Pandemonium
Pandemonium in Wantage!
Pandemonium is a versatile music group based in Wantage, Oxfordshire.
We provide musical entertainment for social and fund-raising events, private parties, celebrations and ceilidhs (barn dances). We also play background music to help set the atmosphere at events (e.g. garden parties).
The members of Pandemonium sing and play a variety of instruments, including: melodeon, recorder, English concertina, bodhran (Irish hand drum), guitar, bass, violin, piccolo, Irish banjo and mandolin. Our repertoire includes tunes, monologues, recitations, and poetry – serious and light-hearted – and we sing many popular songs. If you have any special requests we will always try our best to oblige.
Wherever we play, we tailor our programme to fit the particular event and the emphasis is always on fun and informality.
If you’d like some Pandemonium at your event, then please contact us using our Contact Us page.
The Band
Lucia plays the fiddle. “I learned to play the violin after the neighbours complained about my early-morning piano practice. I like to think that I have improved since then, and love making music with my friends in Pandemonium, and seeing how music, dance and song brings a room full of people together in joyful harmony”!
Pam plays the bodhran (Irish hand drum), sings and recites very amusing monologues. “I like to beat my drum with great gusto – along with bells, rattles and other percussive things that help to make Pandemonium the great band it is.”
Wanda plays the melodeon, bass drum and sings. “My love for the sound of the squeeze box was triggered by the traditional folk music of Switzerland and Germany, and dancing with various Scottish country dance groups around the world.”
Anne sings, plays flute and is developing her guitar playing . “Playing with Pandemonium is great fun; the singing is a joy. I am at my happiest singing and making music, essential for the soul I think! The variety of venues and people we play for has always been appealing and helps us improve our repertoire.”
Andrew sings, plays flute and calls some dances. “Accountant by day, musician and performer by night – a happy mix for me. There’s nothing quite like the challenge of the ‘B’ presto when Wanda really gets going.”
Not Forgetting…
Our guest musician friends who play with Pandemonium now and again. Diney and Graham to name but a few.
Nor…
Those who used to play regularly in the band, but have since left, such as Carol, Howard, Marta, Ruth and Sarah.
History
Pandemonium was formed in 1992 when five members of the Church Choir of St. John Vianney, Wantage got together for a social evening in the Church Hall. We had no idea then that we had begun a musical journey which would lead to us performing all over Oxfordshire and beyond. The evening proved to be such a success that it was decided to form a permanent group, playing and singing traditional folk and ceilidh music on flute, recorder, guitar, mandolin, melodeon and percussion. It was Ruth who started Pandemonium, although she no longer lives in Oxfordshire.
