Archive for July, 2011
Wedding at Weston Manor, Oxfordshire
On Friday, Emma (viola) and I performed as a string duo for a couple who had flown over from Australia to get married at Weston Manor in Oxfordshire. The wedding ceremony itself took place in a part of the garden which was enclosed by high hedges. As it was an overcast day, we were able [...]
Wedding Reception at the Three Horseshoes, Radnage
Yesterday, Julia and I performed as a violin / cello duo for a wedding reception held at the Three Horseshoes in Radnage. It was a warm, sunny day and we were positioned in an enclave within the marquee which was perfect both for the drinks reception and the wedding breakfast.
We mainly played a selection of [...]
String Players - Eliminating Anxiety and Tendonitis….a workshop
As a violinist, I’ve been very lucky to have had the opportunity to study and develop my musicianship with a wonderful teacher - Kato Havas OBE. Kato has developed a method of teaching and playing (called the New Approach) which enables string musicians to play without tension and to connect fully with the music. This way of [...]
Wedding at Hunton Park, Hertfordshire
On Saturday, the quartet played for a lovely wedding held at St Mary’s Church in the Old Town of Hemel Hempstead, followed by the reception nearby at Hunton Park. The spacious church afforded us plenty of room to perform and the music projected effortlessly during the ceremony. The church organist was excellent and we really enjoyed [...]
Concert at West End House, Cheddington
Last Sunday, Adrian Smith (Viola) and I gave an intimate concert in the garden of a local private house - the event was held jointly in aid of the St Giles Church Bell Restoration Fund and Cancer Research UK. Although there are many ‘picnic concerts’ of classical music which involve a full sized orchestra, this [...]
Beethoven Violin Concerto with St Giles Orchestra
On Saturday the 25th June, I gave a performance of the Beethoven Violin Concerto with the St Giles Orchestra from Oxford. The concert was conducted by Geoffrey Bushell and the orchestra led by Emily Ormerond.
It was the second time I’d played the piece with an orchestra (the first being 18 months ago) and it was an altogether [...]
Wedding at Caxton, Cambridgeshire
Last Saturday, the quartet played for a wedding in Caxton, Cambridgeshire. We started in St Andrew’s Church and played music as guests entered the church and took their seats. The bride entered to Handel’s Arrival of the Queen of Sheba with the Massenet Meditation played during the signing of the register. The couple exited to [...]
Computer problems!
Last week was a bit fraught when we suddenly developed computer problems. The computer wouldn’t boot up and even ‘turning it on and off again’ didn’t work. With running the business from home, it is amazing how much of a lifeline having a functional PC has become. It’s not just a case of answering emails, sending [...]
Wedding at Gaynes Park, Essex
Last Sunday, the quartet played for a wedding at Gaynes Park near Epping in Essex. It was a very hot day and as a result, much ’setting up’ time was spent attempting to find a shady place in the ceremony room which was exposed to the full glare of the sun. Once we had draped [...]
Wedding at Hinwick House
Last Saturday, the quartet were delighted to be invited to play for a wedding at Hinwick House in Northamptonshire. It was an event we were particularly looking forward to as we already knew the bride Nina who (in her role as an events co-ordinator) had heard us play several times at other weddings and functions.
Our [...]
