Review Centre: Organists

"Mark really helped to make our wedding super special and set the tone with his excellent and engaging music. He was a pleasure throughout, making things easy for us and obviously put in a lot of hard work behind the scenes - his music from the church and the reception was one of the main talking points of the day - people are still talking about his atmospheric rendition of the Game of Thrones theme in the church! We couldn't recommend Mark enough - he obviously loves what he does - and that comes through in all his performances and created a wonderful atmosphere right from the start of our special day."

Reply by Mark Burton - Wedding Organist / Pianist
Thank you Will and Sarah for your great review! I'm really pleased that everyone present enjoyed the music in church, and after at the wedding breakfast in the barn. I particularly enjoyed using the little Victorian organ alongside my keyboard in the church, it gave me the sound variations that I needed to play all of your requested music authentically - yes, Game of Thrones was a blast, and then exiting to Dire Straits 'The Walk of Life' worked brilliantly! It was lovely to meet you finally after nearly a years planning, thank you again for choosing me, keep in touch. Mark (May 2016)

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Des was fantastic. Thoroughly pleasant, easy to deal with and many guests mentioned how good he was. Highly recommemded."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Mark's repertoire during our wedding breakfast was amazing. We Cannot thank him enough for the musical accompaniment to our special day. He is very warm and friendly, and communication was excellent. Andy and I can't recommend him highly enough - he played our favourite songs on request with gusto and our guests loved every minute! A great addition to our venue at Stratton Court Barn, Oxfordshire."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"My wife Lorraine and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary with a vow renewal ceremony at our small parish church. The organ was in need of maintenance so he brought his own keyboard and speaker system. We chose a range of music from contemporary melody to classical, and Mark fully demonstrated his versatility in his excellent performance, simulating piano, orchestral and organ as appropriate to great effect. He accompanied the hymn singing in a very accomplished way without dominating or following. He took a great effort to establish what we wanted in advance enabling him to fully complement what was for us and our guests a very intimate and unforgettable occasion. Mark proved to be very friendly and obliging and I would have no hesitation in recommending his services for any similar event."

Reply by Mark Burton - Wedding Organist / Pianist
Thank you Tim for taking the time to post your lovely review. The pleasure was all mine, and it was lovely to meet you both.

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gareth is a truly outstanding organist - every last request was granted and with style, aplomb, flair, enthusiasm, dynamism and utter professionalism from the start. Gareth met with us to discuss all our options and his knowledge and sense of humour is as outstanding as his virtuoso playing. Absolutely lovely guy and completely amazing musician. Thank you particularly for the Vierne - just W O W !!!!!!! Wedding couples - book this man if you can - our day would not have been the same with any lesser musician driving the organ Thanks G "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I engaged Gareth to accompany two choirs and soloists in a fundraising concert in aid of Macmillan cancer. He was SUPERB in every way with experience in bringing out the best in all performers from the professionals to the amateurs. In particular, his musicianship, sensitivity, ability to extemporise sympathetically and enhance any performance. Gareth's musical skills have to be heard and witnessed to be understood for how his playing transforms and securely underpins the Music and the people performing. He also accompanied me in a gorgeous flute and piano piece 'song for my mother ' by Geoff Easles. The Jazz style in this piece highlighted another wonderful aspect of Gareth's abilities - to play jazz in a free and effortless way . On a personal level Gareth is also very professional and approachable and reliable . The adult choir for those with learning disabilities were boosted in their confidence and musicality to sing with him too. It was a joy to watch them and they received a standing ovation! Simply FANTASTIC , EXCELLENT, NO HESITATION to RECOMMEND except that he might not be so available the next time I need him ! Thank you Gareth. Veronica Austin- concert organiser . "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Des played piano at our Church for our marriage ceremony, we gave him modern music to learn and play and he did so brilliantly, and was also happy to undertake some (very) last minute changes. Des is a fantastic chap and no job was too big or too small. Cannot recommend Des enough!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Mark, thank you so much for playing the organ and piano for our wedding. You were exactly what we were looking for, it was just perfect!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We used Mark to play the organ at our wedding and he was truly spectacular. Not only did he play the organ but he also played the piano and used his piano to play our entrance music via MP3. He ensured that every single piece of music we loved was played and in the best way. There is nothing Mark is not happy to offer and he truly cares about doing the best for your big day. We were so lucky to have found him to help make our day special. If you need someone for your day, you need to use Mark. He makes everything so easy and perfect for you. Get booking! "

Reply by Mark Burton - Wedding Organist / Pianist
Scarlet, thank you for your lovely remarks. I thoroughly enjoyed playing for your Christmas Wedding in Cambridge, the organ was lovely at the Leys School, enabling me to achieve a lovely cathedral sound during the carols making it even more festive! Thank you for choosing me for your big day. Mark (December 2015)

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Good selection of music but it was generally too loud. This could have been because the hall was longer side to side than the width where your combo was playing. Maybe a better sound evaluation ( not sure what the proper term is ) opposite where you are actually playing would enable a better volume appreciation for the assembled guests."

Rating: 8 / 10 Share this review:

"I have recently completed the first of what I hope will be many shows with Mark as my Musical Director on my show "A Portrait of Matt Monro". Mark is without doubt an experienced accomplished musician and wonderful accompanist. His repertoire is extensive from classics to modern and I would thoroughly recommend him to anyone who wants a top class professional pianist, whether for background music at a wedding or dinner event or as a featured pianist. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We hired Mark for our wedding and from start to finish he was absolutely incredible. We went through several months of planning where Mark not only suggested some great songs but accommodated a number of our own special requests. On the day his experience really paid off as he combined the church organ with his own digital keyboard, which was perfect for the traditional yet upbeat mix of songs we were looking for. Mark also played the piano during the wedding breakfast and we were inundated with comments on how good he was. It is obvious why he has been chosen to play at such top London restaurants (we even had dinner at the Gilbert Scott before the wedding just so we could hear Mark play and we was fantastic as ever). As well as a gifted musician Mark is also the ultimate professional, always available to talk and quick to respond to any issues. He even worked closely with our singer to ensure they had the correct versions of each song we requested. He took all the stress out of managing the music in the build-up and on the day, something which we found invaluable with everything else that goes with planning a wedding. If you need an organist/pianist for any event we simply cannot recommend Mark highly enough! "

Reply by Mark Burton - Wedding Organist / Pianist
James, thank you for such a lovely review. It was a lovely day, and very busy for me at Hengrave Hall - after nearly a year in the planning it was good to see everything running like clockwork on the day. I wish you both a great future, please keep in touch and come and see me at the Gilbert Scott sometime!

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Excellent!!! Mark helped us plan the day thoroughly, he played music for the ceremony including learning the Jurassic Park theme tune!!!! He also played throughout our drinks reception and the in the church on site for a carol service. Amazing value for money and could not fault. Many thanks! A*"

Reply by Mark Burton - Wedding Organist / Pianist
Thank you for giving me such a fantastic review Charlotte. It really was a lovely Christmas Wedding at Hengrave, our collaboration for your Jurassic Park Theme worked a treat, I'm so pleased that everyone loved the music! The Carol Service in the chapel was indeed epic, I've never heard such hearty singing in there - wonderful stuff!!

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gareth Giles is a truly superb organist, accompanist, extemporiser, virtuoso and all round sensitive musician. I highly recommend him and his beautiful organ playing for any service, recital or occasion. This amiable man is an absolute genius!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Sam brings humour and knowledge of music to his rehearsals with an easy manner which makes learning enjoyable. He is an accomplished musician playing keyboard with great dexterity. I would heartily recommend him in any such capacity. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: