The members of Bourdons came together to present incidental music at the UVic Medieval Conference and have done so for several years. Their repertoire covers music both sacred and secular from the 11th through the 15th Centuries. The word “bourdon” comes from the French word for “bumblebee”. In music, it refers to the drone, a constantly held note, usually lower than the melody voice(s). It was widely used in medieval music, providing texture and simple harmonies by generating different harmonic intervals as it combines with the melody.

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Bourdon also refers to the drone strings on a hurdy gurdy. The English equivalent was “burden”, an archaic term which referred to a drone on a bagpipe or a recurring refrain in a piece of music.

 

Bourdons recently appeared in the main Signature Series of the Early Music Society of the Islands, presenting their program of songs of the Cantigas de Santa Maria. 

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Members of Bourdons are:

Arian Aminalroaya - frame drums

Linda Donn - rebec, recorder and vielle

Douglas Hensley - gittern, lute, oud, vihuela

Bill Jamieson - bagpipes, recorders, shawm

Gwen Jamieson - voice, harp, hurdy gurdy