On Friday I played violin for a beautiful wedding in the very stunning Harbour Hotel Salcombe for Laura and Josh. It was an electric violin day with 'Wildest Dreams' from Bridgerton for the entrance of the bridal party. I particularly enjoyed arranging and learning 'Going Home' from the film The Local Hero for the signing of the register. This was for Josh and all the Newcastle Fans in the guests! Everybody exited to 'I believe in a thing called Love' by The Darkness on Violin! It was awesome! I then played for a couple of hours while guests had canapes and drinks. Lovely day. Thank you to Laura Louise Hall for being a brilliant wedding planner on the day.
South Devon Rock Choir Big Sing - Saturday July 6th Plymouth. 275 Rockies coming together to celebrate Rock Choir in South Devon. A truly spectacular day with a lot of emotional and powerful singing! Come and join Rock Choir in South Devon. Choirs in Torquay, Plymouth, Newton Abbot and Dawlish. www.rockchoir.com #torquay #plymouth #newtonabbot #dawlish #teignmouth
Another fabulous afternoon playing at a beautiful wedding at the very beautiful Rockbeare Manor. Thanks to Steph and the staff as always for looking after us. We had an afternoon of classical music which is always nice. We played the very gorgeous 'La Califfa' for the brides entrance - what a melody that is! We played for just under 4 hours today for the guests who were very appreciative. #weddingquartet #exevalleystringquartet #devonquartet
Plymouth Armed Forces Day 2024. I am feeling very proud today after another fantastic performance at Armed Forces Day in Plymouth. You all look so smart and thank you so much for your patience with lining up and getting all the little details just right. It makes a huge difference. I cannot tell you how many people stopped me on the way home to say how amazing the Rock Choir was. Well done everyone! Congratulations also to those Rockies doing their first gig with us. I hope you enjoyed it! Rock Choir #plymouth #plymoutharmedforcesday
Lovely Wedding at Upton Barn & Walled Garden near Collumpton last Friday. We are becoming regular visitors to this venue now and it is set in the beautiful Devon countryside. We played Pachelbels Canon for the Bridal party to enter, Arrival of the Queen of Sheeba and Marry You by Bruno Mars for the signing of the register an then we played one of our new arrangements 'The Theme Tune from Friends' for the exit of the guests. A very appreciative crowd with lots of lovely feedback.
What a fabulous weekend we spent together. Saturday was our very first trip to Higher Egbeer Farm nr Cheriton Bishop which was beautiful and rustic. Sunday we returned to a very familiar venue Rockbeare Manor nr Exeter. Today we played a very special request. 'English Rose' by Paul Weller was very close to the bride's heart and was chosen for her entrance music. We always love writing special arrangements for couples because it makes their day even more special and personal. 5 weddings played at in June with another 3 to go. Loving our jobs! #weddingquartet #exevalleystringquartet
Lovely road trip with my string quartet Exe Valley String Quartet.Not everyday we get to accompany two opera singers. It was a special experience. #flowerduet.
Another fabulous Devon venue, this time down by Tavistock at the very beautiful Bradstone Manor Farm. Beautiful surroundings and beautiful summer weather. Just a duo today with Richard on the violin and Lucy on the cello. We played a range of special requests including Canon in D, Concerning Hobbits, Everlasting Love, Wildest Dreams and one of our favourites, Teenage Dirtbag! What a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon in June!
Awesome day with my Plymouth Rockies. Race for Life 2024. Always a privilege to support this event. 95 Rockies singing and cheering for a good 2 hours in very hot conditions. Hard Core Rockies!! Well done to those doing their 1st gig with us. You were all awesome. Well done to everyone! #plymouth Plymouth Race for Life Rock Choir
On Saturday we travelled down to Dartmouth for another beautiful wedding in a stunning location. The ceremony was at the Guildhall in Dartmouth and then we took the ferry over to Kingswear Yacht Club playing with the River Dart in the background. Lots of new requests today including Hymn to the fallen, Out of Africa and Lift me up from Black Panther. Lots of film music today with a sprinkling of classical favourites and even Guns and Roses. The couple were lovely and extremely appreciative of our music.
I completed my mini wedding tour yesterday back in beautiful Salcombe. I was at Cliff House overlooking the water and all the bank holiday sailing. Another stunning wedding venue. Played all electric violin this time as the music requests were more pop and upbeat and included 'Celebrate' by Kool and the Gang and 'Someone you Loved' by Lewis Capaldi. I'm now looking forward to a few days off. (Honestly!)
It's a busy few weeks for the string quartet now as we enter the wedding season. Today was our first visit to Watermouth Cove Weddings in North Devon. Well worth the drive up from Dawlish. What a stunning place to get married. Beautiful grounds and beautiful views. Fantastic staff who were so helpful. Great gig today. Music requests included Concerning Hobbits and 'Married Life' from the film 'Up'. We then got to play through a whole set of rock and pop classics as the guests mingled on the beach!
I played at one of my favourite wedding venues yesterday.@Brickhouse Vineyard is such a beautiful setting for a small intimate wedding ceremony and reception. Congratulations to Lizzie and Pasquale! Music requests included the feather theme from Forrest Gump, Everything by Michael Buble and L O V E Nat King Cole. A lovely day!
What a ten days it has been. Four Rock Choir shows all sold out. 280 choir members performed in front of a collective audience of over 1000 people. We have raised the best part of £7500 for local charities that are close to the hearts of the choir members. It has been an absolute pleasure to sing in such beautiful venues with great acoustics in front of wonderful audiences. All four Rock Choirs really stepped up to the mark and performed brilliantly and with such life, vigour, excitement and emotion. Top job! I really do have the best job in the world.
Totnes Christmas Market 2023. Totnes is a very special town in South Devon that creates it's own wonderful unique atmosphere all year around but particularly at Christmas. We love singing in Totnes. Well done everyone for a thoroughly festive and musical evening. #plymouth #torquay #teignmouth #newtonabbot
Plymouth December 2nd 2023. The first of four sell out charity Christmas shows in South Devon. A great first show in front of a lively and appreciative packed audience of well over 500. The Plymouth rockies were on fire and sang brilliantly. The programme included a mix of Rock Choir classics like 'Sweet child of mine' and 'Going Loco down in Acapulco' and Christmas belters like 'I wish it could be Christmas everyday. £3000 raised for local charities. Great night. Next stop... Torquay on Monday.
Gig number three this weekend - certainly a challenge for all concerned. Plympton Christmas Fair - Singing in the rain! Well done to everyone for singing so well and with such professionalism. The small audience very much appreciated the show. Well done everyone and a special well done to those Plymouth Rockies singing at their first gig today! You were fabulous. I hope that you have all dried out now!
A big Rock Choir weekend this weekend. Saturday night, gig 2 - Teignmouth Christmas Lights 2023. Always a lovely gig with a very appreciative crowd. The weather was kind and festive. Teignmouth Rockies - you did us all proud. You sounded awesome and looked very smart and professional. Well done everyone but especially well done to the large number of Teignmouth Rockies performing at their first gig - you were brilliant and I hope you enjoyed the experience and are ready for more!
I have just played at a cosey autumnal wedding at one of my favourite venues @boveycastlehotel. Very traditional feel with the bridal chorus and the wedding March and some Bridgerton in the middle. Always a pleasure to play at Bovey Castle.