A fantastic musician, the Northamptonshire Harpist is in demand for her harps' enchanting music. Her relaxing and vibrant arrangements bring atmosphere to special days and functions, from weddings, civil partnerships, drinks reception and dinners to corporate events, funerals and memorial services.
The Northamptonshire Harpist has played at countless weddings and other events over 18 years. She offers an extensive and very varied repertoire from light classical to atmospheric Celtic, and from popular to jazz and folk, on pedal harp, celtic harp or electro-harp. She also sings at wedding ceremonies when requested.
*The Northamptonshire Harpist is a fantastic Harpist and enjoys helping people choose the music they want for their occasion*
The Northamptonshire Harpist 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.
After combineing 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, she is now a full time professional harpist.
Her background in playing traditional music as well as classical, and her experience as a music therapist mean that The Northamptonshire Harpist 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.
The Northamptonshire Harpist's playing is appreciated by her clients, as demonstrated by the many letters of thanks she receives.
The Northamptonshire Harpist 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, The Northamptonshire Harpist plays with her husband, 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.
Some Wedding Ceremony Favourites:
- Canon In D
- Arrival Of Queen Of Sheba
- Bridal Chorus (Here Comes The Bride)
- Trumpet Voluntary (Prince Of Denmark's March)
- Wedding March
- Jesu Joy Of Man's Desiring
- Fields Of Gold
- Songbird
- The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
- Variation On A Breton Tune
- Greensleeves
- Carolan's Concerto
Vocal Song Examples for Ceremony:
- Amazing Grace
- Ave Maria (Schubert)
- Fields Of Gold
- The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
- You Raise Me Up
- My Lagan Love
- She Moved Through The Fair
- Lord Of All Hopefulness
Classical Music for ceremonies and background:
- Air on a G String
- Gavotte from French Suite no. 5 - Bach
- Air from Goldberg Variations - Bach
- Adagio for Strings - (Barber)
- Prelude in C - J.S..Bach
- Fur Elise - Beethoven
- Mandolin Sonata - Beethoven
- Mazurka no.2 - Chopin
- Chaconne - Jeremiah Clarke
- Giga - Corelli
- La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin - Debussy
- Flower Duet (from Lachme) - Delibes
- Sonatina - Dussek
- I Giorni - Ludovico Einaudi
- Air from the Water Music - Handel
- Arrival of the Queen of Sheba - Handel
- Harmonious Blacksmith - Handel
- Harp Concerto - Handel
- Gabriel’s Oboe (from The Mission)
- Variations on a Theme by Mozart - Mozart (Arr. Le Dentu)
- Cavatina (from the Deerhunter) - Stanley Myers
- Canon in D (Pachelbel’s Canon) - Pachelbel
- O Mio Babbino Caro - Puccini
- Hornpipe (The Hole in the Wall) - Purcell
- Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Variation 18) - Rachmaninov
- Gymnopedie No. 1 - Eric Satie
- Andante from Concerto for 2 Mandolins - Vivaldi
- Music from The Four Seasons - Vivaldi
plus, other less known but beautiful music
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
- Les Miserables- Castle on a Cloud
- My Favourite Things
- Love Changes Everything
- All 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
Disney Tunes:
- A Whole New World
- Beauty And The Beast
- Everybody Wants To Be A Cat
Classic Love 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
- A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
- Misty
- Summertime
- As Time Goes By
- Take Five
- Somewhere Over The Rainbow
- Autumn Leaves
Classic and Modern Pop:
- Ain’t no Sunshine
- Music from Amelie
- Angels
- Annie’s Song
- Ashokan Farewell
- As Time Goes By
- Autumn Leaves
- Beatles Songs including
- All my Loving
- All You Need is Love
- And I Love her
- Eleanor Rigby
- Here There and Everywhere
- Hey Jude
- In My Life
- Let it Be
- The Long and Winding Road
- We can Work it Out
- With a Little Help from my Friends
- Yesterday
- Black Orpheus
- Can You Feel the Love Tonight
- Can’t help falling in love with you (Elvis Presley)
- Castle on a Cloud from Les Miserables
- Cavatina (from The Deer Hunter)
- Chasing cars – Snow Patrol
- Cinema Paradiso – Love Theme
- Don’t Cry for me Argentina
- Enya songs eg Orinoco Flow
- Fields of Gold
- The First Time Ever I saw your Face
- Fly Me to the Moon
- Gabriel’s Oboe (The Mission)
- Greensleeves
- Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen/Jeff Buckley)
- Have I Told You Lately
- Isn’t She Lovely (Stevie Wonder)
- It had to be you
- It’s a Wonderful World
- Just Say Yes – Snow Patrol
- Last of the Mohicans – main theme
- Leaving on a Jet Plane
- Les Miserables – Castle on a Cloud
- Love me Tender
- Love Story
- Lloyd Webber – including:-
- Aspects of Love - Love Changes Everything
- Cats - Memory
- Evita - Don’t cry for me Argentina
- Jesus Christ Superstar - I Don’t know How to Love Him
- PieJesu
- All I Ask of You
- Angel of music
- Think of Me
- Music of the Night
- Phantom of the Opera
- Marble Halls (Enya)
- Maria (West Side Story)
- Make You Feel My Love – Adele/Bob Dylan
- Marry You – Bruno Mars
- Misty
- Moon River
- My Favourite Things
- My Heart will Go On (Titanic)
- A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
- Norwegian Wood
- Nothing Else Matters (Metallica)
- Orinoco Flow
- Runaway
- She
- Somewhere over the Rainbow
- Songbird (Eva Cassidy)
- Summertime
- Sunshine on my Shoulders
- Sweet Child o’ Mine (Gund ‘n’ Roses)
- Take 5 (Dave Brubeck)
- Tears in Heaven (Eric Clapton)
- A Time for Us
- Times Like These (Foo Fighters)
- Unchained Melody
- We Go Together
- We’ve only just begun (Carpenters)
- When I fall in love
- Winter Winds (Mumford & Sons)
- Wonderful tonight (Eric Clapton)
- Wonderwall (Oasis)
- Wooden Heart
- Yesterday
- You Do Something to Me
- You’ll Never Walk Alone
- You’re Beautiful
- Your Song (Elton John)
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 The Northamptonshire Harpist to make an arrangement.
