Before I get into the business of discussing Weddings, I think it is best that you learn a bit about the Maestro! If you are looking to hire me, but too busy to read this, call my office on 01604 756266 and they'll give you the short version! At the time of writing, the website is not yet ready!
I have actively been involved with the Business of Weddings since July 1978. In the early days, my involvement was purely from the Piano or the Organ in Church Ceremonies. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Music in London, 10 years later, I was not only playing the Ceremonies, but dashing straight off to the Wedding Receptions to entertain at later on too. After a chance meeting with the owners of Whittlebury Park in Northamptonshire and a change in the law regarding where one could be married, we hit the ground running and began a unique collaboration in 1994 which still continues co-ordinating Wedding Ceremonies and Reception Celebrations in. At Whittlebury Park, we have been the market leader in the area for over 15 years, and my relationship with the venue is as strong today as it was in those early days; albeit with a bigger team.
Because I have been involved so deeply in the process of doing Weddings for so long, my knowledge of this very unique event is comprehensive. My work has not been limited to Whittlebury Park either, I have a strong working relationship and knowledge of all the major Wedding venues in Northamptonshire; and have now played Weddings all over the country from Kent across to Devon, up to Cumbria and Northumbria and right through Yorkshire, Midlands, East Anglia, the Home Counties and of course London. But, the parameters are always the same: two people who are very much in love tie the knot and make that commitment in front of the people on the planet that know them best; I may be high profile, but the significance of my role is always peripheral.
I am always hired primarily as a Pianist. In my experience, most Wedding Parties either employ a formal Toast- Master, appoint an enthusiastic person, usually the Best Man or an Usher, to make announcements and keep the day flowing or the venue has a Banqueting Supervisor who fulfils this role; in short things are usually smartly organised and I quietly do MY thing wherever relevant. However if during my preparation meeting with the Bridal Party, it becomes obvious that nothing has been planned, I usually volunteer myself as an M.C. - for two reasons, one that I am very good at it and very entertaining, which gives a unique slant on the day and two, because, in reality, most people prefer a tangible structure and like to be informed; the guest experience can change from joy to despair in an instant; especially parents with hungry children, if things feel a little too loose, and they don't know when and where they are eating; especially if the over-enthusiastic photographer seems to be taking a long while!
As I said at the top of the piece, I am a Pianist that is a real specialist for making Ceremonies interesting and entertaining, without compromising the credibility of the occasion, whether Civil or in Church. Afterwards, I have played at Arrival Drinks Receptions, and for the Wedding Breakfast and I have played background music for the meal. At Whittlebury Park, I am fortunate to have a Yamaha Grand Piano for the Ceremonies but in venues that are not so blessed I have an excellent Portable Piano which does an excellent job; on request I can readily have Concert Grand Piano shipped in, which always adds a touch of real class. I have also on numerous occasions been joined by my drummer and bassist to form a trio who amongst many things play great Jazz Swing. For smaller Wedding parties, we have played long into the night and doubled as the 'dance band' but I generally feel that in larger venues, there are other bands who are better suited to that format than us. We are more effective through the meal and the Drink's Reception. We have also within the last 2 years also worked alongside Neal Astbury - a very popular vocalist - who is flexible enough to incorporate us and collectively present an impressive show with lights and sound!
Stylistically speaking, my musical repertoire is wide and very varied. I have always noted in the print media that, since working with my trio, that I have always been repeatedly referred to as a Jazz Pianist, which always suggests that I cannot play anything else which of course is wrong! The reality is that I interpret the mood of the room; which can change several times during the course of a short space of time. There is no such thing as an average group of people but typically my repertoire incorporates baroque and classical music, operatic arias, musicals, pop stuff old and new, folk and jazz standards. My personal preferences are all of those genres, and I rarely perform with music scores in front of me because it hinders the flow. The execution of my playing and variety of tunes and styles has been likened to a disc jockey mixing tunes seamlessly.
Every wedding I have ever done regardless of size (my smallest ever is 8!) demands huge emotional investment and additionally in many cases a huge financial one too. With that in mind, even in this fast paced world, I find it very difficult to turn up for a wedding engagement without any prior personal information about my Bride and Groom. For many musicians, please note this is an observation not an opinion, it is more than enough to have a couple of E mails, a contract with two names on it and the promise of free food and drink on top of an agreed fee. That's not the way I have ever worked, I generally like to meet my clients face to face, because for me the preparation is part of the whole journey; I have spent countless memorable evenings with couples, and sometimes their families too, swapping anecdotes and giving reassurances too. The result has always been a continuation of that fun and excitement on the Wedding day. Most of my trips around the country, have been recommendations resulting from such occasions.
In conclusion, I am passionate that anyone who is getting married or going to a Wedding that I am involved with gets excited about the process, and enjoys the occasion; because I always do! If you want the Maestro to do your event, call 01604 756266 or E mail me on Lincoln@noel1965.fsnet.co.uk
