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How
we came to this music
Damhsa
is an Irish Dance & Music group formed by fiddler Chris Dyson,
his wife Karen and their dancing children Joe & Emma.
At
this time Chris had become more involved with the Leeds Branch of
Comhaltas Coeltoiri Eireann (CCE) and was regularly playing music
with Leeds CCE branch member Michael Tennyson. It was here that
Damhsa began in 2003.
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| The
dancers in action |
The
main influence for the dancers was of course `Riverdance` which
brought Irish dancing to the attention of the masses.
For
the musicians there were many influences but we based our music
on very traditional lines in the style of Ireland's top group, The
Chieftains.
We
try to make good use of the harp playing some O`Carolan compositions
in addition to the jigs & reels that are expected.
Where
we play
The
dancers have all competed for many years on the `Feis` circuit,
most of them at world Championship level.
Irish music & dance in Leeds is very strong and there are some
great music sessions. All the Damhsa musicians are regularly found
at the session along with the Leeds Ceili Band, Leeds CCE &
some other excellent local & visiting musicians.
The
Songs
Eleanor
Plunket was a 17th century itinerant harper. He would travel Ireland
visiting the country houses to perform and in payment for hospitality
would compose music, which he named after his patron.
The
hornpipe is very much a dance set & in a live performance the
heavy shoe rhythms add a great deal to the excitement & feel
of this piece.
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