What a wonderful Rock Choir night we had at the The New Continental in Plymouth. Rockies turned out in their numbers in torrential rain to support the Stroke Association Charity Dinner last night. We discreetly arrived and prepared our Flash Mob which was so much fun as the guests had absolutely no idea we were coming. Well done Andrea for leading that for us - you were awesome! We then performed a short but very lively set of songs for a very enthusiastic, lively and keen crowd who had a great time singing and dancing with us! Many of the guests had only just recovered from a stroke so to see their energy and thirst for a fun night was so inspiring. One of our most enjoyable gigs I think - thoroughly rewarding! Well done 

Well it was one thing having the opportunity to perform at the BBC Proms in the Park 2019 on the Hyde Park stage with the BBC Concert Orchestra but it was something completely different to get the opportunity in the lead up to this enormous show to go and work with the orchestra in the Abbey Rd studios!  I am a huge fan of The Beatles and love their music so have the chance to go and work in the studios where those iconic and world changing songs were created is yet another magical experience that will remain with me forever! As we pulled up to the front gate you could feel the atmosphere and then when we entered the studio building it was everywhere!  There was a very tangible feeling of history, creativity and nostalgia!  This is where a lot of their music was created and I am woking here this morning! 

As a professional musician I am often lucky enough to have the opportunity to make wonderful memories.  Last weekend was more than that.  To spend three days with some of the nicest professionals you would ever like to meet, work long hours together preparing for the show of a lifetime and unwinding together is something I will treasure forever. It is so difficult to put into words how it felt.  To be on the Hyde Park stage with 80 talented singers that was accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra was magical enough.  To then go on and perform our set in front on 40,000 people of which 10,000 were friends and family lifted the experience to another level beyond my levels of interpretation!!  We shared back stage with all of the other artists and shared stories together - The Kingdom Choir, Chrissie Hynde, Jack Savoretti, Michael Ball, Aled Jones and Russell Watson to name a few. It was briliiant and a memory that will always be with me.  Thank you Rock Choir and thank you Rockies!

Today I had the privilege of playing for Justine and Bens wedding in Salcombe. What a beautiful place to get married with the harbour as the back drop. Lots of musical theatre and film music today all on the electric violin. I also accompanied an amazing vocal quartet on the piano in the signing of the register as they sang original arrangements of 'Is this Love' by Bob Marley and 'All you need is love' by The Beatles. A fab day!

We have so many beautiful places on our doorstep here in Devon. Today I had the honour of playing for Hayley and Dean as they were married at the stunning New Barton Barns in Wembury. Hayley walked down the isle to 'Paradise' by Coldplay and then we had 'A Thousand Years' and 'Stand by Me' during the signing of the register. The wedding party started the celebrations by walking out of the ceremony to 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' by Queen. I then accompanied the guests drink reception with this amazing view of the sea. I played electric violin for this programme. Just Wonderful!

Orchestral gig with British Philharmonic Concert Orchestra in Weston Super Mare. Last night of the proms classics as well as a full programme of British Orchestral music. Really enjoyable play!! I particularly enjoyed playing the Pirates of the Caribbean Orchestral Suite and the Phantom of the Opera was amazing!  We now go off to The Hexagon Theatre in Yeovil on Friday for the next show.

We played at the very beautiful Bovey Castle today for another beautiful wedding. Slightly 'light jazz' feel to the requests today. Etta James 'At Last' and Gershwins 'Summerime' for the signing of the register. Really lovely pieces to play as a quartet. We played 'Signed Sealed Delivered' for the exit of the bridal party which was a new one for us but again very cool to play. 'Beaky' the parrot liked the music very much and even 'wolf whistled' some of the ladies at the wedding!

What a scorching day it was Saturday for the wedding of Hannah and Richard. This was our second visit to the very beautiful Ever After - A Dartmoor Wedding. A busy gig as we played for pre ceremony drinks on the lawn. We then moved onto the ceremony where we played Hey Jude and Stand by Me. As the groom was a big Spurs fan we were asked to play the wedding party and guests out to the theme from the Champions League Football show. It went down well with all the guests. Then off to play lots of upbeat pop and rock covers for the main drinks reception. Congratulations to Hannah and Richard. Fabulous wedding!

Lovely wedding on Friday at the very beautiful Haldon Belvedere (Lawrence Castle). The view across Exeter in the sunshine was stunning. I was on the piano on Friday playing for the guests as they took their seats and settled down. We then had the traditional Bridal March for Ellie's entrance, A Thousand Years and All of me for the signing of the register and then All you need is love for the exit of the bridal party. Nice to be on the piano for a change. Congratulations to Ellie and Jeffrey on your wedding day.

