Wedding at Great Fosters Hotel, Egham
Posted in Weddings | No Comments »
Last Friday we were asked to perform at a wedding held at the Great Fosters Hotel in Egham, Surrey. Whereas the evening before we had played as a string duo consisting of a violin with cello, this time it was a violin with viola that had been requested.
Almost all of our repertoire is arranged for both violin with viola, or violin with cello (apart from some specific chamber music that is written for a particular combination), so it’s really down to the personal choice of each client which instruments they would prefer.
The wedding at Great Fosters was ideal for a string duo and as there were in the region of 90 guests. After the ceremony, we joined everyone on the lawn at the back of the venue for a drinks reception where we performed many pieces from our popular and light repertoire to create an upbeat and celebratory atmosphere.
Corporate Hospitality Event at Highgate House
Posted in Functions and Events | No Comments »
On Thursday we returned once more as a string duo (violin and cello) to play for a corporate drinks reception at Highgate House in Northamptonshire. This time we were located in the conservatory area and performed for a group of around 30 people who enjoyed music ranging from themes from ‘Swan Lake’ to renditions of the Overture to Rossini’s ‘Barber of Seville’ which I have arranged to sound full for string duo. Part of the skill in arranging music for just two instruments is in making it sound complete so that the listener doesn’t feel as if there is anything missing. Arranging for string duo can take considerable time for this reason as plenty of ‘double stops’ in both parts can give the impression of four part harmony.
Overall it was a delightful evening and we look forward to returning to play at Highgate House again in the very near future.
Blessing at Sharnbrook House
Posted in Weddings | No Comments »
Following on from the Masonic Function earlier on Sunday morning, we drove to Sharnbrook in Bedfordshire to play for a Blessing Ceremony by a couple who met and married in Indonesia. It is not uncommon to have two bookings during one day on peak weekend dates over the summer as plenty of people host garden parties, weddings and other celebrations on weekends. Although we don’t book out more than one group at the same time, wherever possible we do fit two events in on one day if we are 100% sure that there is plenty of travel and ’setting up’ time in between finishing playing at the first event and starting at the next.
As the couple joined a circle of family and friends we played the whole of Pachelbel’s Canon in D. For the signing of the register I had especially arranged a piece called ‘Doa’ by a contemporary Indonesian singer called Rafli. It was a special touch to the day as it was a piece which meant a lot to both of them and the classical interpretation of it apparently gave it a different feel.
After the ceremony, drinks were served to a selection of classical and popular music which added nicely to the ambiance of this special day.
Function at Stowe School
Posted in Functions and Events | No Comments »
After such a long drive to Gloucestershire on Saturday, last Sunday morning we were pleased to begin the day with an engagement which was quite local to us in Stowe School, near Buckingham. The function was a Masonic event held in the school and outside in the grounds. We played in a large room with a domed ceiling which had a reverberant acoustic. As guests entered at the front, they were greeted by the sound of the quartet and a selection of uplifting, yet relaxed music to suit a Sunday morning function - many visitors paused for a few minutes in order to enjoy the atmosphere created by our playing.
Wedding at Kingscote Park House
Posted in Weddings | No Comments »
Last Saturday we travelled across to Gloucestershire to play for a wedding that started off in St Mary’s Church, Painswick with the reception moving to Kingscote Park House afterwards. As the couple had engaged the services of an organist, we were only required to play before the ceremony and during the signing of the register. Although a string quartet can accompany hymns beautifully and play the traditional wedding marches / exit pieces, these were played on the organ on this occasion. For the reception itself, we provided a mixture of light and upbeat music to keep the guests entertained during drinks and photographs. Kingscote Park House had a large marquee set up for the wedding breakfast and the gardens were adorned by beautiful flowers, making it a perfect setting for a wedding on a beautiful summers day.