Fionnuala Ryan, Wedding Event, Warwickshire
The Northamptonshire Harpist exceeded my expectations when playing the harp at our wedding reception. She took the time to contact me before our wedding providing samples of music to help us choose a repertoire and even checked what our colour scheme was! I would highly recommend the Northamptonshire Harpist to play at anyone's wedding or function. She is extremely talented, very professional and added to the atmosphere of our wedding day.
Angela Bambury, Wedding Event, Oxfordshire
Dear Northamptonshire Harpist, Just a quick note to thank you so much for playing at our wedding breakfast at The Bay Tree on 11th February. We have had so many comments from our guests saying how much they enjoyed the harp music. You provided the perfect mix of classical and modern music which appealed to all. Thank you very much. I was sorry not to have come and spoken with you personally, a bit tied up and bustled along by the joys of the day - but I trust Pete conveyed our sincere thanks before you left. I will not hesitate in recommending you to anyone who may wish to book a harpist for an occasion in the future. Thanks again and I hope you had a safe journey back.
Elvan & Alan Clarke, Wedding
The Northamptonshire Harpist performed her beautiful harp at our wedding in May 2011 and we can't say enough how very happy we are with her contribution to our wonderful day. We visited The Northamptonshire Harpist at her home about a month before the wedding to listen to some of her repertoire, we could have stayed and listened to her for hours. She played beautifully and even offered to learn a new song or 2 in time for the wedding. Before the start of the ceremony, The Northamptonshire Harpist played to guests waiting for the bride, during the signing of the register and for a while afterwards during photographs. Everyone commented on how talented she is and were very pleased that we had found her. The Northamptonshire Harpist is very flexible and willing to match the mood of your celebrations, whether it be soft and romantic or upbeat and a touch jazzy! We would have no hesitation what-so-ever in recommending her service. She will do you proud and your guests will be talking about her when reflecting on your special day.
Gemma Logue, Corporate Event
I just wanted to say thank you for Saturday night. Your playing and the choice of music was beautiful and was enjoyed by all …. The evening went really well, thank you again for your contribution to it.
Paul & Judy Andrews, Wedding
Thank you for helping make our wedding day so memorable. Everyone commented on the music and the effect you had on the event. We will be thrilled to recommend you to friends and colleagues.
Hannah & Scott Dickinson, Wedding
Hi Charlotte, We were absolutely delighted that The Northamptonshire Harpist was able to play at our wedding on the 9th October, her performance was beautiful and made the ceremony all the more personal and special. It's fair to say that neither myself or Scott fully took in The Northamptonshire Harpist's music on the day as we battled with our nerves & emotions but as we were lucky enough to have a video of the event we've been able to fully appreciate her music since! Apologies that it's taken us a few weeks to send through this note but we really are very grateful to The Northamptonshire Harpist & would whole heartedly recommend her to others. Wishing you & The Northamptonshire Harpist all the best.
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 The Northamptonshire Harpist 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 Northamptonshire Harpist, 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 Northamptonshire Harpist, 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 The Northamptonshire Harpist's performance, professionalism and she was a great contribution to the atmosphere created throughout the evening.
The Northamptonshire Harpist has played at Kensingotn Palace, the Tower of London, Warwick Castle and a host of venues in many counties.
As well as playing for hundreds of weddings,The Northamptonshire Harpist relaxes delegates over dinner at conferences and plays for other corporate events.
The Northamptonshire Harpist 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.
The Northamptonshire Harpist 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 The Northamptonshire Harpist 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.
The Northamptonshire Harpist also offers the following packages
- Ceremony & Drinks Reception (2 hours)
- Drinks Reception & Wedding Breakfast (usually 3 hours)
- Ceremony & Wedding Breakfast (usually 4-5 hours from start of ceremony)
- Civil ceremony 45 mins -1 hour
- Church ceremony usually 1 1/2 hours
- Drinks receptios 1 - 2 hours
- Wedding breakfasts and dinners 2 hours
- Civil ceremony & drinks reception
- Civil ceremony & wedding breakfast
- Other combinations possible
Please Note: The fees indicated below are approximate and based on a central location for each county. They are intended to provide a rough guide only and exact quotes can only be given once the date and exact location of your event have been provided.
East
- Cambridgeshire - £230.00
- Huntingdonshire - £224.25
Midlands
- Derbyshire - £287.50
- Gloucestershire - £345.00
- Leicestershire - £224.25
- Lincolnshire - £345.00
- Northamptonshire - £201.25
- Nottinghamshire - £299.00
- Rutland - £230.00
- Warwickshire - £224.25
- West Midlands - £299.00
South East
- Bedfordshire - £230.00
- Berkshire - £322.00
- Buckinghamshire - £230.00
- Hertfordshire - £253.00
- Oxfordshire - £230.00
