Fiddler

Holly Sheldrake

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(5.0)Read all 3 reviews
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About Holly

Fiddle player and caller with a wealth of experience across the UK and Europe, having performed at many festivals, public and private events
Fiddler
Hastings
Public liability insurance of £10 million

I'm a folk musician with a wealth of experience in playing and calling for ceilidhs, French dance music, Swedish dance music, Irish music. I performed extensively with the Climax Ceilidh Band, European Youth Folk Orchestra (EYFO) and currently with an Irish band The Twitten Revellers. I am in great demand as a fiddle player, but also have a lot of experience as a caller for ceilidhs both at public events for those who largely know the dances, and at private functions where no-one has experienced much or any ceilidh dancing before. Please note that I do not call to recordings, only to live music. I have also run many dance and music workshops, I am regularly booked as the 'musician' for a week or weekend with the Folk Camps Society, I lead regular music sessions in pubs and I teach maypole dancing/run Hasting May Queen.

Holly
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5 out of 5
3 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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5.0
Punctuality
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5.0

Holly's Reviews

From Encore customers:

AM
Adam M
3 months ago
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5 out of 5

Holly was amazing. Great communication before the event and she took song requests. She showed up early on the day and was all set-up ready to perform before the wedding party arrived at the reception venue. Her music was beautiful and was loved by all of our wedding guests, particularly by the bride! Would highly recommend Holly to anyone.

Reply from Holly
3 months ago

Thanks Adam, it was a pleasure to play for you all and a beautiful wedding party. Wishing you both happiness and joy :)

From other customers:

CG
Charles G
8 months ago, for a Bar / Club / Venue event in Crown Inn
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5 out of 5

Holly performed with her Irish Band The Twitten Revellers on St Patrick's Day in my bar. She did a top job, entertained my punters with her outstanding playing and songs. Highly recommend.

HJ
Helen J
1 year ago, for a Concert in St Helen's Rd
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5 out of 5

Holly is a very versatile and bright player. She has played for our maypole dancers every year for many years now, and her playing really brightens up the event. She is intuitive, able to adapt to the dancers and to my requirements as the dance teacher, and able to drive the dancing along too. We've been very lucky to have her play for us all these years.

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Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
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This act has been working with Encore for over 7 years

Holly's Song list

The knotted Chord
Morrisons
Jig Of Slurs
Athol Highlanders
Blackthorn Stick
Merry Blacksmith
The Banshee
Maid Behind The Bar
Cup Of Tea
High Reel
Trip To Durrow
Wedding Reel
Lost In The Loop
Belfast Hornpipe
7th Of January
Old Joe Clark
Mairi's Wedding
John Ryan's Polka
42 Pound Cheque
Ashokan Farewell
The Sweetness Of Mary
Josephin's Waltz
Drops Of Brandy
Foxhunters
The Butterfly
Kid On The Mountain
Father Kelly's
St Anne's Reel
Pipe On The Hob
Cooley's
Larry Grogan's
Tobin's Favourite
Rollicking Boys Of Tandragee
Finnegan's Wake
Break Of The Day
I'm Marching Inland
South Australia
The Colour Of Amber
Fine Sailing
Hoist The Colours
Customer questions

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

If your timings change please let me know as far in advance as you can. I will always try to accommodate time changes.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

My equipment can play you playlists around my performance.

How much time do you need to set up?

I like to have access at least 1 hour before the performance starts. Packing down is much quicker, usually 20 minutes.

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

I create a set list in advance which has a nice flow. If you require a specific tune or song please let me know, if I can I will include it.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes, I am a complete package.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

If you require a piece that I do not know, I am happy to learn and practice it for your event for an extra charge.
Musicianship
Genres:
Folk, Ceilidh, Traditional English folk, Traditional Irish folk, Traditional Scottish folk
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Instruments:
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Event types:
Wedding, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
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Other skills:
Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching, Community music worker
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