Ceilidh caller

Neil Valentine

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About Neil

Unforgettable Ceilidhs filled with laughter, music and dance! Neil's expert calling gaurantees fun for all and memories to last a lifetime!
Ceilidh caller
Hampshire
Public liability insurance of ÂŁ10 million

Neil Valentine is a versatile and passionate musician, composer, and educator known for his ability to create lively and inclusive musical experiences. With over two decades of experience, Neil specializes in leading ceilidhs, calling dances, and creating unforgettable events through his dynamic music performances. He has performed at various venues, including intimate village halls and grand castles, captivating audiences with his unique blend of live music and storytelling. Beyond ceilidhs, Neil works on community music projects and educational workshops, fostering creativity through hands-on music making. His expertise in conducting orchestras, composing, and teaching shines through his work, as he seamlessly bridges different musical styles, from traditional to contemporary. Neil is also a highly regarded composer, frequently collaborating with schools, communities, and other musicians to craft new compositions. His mission is to inspire participation, whether through ceilidhs, workshops, or live performances. His approachable style and boundless energy ensure that every event he leads is filled with joy, excitement, and a sense of connection. With his warm, charismatic personality and deep understanding of music, Neil Valentine is not just a performer but a facilitator of fun and shared experiences. Whether it's a wedding ceilidh, a corporate event, or a community project, Neil knows how to bring people together, helping them feel at ease and encouraging them to embrace the joy of dancing and music. If you’re looking for a ceilidh leader or music facilitator who will make your event unforgettable, Neil Valentine is your go-to. His expertise, enthusiasm, and personal approach will leave a lasting impression on every guest, creating memories that will last long after the music has stopped.

Neil
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5 out of 5
4 verified reviews

Neil's Reviews

From customers:

MS
Matt S
2 months ago, for a Private event in Cot Ln
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5 out of 5

Neil's calling with my band, Bow and Box, was nothing short of brilliant. His clear and concise instructions ensured that even the most inexperienced dancers could follow along effortlessly. We look forward to working with Neil again and would highly recommend him!

MC
Mike C
2 months ago, for a Private event in Cot Ln
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5 out of 5

A great trio who made our Harvest Barn Dance something special. The music and dances were well thought out for the broad range of people and talent we had. The dance floor was full the entire time. Great night. Thank you!