Fabulous gig today in my home town of Dawlish.  Carnival week is in full swing and over 100 rockies entertained the crowds with an amazing set of songs ranging from rock songs to ballads to The Greatest Showman.  A thoroughly professional performance from all of the rockies.  We sounded amazing and looked so smart.  We have been inundated with positive comments from the crowds and from family and friends.  It was a great way to end the Rock Choir 'season'.  Next 'season' starts with a big one - The Proms in the Park - Hyde Park London! Thank you everybody for being so amazing!

Fabulous wedding today at the very lovely Lakeview Manor. Our first visit to this lovely wedding venue near to Honiton. Congratulations to Bex and Scott on a beautiful day. We were asked to play our brand new arrangement today of A Million Dreams which is such a cool melody. We then went off out into the garden and played under the gazebo for the drinks reception.  This is the end of a very busy but totally amazing week of gigs.  Four weddings in five days.  450 miles.  4 gorgeous wedding venues in 4 beautiful parts of the lovely South West of England.  Time for a short rest now!  More weddings at the end of August.

Wow! What an amazing venue to play your violin. I have just returned from my road trip to Ilfracombe and the stunning Tunnels Beaches hotel. This was definitely a day for the funky electric violin. I played One day like this for the bride's entrance, God only knows and All you need is love for the signing of the register and then Viva la Vida for the exit of the bridal party. I then accompanied the drinks and champagne reception with the sea and the cliffs in the background. I love my job so much!

We played at a lovely wedding today in Exeter. This time is was the Exe Valley String Duo. We played for the civil ceremony at Larkbeare House first and the music choices included Canon (Pachelbel), My Heart will go on, Tale as old as time and Rule the World! Then we went off to The Devon Hotel and Carriages to play some more classical and pop while everybody enjoyed a drink and a chat in the sunshine. Congratulations to Jonathon and Gareth.

I was honoured to play at a very intimate wedding today at The Cowshed in Corwall.  I was asked by Jade and Peter to put together some original arrangements for their ceremony.  These included a new version of Galway Girl by Steve Earle for Jade's entrance and also David Bowie's Magic Dance from the film Labyrinth for the happy couple to exit the ceremony.  It was a beautiful ceremony in a really lovely setting.  This was followed by a cream tea while I played a short set of Irish/Celtic melodies.  Lovely day out in beautiful Cornwall.

After a very busy month or so it has been lovely to sing at smaller, community events this weekend.  On Friday afternoon we entertained the kids and staff at Bearnes Primary School as they held their summer fete.  On Sunday we went to St Meliion near Saltash for their annual traditional Cherry Feast community event.  Both gigs were very hot but the standard of singing and the attitude of the Rockies was totally professional.  We had lots of positive feedback from those listening and we were very much appreciated.  It's always nice to sing in the local community and support events like these.  

Part 2 of our amazing Rock Choir weekend!  75 Rockies sang at the Teignmouth Airshow weekend. This was a particularly important gig as we were singing in one of our towns that has a rock choir so there was lots of local support!  The sound was great and the harmonies came through so clearly!  Lots of great feedback and people asking how they join us!  Great day.

Rock Choir Live 2019.  Plymouth. 600 Voices 4 Choir Leaders Live Band.  What a wonderful musical experience this was for all concerned.  This gave many of our members a unique opportunity to sing as part of a massed choir of 600 voices.  It was stunning! Powerful, emotional, sensitive, musical... I could go on.  Great Rock Choir experience.  We also raised over £1000 for the Rock Choir charity Nordoff Robbins.

It was a real honour and a priviledge to be invited along with my Rock Choirs to sing at Armed Forces Day up on Plymouth Hoe.  On such an emotional and proud occasion it was so wonderful to be able to contribute our support through our singing on such an important day.  The sun was shining and the backdrop of the iconic lighthouse and Plymouth Sound was stadning in all its glory.  We performed a 25 minute set to a crowd on thousands and judging by their reaction and also their feedback they loved it!! Thank you to everyone for being so smart and for singing so amazingly well.

I had another absolutley stunning Rock Choir experience on Saturday.  We sang at the regatta, right by the waters edge with the amazing Tamar Bridge in the background.  The sun was shining and the crowds turned out in their hundreds.  Members of Saltash and Plymouth Rock Choirs sang their hearts out on the stage.  It sounded amazing!!  Well done everybody.

I am so very lucky to be asked to play in some very beautiful locations.  I was invited to play solo violin in the small chapel on the Lanhydrock Estate close to Bodmin.  It was a lovely traditional ceremony and I was asked to play 1000 years (Christina Perry) for the brides entrance, Cant help falling in love with you (Elvis Presley) and an unaccompanied version of Somewhere over the rainbow for the signing of the register.  The bridal party and guests made their exit to Marry You by Bruno Mars.  I also played I really like you By Carly Rae Jepsen for the very first time.  Sounded nice on the violin!  Congratulations to Samantha and Alec!  What a lovely venue and a lovely wedding.