Most of the weddings that I am asked to play for usually take place during the warmer months but this year was unusual, with a flurry of activity in the latter part of the year – two in September, two in November and one in December. I had the privilege of returning to two beautiful Somerset venues: Brympton House and Orchardleigh Estate. One of these weddings materialised at very short notice – I had a week to prepare! I was asked to play a wide range of music for the various receptions and ceremonies, including several songs I hadn’t played before, such as the theme from Romeo and Juliet, songs by Bob Marley and Stevie Wonder, an Etta James classic: “At Last” (which is surprisingly tricky to sustain as it is so slow), music from Titanic and songs by Prince, the Beatles, Radiohead, Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart and Jess Glynne. I really love performing such an eclectic mix of music!
I have two weddings booked for the first part of next year. One of them will take place in beautiful Victorian gardens on the Wiltshire/Dorset border so I am looking forward to going there. It is definitely inspiring when you are given the opportunity to perform in such beautiful surroundings.
I took on three new adult students this term, each at different stages but all possessing a terrific enthusiasm for the piano and for music in general. They practise so hard between their lessons, in spite of the busy lives that they lead and are a joy to teach.
Three of my students passed their piano exams this term, a child and two adults. The child achieved a Distinction for her Grade 1 exam and the two ladies passed their Grades 4 and 5. I have some great advanced students at the moment who are studying for Grade 8 and the ABRSM Performance Diploma – music by Liszt, Mozart, Bach, Debussy and Brahms. I am also preparing several of my child and adult students for the Highbridge Festival of the Arts, a competition which takes place next March.
I am pleased that I have recently been accepted as a weddings and events pianist by two classic venues in my favourite counties of Somerset and Dorset and very much look forward to playing at them in the future.
I believe, as a teacher and performer, it is important to go to recitals and concerts and to see wonderful music being performed live by other professional musicians. In September I attended a piano recital in Yeovil given by the excellent Hungarian pianist, Daniel Lebhardt, for which I wrote a review for the local paper. I also went to a Christmas concert of medieval and Baroque choral music in Bristol, which was magical and very uplifting.
I am now looking forward to the Christmas break after another hectic but fulfilling few months.
I wish everyone who reads my blog a very Happy Christmas and a great 2024 xx