Read all 8 reviews

Neil's Song list

Cèilidh Music:
Dark Girl
Farewell to Whiskey
John Ryan's Polka
O'Keefes Slide
Denis Murphy's Slide
Irish Washerwoman
The Rambler
Quay Fair
Waiting for the Feds
Soldiers Joy
High Call Cap
Britches Full of Stitches
Denis Murphy's Polka
The Merry Blacksmith
The Banshee
Saint Annes Reel
Scotsman Over the Border
Nipper
Drowsy Maggie
Tobins Favourite
Major Mackie
My Darling Asleep
Tenpenny Bit
Haste to the Wedding
Cock of the North
Joy of the Wedlock
Humours of Whiskey
The Butterfly
Barry Desmond
Sweeneys
and many more!
Dances to include:
Circassian Circle
Strip the Willow
Cumberland Square Eight
Dashing White Sargeant
VIrginia Reel
Four to Four
Clopton Bridge
Oxo Reel
Blaydon Races
Other fiddle tunes for Ceilidh include:
Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine
Brenda Stubbert’s
Calliope House
Cellosaurus Stomp
Chez Seychelles
Chinquapin Hunting
The Cliffs of Moher
Cock of the North
Crested Hens
Crooked Stovepipe
Cutting Ferns
Devil’s Dream
Egan’s Polka
Father Kelly’s
Fisher’s Hornpipe
Reel de Gaspé
Inisheer
Jamie Allen
Jefferson and Liberty
Jolie Blonde
Josefin’s Dopvals
June Apple
Kitchen Girl
Magic Fiddle
La Maison de Glace
The Merry Blacksmith
Midnight on the Water
Minor Swing
Reel de Montréal
Morrison’s Jig
My Cape Breton Home
Old Joe
Perrodin Two-Step
Petronella
Pig Ankle Rag
The Reconciliation
Road to Boston
The Sailor’s Wife
Shove That Pig’s Foot a Little Farther in the Fire
Slider’s Reel
Da Slockit Light
Small Fox, Big Field
Spotted Pony
The Stool of Repentance
Swinging on a Gate
Trip to Moscow
Whiskey Before Breakfast
String Quartet Music to include:
Pachelbel
Bruno Mars – Marry You
Bruno Mars – Just the way you are
Christina Perri – A Thousand Years
Huey Lewis & the News – The Power of Love Star Wars – Cantina Band
Ben E. King – Stand By Me
John Legend – All of Me
Mancini – Moon River
The Proclaimers – 500 Miles
David Bowie – Life on Mars
Game of Thrones
Beach Boys – Good Vibrations
Elvis – Can’t Help Falling in Love
Bon Jovi – Livin’ on a Prayer
Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time
ELO – Mr Blue Sky
Flying Pickets – Only You
Rocky theme (Gonna Fly Now)
Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You
Don’t Stop Believin’
Hallelujah
Here Comes the Sun
Something
Viva la vida
What a Wonderful World
As Time Goes By
Autumn Leaves
Blue Moon
Cheek to Cheek
Fawlty Towers
Getting Sentimental Over You
Goldfinger
Jeeves and Wooster
La Vie En Rose
Misty
On The Street Where You Live
Gershwin – Summertime
ABBA – Waterloo
When I Fall In Love
Madness – It Must Be Love
Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody
Etta James – At Last
Everlasting Love
You’re My First, My Last, My Everything
Nobody Does It Better
Des’ree – Kissing You
Elbow – One Day Like This
Dylan – Make You Feel My Love
Blur – The Universal
We Have All The Time In The World
Godfather theme
Blue Tango
In The Mood
La Bamba
One Hand, One Heart
Por una cabeza
Seven by the Beatles
Queen – You’re My Best Friend
Starship – Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now
Toto – Africa
Come Fly With Me
Queen – Somebody to Love
Rolling Stones – Wild Horses
ABBA – Gimme Gimme Gimme
ABBA – Take A Chance On Me
Adele – Skyfall
Adele – Set Fire to the Rain
Amy Winehouse – Back to Black
Amy Winehouse – Valerie
Guns’n’Roses – Sweet Child o’ Mine
A Foggy Day
Cock Linnet
Irish Sherry
Nice Work If You Can Get It
The Man I Love
Beach Boys – God Only Knows
Stevie Wonder – Signed Sealed Delivered
Ed Sheeran – Perfect
Ed Sheeran – Shape Of You
Turtles – Happy Together
The Beatles – I Want To Hold Your Hand
Faure - Pavane
Canon in D – Pachelbel
Hornpipe from the Water Music – Handel
Air On The G String – Bach
Bridal Chorus – Wagner
Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba – Handel
Largo from Winter – Vivaldi
Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring – Bach
Rondeau from Abdelazer – Purcell
Largo from Xerxes – Handel
Ave Verum Corpus – Mozart
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik – Mozart
Minuet – Boccherini
Quartet 2 in D – Mozart
Hallelujah from the Messiah – Handel
Divertimento in D – Mozart
Nessun Dorma – Puccini
Wedding March – Mendelssohn
Serenade – Haydn
Trumpet Voluntary – Clarke
Sleeping Beauty Waltz – Tchaikovsky
Minuet in G – Beethoven
Clair De Lune – Debussy
Gymnopedie No.1 –Satie
Meditation – Massenet
La Rejouissance – Handel
Habanera from Carmen – Bizet
Largo from New World Symphony – Dvorák
Wedding Day at Troldhaugen – Grieg
Humoresque – Dvorák
Le Cygne – Saint-Saens
Waltz – Brahms
Pavane – Faure
Nimrod from the Enigma Variations – Elgar
Für Elise – Beethoven
Pizzicato Polka – Strauss
Chanson de Matin – Elgar
Salut d’Amour – Elgar
and many more!
Musicianship
Genres:
Ceilidh, Christmas, Classical, Baroque, Classical crossover, Early music, Contemporary classical, Film / TV music, Electronic, Ambient, Folk, Bluegrass, Country, Folk rock, Traditional English folk, Traditional Irish folk, Traditional Scottish folk, Jazz, Gypsy jazz, World music
See all genres
Instruments:
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Event types:
Wedding, Virtual event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Christmas party, Birthday party, New Year's Eve, Burns night, Cruise, Recording session, Hotel / Restaurant event, Church service
See all event types
Other skills:
Arranger, Composer, Songwriter, Orchestrator, Transcription, Ableton Live, Fluent improviser, Live looping, Instrumental teaching, Composition teaching, Animateur, Community music worker
See all skills