Review Centre: Organists

"Absolutely fantastic! Gareth was ultra accommodating and truly made our wedding ceremony with his perfect playing. We met him prior to the day and he was so helpful with regard to our music choices. His email correspondence was fabulous and extremely quick. On the day, we had so many comments about Gareth's performance including from our priest who was very impressed and may hopefully book Gareth for a church event in the future! Aside from his general brilliance, he topped my day when he played the Harry Potter theme as we signed the register. It was a tingly moment! We can't recommend Gareth enough. Gareth, thank you so much, we will never forget you"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Mark played at my dad’s funeral in the church, and I honestly don’t have the words to express just how incredible he was. From the moment he arrived, early, of course, he took complete control of the music and ensured everything was perfect. As people entered the church, Mark played meaningful music that completely set the tone. It was elegant, thoughtful, and unlike anything I’ve ever experienced at a funeral. It made the atmosphere feel so personal and beautiful, exactly what my dad would have wanted. Later, Mark also played at the celebration of my dad’s life at a stunning manor hotel, and again, he brought everything together with his extraordinary talent and care. He played songs that my dad absolutely loved, weaving them into both the church service and the celebration in a way that was seamless and full of heart. Mark truly exudes talent, but it’s not just his skill, it’s his kindness, his sensitivity, and his ability to read the moment. The day was, of course, deeply emotional and sad, but thanks to Mark, it also felt warm, thoughtful, and full of love. He created something so special. People spoke about the music all day and into the evening, about how moving it was, and how incredibly gifted he is. There is nothing this man cannot do. From hymns to personal favourites, Mark made my dad’s funeral and celebration of life something he would have been truly touched by. I know he would have been overwhelmed to know that someone so talented played for him. Mark, thank you from the bottom of my heart—for your music, your presence, and for helping us honor my dad in the most beautiful way."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Our decision to book Tony was very last minute (literally the week before our wedding) because we felt that we really needed musical accompaniment to our hymns. We were planning to have all other music on an MP3 player. Tony was great to deal with - came back quickly and was very professional in his communications. We arranged to meet at the church the day before and Tony brought all four additional songs that were going to be on the MP3 to see if we liked how they sounded on the organ. He then played them for us. I cant tell you how much better the music sounded on the organ. Tony, you were easily the 'icing on the cake' and the best last minute decision we made. Many of our guests commented on your playing and you were brilliant to deal with. We cannot recommend you highly enough. We're only sorry that it has taken us this long to put up a review. Thanks for helping to make our day perfect. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Mark, thank you so much for playing the organ at Christchurch for Amy's wedding on Saturday 5th November. The music sounded amazing from start to finish - so many of our guests commented on how brilliant you were. We loved your use of the keyboard for Amy's entrance 'A Thousand Years' which sounded so lovely on the piano. You certainly were the right man for the job, giving us help and advice in choosing the music, then visiting us at the church to see the organ and discuss the final musical details with us. Your music set the tone and atmosphere for the whole day. We have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone looking for a wedding musician, we now know why you are so highly rated on Last Minute Musicians! Christchurch, Swindon. 5th November 2016"

Reply by Mark Burton - Wedding Organist / Pianist
It was lovely to come to Christchurch in Swindon to play for Amy and Alistairs wedding. I enjoyed playing the organ there, and using my keyboard alongside the main organ to play piano music and MP3 recordings of Amy's deceased father Gary singing them down the isle for their Exit music. It was very special, what a fantastic voice Gary had! Thanks for choising me to play for you.

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gareth was incredibly helpful - he found the music we wanted and met us a few months before the wedding at the Church to go through things. He played the organ beautifully during the wedding service. We would not hesitate to recommend him."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Mark, thank you so much for your superb playing at our wedding. It made the ceremony so special for us both. There are some good photo's on our photographers website - she caught all the organ action!"

Reply by Mark Burton - Wedding Organist / Pianist
Lovely comments Ben, yes the photographer really captured some good pictures of the organ. I have used one for my main caption on this site, showing my hands on the manuals of the organ! Good luck to you both for the future.

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"This Concert was absolutely amazing. Gareth was entertaining and informative whilst happy to answer questions between each piece and involve the audience. He is so very skilful in what he does and appears to have a vast repertoire to suit all tastes and genres. I am going to keenly look out for Gareth's other Performances and will definitely be recommending him to all I speak to. I even purchased one of his CDs and it is fabulous!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gareth, stepped into the breach at short notice, after the church organist pulled out of our wedding. From the first meeting, his excellence was clear. He was reassuring, attentive, and above all very reliable. He liaised brilliantly with my uncle who performed a solo during the church service. We could not fault his organ performance, and he received numerous compliments from members of the congregation. We would recommend him to others without hesitation."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gareth thank you for your stunning playing at our wedding last month. We were so lucky to find you at short notice and really appreciate the time, care and calming humour you brought to us in our planning coffee. Gareth Giles is a truly lovely man to work with and made all our musical dreams come true with apt suggestions and help with the detailing of the order of service. His playing is pure genius and any couples reading this looking for a highly talented, experienced church musician who also happens to be a lovely, funny man to work with should NOT hesitate to book him - you will not be disappointed. Fantastic music flows from this man Thanks again GG and keep in touch"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Mark, I just wanted to say a massive thank you for last Saturday. I’m sorry that I didn’t manage to speak to you on the day but I was very impressed with your piano playing skills. The service went really well and I really enjoyed each hymn you played and the congregation sang each song beautifully. I hope you found your way to the church without any problems. Once again, thank you so much for your services."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Ben was organist for the entire area for some ten years. He never missed an appointment and was reliable and professional in every way."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Richard and I want to thank you for the beautiful music you played at our Wedding Breakfast. It was just perfect and we had so many guests comment on how 'wonderful the pianist was'. Thank you also for playing Mendlessons's Wedding March as we arrived it was such a nice touch and sparked off the occasion brilliantly. We will treasure that memory always. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Sam was amazing in every way - he was accomodating with all song requests and played our ceremony and reception drinks beautifully! He was such a professional and entertaining performer. Even before we booked Sam, he accommodated every query I had - I including sending me a bespoke video of songs I wanted him to perform! Thank you so much Sam!"

Reply by Sam on Keys
Thanks, Louisa! I was really pleased to be part of such a lovely day - and the weather played nice!

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gareth is so talented at playing the piano, and organ. You don't want to do anything else but sit and listen to him. The movement on the keyboard is so quick, you wonder how he gets the right tunes he plays. Will definitely be booking him again for next year. 10/10 jean"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Mark is an extremely talented pianist. Not only does he play beautifully, his ability to work a piece into a ceremony is quite honestly genius."

Reply by Mark Burton - Wedding Organist / Pianist
Thank you so much for your lovely comments Robert, I enjoyed learning and playing your African music on the piano!

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: