Elizabeth York - Harpist

Category: CLASSICAL MUSIC, WEDDING HARPIST

Fee: - from £160

Northamptonshire based harpist Elizabeth York is experienced in playing harps for peoples special days, and functions, and is available to play for weddings, civil partnerships, drinks receptions, dinners and corporate events. Elizabeth offers a varied repertoire from light classical to atmospheric Celtic, and from popular to jazz and folk, on pedal harp, Celtic harp or electro-harp, and can also sing at wedding ceremonies if requested. *Elizabeth York is a fantastic Harpist and enjoys helping people choose the music they want for their occasion*

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About Elizabeth York - Harpist

Elizabeth York has been playing harps at weddings and other events since 1993, now mostly using her elegant antique gilded pedal harp, but alternatively sometimes her smaller Celtic harp or her stunning blue electro harp.

She combines a career in performance with work as a music therapist, having a post-graduate diploma in music therapy, and being state registered with the Health Professions Council.

Her background in playing traditional music as well as classical, and her experience as a music therapist mean that Elizabeth is equally happy playing from music or by ear. It is often possible for her to add one or two new pieces to her repertoire for an occasion, either from music or by ear from a recording.

She also improvises when appropriate - often getting positive feedback from clients and their guests when she does this, and enabling her to tailor the music to suit the timing of the occasion.

Elizabeth's playing is appreciated by her clients, as demonstrated by the many letters of thanks she receives (see below).

Elizabeth sings at ceremonies when requested, self-accompanied on the harp, with the organ, or unaccompanied. She also sings with a well respected chamber choir in the South Midlands.

As well as solo work, Elizabeth plays with her husband Richard York, playing accessible early music in a period costumed duo. As well playing for weddings, dinners and other special events they have performed at many heritage sites including for the National Trust, English Heritage and the V&A Museum.

Elizabeth York - Harpist - Additional Information

Elizabeth plays a varied repertoire for weddings, civil partnerships, drinks receptions, dinners, corporate events and other functions - from light classical to atmospheric Celtic, and from popular to jazz and folk. Usually she will play a broad mixture of music, to please a wide range of tastes.

If requested, she can include more of particular styles to suit individual preferences, emphasising the classical or popular side of her repertoire. On other occasions, for example for a family with Irish roots, she has played mostly Irish music on her Celtic harp when requested- and similarly for people with Scottish or Welsh connections.

Elizabeth has a friendly approach, and enjoys helping people find the music they want for their occasion. You can discuss the music for your event with her- she can advise you on music that fits well for different situations. It may also be possible for her to add one or two new pieces to her repertoire for your occasion.

Harp music is excellent for many stages of a wedding day.

You may choose to have the harp playing for some or all of the following parts of the day:

The Ceremony (civil-1 hour, church - up to 1½ hours)
This is to include calm music for 10-15 minutes as guests assemble, music for the entry, during the signing of the register and photographs, for the exit, and while guests leave. 

The Drinks Reception (1 - 2 hours)
You can choose to emphasise any of the styles of music which Elizabeth plays, or she can play a general mix of music- something for all age groups and a variety of tastes.

The Meal (approx. 2 hours including the line-up)
Often people prefer more classical and calm music early in the proceedings, then choosing lighter and more upbeat music as the day progresses. Again, the choice of musical styles is yours.

Elizabeth York - Harpist Song List / Repertoire

Wedding Music Examples: Sonatina Air On A G String Gymnopedie Madam Cole Eleanor Plunkett Air (From Water Music) All In A Garden Green Arrival Of Queen Of Sheba Bridal Chorus (Here Comes The Bride) Chaconne Lady Gethin Trumpet Voluntary (Prince Of Denmark's March) Trumpet Tune Trumpet Tune Variations On A Theme By Mozart Air From Derry (Danny Boy) Variation On A Breton Tune Canon In D Cavatina From The Deerhunter Greensleeves Jesu Joy Of Man's Desiring Your Song (Elton John) Fields Of Gold Misty Moon River Carolan's Concerto Chaconne Trumpet Voluntary Sir Sydney Smith's March Wedding March Vocal Song Examples for Ceremony: Amazing Grace Ave Maria Panis Angelicus Lord Of All Hopefulness Fields Of Gold Songbird The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face The Wind Beneath My Wings You Raise Me Up My Lagan Love Old Irish Air She Moved Through The Fair Gather Ye Rosebuds Background Classical Music Gavotte From French Suite No. 5 Prelude In C Fur Elise Mandolin Sonata Mazurka No.2 Giga The Girl With The Flaxen Hair Harmonious Blacksmith Harp Concerto Hornpipe Gymnopedie No. 1 Traumerei Blue Danube Waltz Tunes From Film, TV, Shows And Musicals My Heart Will Go On May It Be In Dreams Concerning Hobbits Aniron Music From "Amelie" Ashokan Farewell Edelweiss My Favourite Things Love Changes EverythingAll I Ask Of You Angel Of Music Memory Phantom Of The Opera I Don't Know How To Love Him

