The Playford Players are composed of guitarist Philip Corke from Burlington and hammer dulcimer player Roland Packer from Hamilton.  They have performed their blend of traditional instrumental music at a wide range of events throughout Southern Ontario since 1982.  Having met while studying composition at Toronto's Royal Conservatory of Music, they began writing eclectic arrangements of traditional English, Irish and Appalachian tunes for hammer dulcimer and guitar. Eventually their sound expanded with the addition of mandolin, bowed psaltery and Irish bouzouki, and by composing original material to complement their traditional repertoire. Their resulting blend of folk, pop, jazz and classical styles has been described as "light, bright, lilting music that sets the toes, and the soul, tapping."

Philip Corke and Roland Packer of The Playford Players are looking forward to their first appearance at Discovery Harbour on July 17. "The 19th century ambience of this picturesque historic site will provide a wonderful background for our performances. We will enjoy sharing our unique settings of traditional music with visitors at this famous marine heritage site”, they noted.

To add to the musical day, Discovery Harbour’s costumed staff plans to perform sea shanties and other traditional music on the historic site.  Families can also enjoy fun hands-on activities including 19^th century games, and on-deck demonstrations aboard the magnificent ships H.M.S. Tecumseth and H.M.S. Bee.  Tea and lemonade will be served in the lovely Keating House, and a new exhibit entitled “Canada at Play” on loan from the Royal Ontario Museum can also be seen.