marian have been interested in folk music for more years than they care to remember and Roger was a founder member of East Anglian folk bands Don’t Forget the Donkey and Clutching at Straws. Unfortunately The Brown Family don’t often perform as a four-piece band as Adam has now moved to Glasgow – he can now be seen on stage, TV and in concert around the world with his two internationally renowned bands – RURA and Ímar. Sutton Masque Sutton Masque morris dance in the tradition taken from the Welsh/English border counties. Although founded relatively recently, the group continues to build a reputation for being one of the best border morris sides in the country. In their first five years they have performed and led workshops at some of the country’s leading festivals including Towersey Festival, Chippenham Folk Festival, IVFDF, Ely Folk Festival, Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing Festival and Lobster Potties in Sheringham, as well as attending the Joint Morris Organisation (JMO) Day of Dance. You will also find them during the summer months dancing at some of the finest ale establishments around the Fenland area, and entertaining the crowds at local beer festivals…..unsurprisingly, they’ve been known to enjoy a pint themselves from time to time!

Encore badges
8th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 8 years
Musicianship
Genres:
Folk, Ceilidh, Traditional English folk, Traditional Irish folk, Traditional Scottish folk, Scottish music
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Instruments:
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Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
See all event types
Other skills:
Instrumental teaching, Community music worker
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Erin's Song list

Irish Tunes
Banish Misfortune
Blackthorn Stick
Blarney Pilgrim
Boys of Malin
Calliope House
Cook in the Kitchen
Dever the Dancer
Devil and the Bailiff
Dingle Regatta
Dinkeys
Dusty Windowsills
Egan's Polka
Farewell to Whalley Range
Father Kelly
Hardiman the Fiddler
John Ryan's Polka
Lanigan's Ball
Lisnagun
Maggie in the Woods
Maid Behind the Bar
Morrisons
Mouse in the Kitchen
My Darling Asleep
O'Keefes
Old Favourite
Out on the Ocean
Rattlin Bog
Sporting Paddy
St Annes
Swaggering Jig
Tenpenny bit
The Convenience
The Kesh
Tripping up the Stairs
Irish Songs and Slower numbers
Black Velvet Band
Carrickfergus
Cliffs of Doneen
Come By the Hills
Curragh of Kildare
Down by the Sally Gardens
Fields of Athenry
Foggy Dew
Four Green Fields
Galway Girl - Steve Earle
Galway Shawl
Green Fields of France/Willie McBride
Holy Ground/Fine Girl You Are
Leaving of Liverpool
Red Is the Rose
Rocky Road to Dublin
Song For Ireland
Song for PJ
Spancil Hill
Spanish Lady
Tell Me Ma
Scottish Tunes
Andy D'jarlis
Balquidder Lassies
Cock of the North
Dark Island
Dashing White Sergeant
Drummond Castle
Hundred Pipes
Kerfunton
Neckbuster
Song of the Chanter
Soldiers Joy
Spootiskerry
Stan Chapmans
Staten Island
Scottish Favourites
Auld Lang Syne
Flower of Scotland
Hector the Hero
Leezie Lindsay
Loch Lomond
Marie's Wedding
Skye Boat Song
English Tunes
Bonny at Morn
Dark Girl Dressed in Blue
Lollipop Man
Michael Turners
Not for Joe
Paddy Careys
Rogues March
Salmon Tails
Seven Stars
Speed the Plough
Sweets of May
Twin Sisters
Upton Upon Severn Stick Dance
Customer questions

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

I always try my best to be flexible to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change slightly in the run up to the event just let us know.

How much time do you need to set up?

Usually set up is about 30-45 minutes before the performance time if a PA is required, otherwise it would be a matter of minutes for a solo fiddle performance.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

My set lists are crafted from countless performances and learning what works best to ensure guests have an amazing time. However, I'm definitely happy to chat through and make sure we find what works for your event.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes - I will provide all my own equipment. If a PA system is required I would need access to a power source.

Erin's Prices

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£60
Up to 1 hour£185
Up to 2 hours£200
Up to 3 hours£250
Packages
Solo Fiddle - Wedding ceremony
This includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.
£200
Solo Fiddle - Background Music
Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your event.
£250
Solo Fiddle - Drinks reception
Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your drinks reception.
£250
Fiddle & Piano Accordion/Piano Accompaniment - Wedding ceremony
This includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.
£400
Fiddle & Piano Accordion/Piano Accompaniment - Background Music
Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your event.
£500
Fiddle & Piano Accordion/Piano Accompaniment - Drinks reception
Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your drinks reception.
£500

Erin's Reviews

From customers:

C-
Catherine J
5 years ago

David and I thoroughly enjoyed the dancing and lots of my guests have been in touch today to say how enjoyable the evening was. Please thank Sarah; I thought she made everything really fun and was very patient and all you musicians were brilliant – thank you

F-
Flora F
5 years ago

Dear Barry, Erin, Sarah and Darren, I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for playing for us on Saturday evening. You were so fantastic – so many people have asked me where we found you/how to get in touch with you! Those who have been to ceilidhs before also commented on how you’re the best band they’ve heard and had (which I too agree with!).. I really really did appreciate your help and for just generally being absolutely fab and getting everyone involved & having a great time. I’m also sorry about my questionable dance moves toward the end…(or throughout the whole night some might say!!!). Oops… Again, the biggest thank you from me and on behalf of everyone who came. You made it a blast.

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