Mock Hobby Horse specialise in playing music and song popular in England from medieval times to the 17th century.

Their repertoire includes medieval and troubadour music from all over Europe; music and song from the Tudor and Stuart courts; country dance tunes from Playford; theatre music from Restoration England; traditional music and song and their own period style compositions.

Mock Hobby Horse are well known as wandering minstrels or strolling players, providing entertainment and atmosphere at historical events.

Mock Hobby Horse are:

Howard Frey	Mandolin, guitar, percussion, voice.
Julia Thomas	Leicestershire smallpipes, English concertina, recorder, whistle, voice.

Howard Frey and Julia Thomas have played music together almost as long as they have lived together in Totnes, Devon. They have played in country dance bands and were founding members of Sambaloco. Howard is currently studying middle eastern percussion which is spicing up the sound of some of the medieval music, and Julia's Open University degree in arts with a diploma in music has equipped her well to arrange and write music for Mock Hobby Horse. They established Mock Hobby Horse in 1995, naming the band after a tune in Playford's English Dancing Master. 

Meg Compton was a member between 1998 and 2008, enhancing the group with her voice and singing expertise. Meg is also a voice teacher specialising in rounds and vocal harmonies for inexperienced singers wanting to gain confidence and enjoy singing in a group.

In 2005 Mock Hobby Horse welcomed Simon Cassell (Percussion, saz and voice) and Nick Millington (bouzouki) into the medieval band.

Mike Edwards (bass viol and cello) enriched our tudor music in 2004, and continued to join us for some events until his untimely death in 2010.

Mock Hobby Horse is now available as a 4 or 5 piece band to play for medieval banquets and events, with if required medieval/tudor dance specialists to teach and demonstrate the dances.

Compagnie Giulia

Compagnie Giulia breathe new life into medieval music with their exciting instrumental sound and evocative singing. Their concerts, full of contrast and interest, include an opportunity to experience medieval dancing.Their repertoire of dance music and song derives from all over medieval Europe,with newly composed material to medieval texts by Julia Thomas.

Their debut as a 6 piece band in April 2006 was a sell out and warmly received.

Compagnie Giulia are:

Simon Cassell	Saz, percussion, voice
Meg Compton	Voice, bowed psaltery
Mike Edwards	Bass viol
Howard Frey	Mandolin, percussion
Nick Millington	Bouzouki
Julia Thomas	Bagpipe, concertina, voice.

Compagnie Giulia Sample tracks

For information and/or bookings contact Julia Thomas