Archive for June, 2009
Wedding Recitals
So often when we’re hired to perform at weddings and partnership ceremonies, we are asked to supply background music whilst guests mingle or during photographs.
Yesterday we were asked for something a little bit different - a small recital (with pieces chosen by the couple) as part of the days proceedings. As there were approximately 30 [...]
Music for University Graduation Ceremonies
One of our most rewarding regular engagements is playing for a series of graduation ceremonies at Oxford and this is the third year in which we have been invited to provide music. As we’re usually booked for a whole block of playing work over several days, we give a special ‘tied rate’ to the University so that it’s [...]
Wedding at Highgate House
This Saturday we were pleased once again to return to Highgate House - a wedding venue very near to Northampton where we play several times a year.
Although we’ve played many times at Highgate as a full string quartet, this particular wedding was a more intimate gathering of around 70 guests and a string duo was [...]
Classical Concert at the Swiss Gardens
Last night we were very privileged to return to give another open air concert in the Swiss Gardens in Bedfordshire. Although we play for quite a few weddings in the Swiss Gardens, we particularly look forward to giving these evening recitals as the audiences are always really lovely and it’s wonderful to be playing in such beautiful [...]
Pachelbels Canon in D for Weddings
No matter how large the size of a string quartets repertoire, or how many other music choices there are on offer - it’s probably true to say that 99% of brides who book a string quartet choose to walk up the aisle to Pachelbel’s Canon in D.
So this week - in response to popular demand, we have recorded and [...]
The Bells of St Giles
String players are accustomed to looking after extremely old, valuable instruments - and with some members of the Manor House String Quartet owning violins, violas or cellos that are centuries old, we’re all extremely conscious of how carefully they need to be treated if these instruments are to survive and play music for generations to come. Talking to [...]
Playing for outdoor weddings and events
Just had another busy weekend where we played for two weddings and a birthday party. Despite the weather being a bit unsettled, we still managed to play outdoors on Friday when we returned for another wedding at Notley Abbey near Aylesbury.
Although the wedding ceremony was outdoors, by law the registration process (signing the register etc) has to be conducted under a [...]
Music for a military dinner
This week we had another chance to play for a military function - this time at a barracks in Bedfordshire. We usually play for several of these events a year at various barracks, either providing music during a formal officers dinner, or during a drinks reception in the absence of a military band.
As usual, we [...]
Last minute weddings…..
Whereas over the last few years, we’ve usually found couples enquiring about a string quartet for their wedding several years in advance, with 2009 a year of financial uncertainty for many people, it seems that there’s a real trend at the moment for couples to put off booking a wedding until a few weeks beforehand- [...]
Violent and Tormented!
Sunday was a busy day with a trip to MBJ studios in the morning to record some more samples for the string quartet playlist page. We opted to record some real wedding favourites such as Pachelbels Canon, the Bridal Chorus, Bridal March and a hymn! As usual, we kept studio time to a minimum and recorded [...]