Pie Jesu Don't Cry For Me Argentina A Whole New World Beauty And The Beast Everybody Wants To Be A Cat Classic Songs And Jazz Standards Moon River Blue Moon Fly Me To The Moon Black Orpheus When I Fall In Love It Had To Be You Unchained Melody Isn't She Lovely I Get A Kick Out Of You Misty Summertime As Time Goes By Somewhere Over The Rainbow Autumn Leaves Classic Pop Yesterday The Long And Winding Road Here, There And Everywhere And I Love Her Hey Jude Let It Be Norwegian Wood We Can Work It Out With A Little Help From My Friends The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face Wooden Heart I Can't Help Falling In Love It's Now Or Never And More Annie's Song Leaving On A Jet Plane Sunshine On My Shoulders Wonderful Tonight Angels Fields Of Gold Your Song Have I Told You Lately Celtic Tunes Irish Danny Boy She Moved Through The Fair My Lagan Love The Spinning Wheel When Irish Eyes Are Smiling The Cuillin Carrickfergus Fields Of Athenry  Star Of The County Down Sally Gardens I Know My Love The Quiet Land Of Erin Many Tunes By O'Carolan And many other slow airs, songs and dance tunes Scottish Ye Banks And Braes Ca' The Yowes Eriskay Love Lilt Morning Has Broken Scotland The Brave Dark Island Skye Boat Song Loch Lomond Mairi's Wedding My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose Cock Of The North Songs By Robert Burns And Many Other Songs, Airs and Dance Tunes Welsh Tunes The Ash Grove  All Through The Night

Land Of My Fathers Men Of Harlech David Of The White Rock Cader Idris And Many Others English Tunes Scarborough Fair Greensleeves The Water Is Wide And Many Others Christmas Tunes & Carols, Including: All Hail To The Days The Angel Gabriel Angelus Ad Virginem Away In A Manger Angels From The Realms Of Glory Boars Head Carol Coventry Carol Ding Dong Merrily On High Down In Yon Forest (Corpus Christi Carol) First Nowell God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Good King Wenceslas Green Growth The Holly Hark The Herald Angels Sing Here We Come A Wassailing Holly And The Ivy In Dulci Jubilo I Saw Three Ships I Wonder As I Wander In The Bleak Midwinter It Came Upon The Midnight Clear Jesus Christ The Apple Tree Nos Galan (Deck The Halls) O Come All Ye Faithful Silent Night Sussex Carol This Is The Truth Sent From Above Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day Unto Us A Boy Is Born Wassail, Wassail, All Over The Town We Three Kings Wexford Carol While Shepherds Watched Also Other Popular Christmas Music Including Auld Lang Syne Christmas Is Coming Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Jingle Bells Let It Snow Little Drummer Boy Pastorale From “Christmas Concerto”  By Corelli Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer The Twelve Days Of Christmas We’re Walking In The Air From “The Snowman” We Wish You A Merry Christmas White Christmas Winter Wonderland Please ask if your favourite is not here. If there is a song you would particularly like included, it is very often possible for Elizabeth to make an arrangement.

Elizabeth York - Harpist References

Anna Corfield, Wedding, Hexton
Hi Tracey, Thanks for your email. Just got back yesterday and obviously have a lot to catch up on. I will send you a full testimonial in August but if I haven't by the end of the month, please send me a chasing email. But very briefly, both Elizabeth and Mitch were fantastic. Also, your service was very professional and, above all, easy to work with which I can tell you makes life so much simpler. So please don't change anything!

Hannah Burrage, Tilton-on-the-Hill, Leicestershire
Thank you so much for your playing it was simply beautiful and made the afternoon... You are very very talented and I shall be recomending you to all of my friends who are getting married! Thanks once again!

Jacquie & Geoff Armitage, Catherine and Adam, Wedding
Dear Elizabeth, I was sorry I didn't get to speak to you at Catherine and Adam's wedding last Friday to say how beautiful the music was and how much we appreciated it. You made my husband's day with "Land of My Fathers" and your choices after the ceremony were much enjoyed. Thank you so much for sharing your superb talent with us.

Yvonne (Holmes, now Franklin) and Martin (still Franklin), Wedding
Dear Elizabeth, Just a quick note to thank you for the wonderful music you gave us at our wedding in April. Many of our friends said how much they'd enjoyed the harp music. I was especially grateful to you for preparing special pieces for me. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing them in that sunny courtyard - what a delight! My Dad was especially impressed with your playing of Dave Brubeck (and he's not easily impressed, I can tell you!) Your kind of understanding and personal service puts you far above other entertainers I've seen We would recommend you most highly to any other wedding couples, or indeed anyone looking for a warm, friendly and talented harpist to play at any function. Many thanks again.

Emma Lauria, NFU Mutual, Stratford Insurance Mutual Annual Dinner, Stratford
Matt, Apologies for the delay in responding but my colleagues and I had a meeting yesterday to review the event. We were very happy with Elizabeth's performance, professionalism and she was a great contribution to the atmosphere created throughout the evening.

Zoe & Simon Hardy
Dear Elizabeth, Simon and I would like to say a huge thank you for playing so beautifully during our ceremony.  So many of our guests commented on how lovely the music was and what a fantastic musician you are.  You really did provide a perfect accompaniment to the ceremony.

Donna Kemp
I just wanted to take the time to praise Elizabeth York for her brilliant work at my wedding reception.  The music that she played in the background was breathtaking, and the guests enjoyed each song.  I must say a big thank you from my new husband and myself, it helped to make the occasion wonderful. Many thanks again.

Sheryl & David Todd
Just a note to say a big thank you for playing the harp at our wedding.  You really created the perfect atmosphere at Oakham Castle. Many people have said how beautifully you played. Your playing also sounds fabulous on the wedding dvd – it brings a tear to the eye every time we watch it. Thank you again – we had the most perfect day.

Sue & Tom Shearer
Thank you for making our wedding day even more special with your beautiful music. All the guests have said how lovely it was to hear you play the harp and was one of their favourite memories of the day. It is definitely one of ours.

Paul & Lesley Archer
Thank you so much for coming to play on our special day.  We were absolutely thrilled when we heard you play the piece of music that we had chosen and I am so grateful to you for adding it to your repertoire especially for us. You will be highly recommended to anyone that I know. Once again, thank you so much. You made our day complete.

Annie Berry
Hi Elizabeth, I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful music that you played for us on Saturday.  Every one commented on how beautiful it was.

Bonnie & Chris
Dear Elizabeth, Just a little note to thank you so much for playing the harp at our wedding. We are so glad we chose the harp and so lucky we picked you!

Registrar’s comment after civil ceremony
That was gorgeous, and you were so sensitive to everything that was happening.

Jenny & Jason Bates, Wedding, London
I just wanted to write you a quick note to say thank you so much for the beautiful music during our wedding ceremony... numerous guests commented on how atmospheric and wonderful your playing was- thank you so much.

Steph & Michael McQuire, Leicester
What can we say - Sunday was just wonderful. Everyone has called me to say that they so enjoyed the day & especially you. We all thought having you there made the day perfect & one we will long remember. Thank you so much & I hope one day we will have the pleasure of your company, playing & singing again.

Vanessa & Simon Elliott, Wedding, Burford
Thank you very much for playing at our wedding, it was simply magical.  We cannot thank you enough for making our day so very perfect. We could not have imagined such a fairy tale day. Once again thank you.

Coral Bowie, Wedding, Coventry
We had such a lovely day and your wonderful playing & singing helped make the day even more special.  Everybody I've spoken to since the wedding has commented on how beautiful your harp playing was and how wonderfully lovely your voice was. Everyone has remarked on your exceptional talent and I know that they thoroughly enjoyed listening to you during the day. If I ever hear of anyone wanting to book a harpist I will thoroughly recommend you. Many, many thanks again.

Laura & Richard, Wedding Northampton
Thank you for providing the perfect atmosphere at our Wedding, the music you provided was fantastic... We shall certainly recommend you in the future.           

Dean & Michelle, Wedding, Leics
We loved the harp music and are so pleased we chose to book you. 

Ann & John Johnson, Wedding, Rothwell, Northants
We would like to thank you very much for playing at our wedding and helping to make it such a wonderful day. We enjoyed your playing immensely. We thought you would be pleased to be told of all the good comments we received from our guests. Without exception all remarks were very favourable and the word “wonderful” was heard many times.

From a bride’s  letter, after playing requests at a wedding with some very small guests present
“Your ‘Wheels on the Bus’ and Disney Classics made our day.”
   
Wedding Guest
The hairs on the back of my neck stood up when you started to sing.