Review Centre: Organists

"Thank you so much for playing at my 21st afternoon tea birthday party. You really added that extra touch! I loved all the Disney songs, they were great!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Mark is a very experienced pianist and he can absolutely add wonderful atmosphere to the wedding. We only had a few conversations before our wedding, and we sent 20-30 list of songs only several weeks prior to the wedding date. Some of the songs were from China and Mark played perfectly by following the list. I am really suprised that Mark can play it all and he played amazingly. Again, lot of thanks, we felt lucky by inviting Mark as our wedding pianist. "

Reply by Mark Burton - Wedding Organist / Pianist
Thank you for your lovely comments, it was a pleasure to play for you in the beautiful setting of Queens College. I wish you all the best for your future life together. August 2024

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Mark came and played for a Christening here at Stoke. He made the occasion truly wonderful! Brilliant organ playing, having to get here by 9.00am on a Sunday morning, his music lifted the whole service. Mark was helpful with the choice of music for before and after the service and played the hymns at exactly the right pace for the congregation to sing. He can be thoroughly be recommended. He has a really joyful character too. We look forward to welcoming him again!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

" Last month I was incredibly lucky enough to see Gareth Giles in concert. I am so very glad I saw this wonderful man perform because I now feel for ever changed by my experience of Gareth. From beginning to end I was spellbound – never before have I experienced such energy, style, change of emotions, playful fun, gravitas – all in one afternoon I simply never wanted the performance to end. I was either moved to tears by Nimrod, excited by the powerful Sabre dance, sent to heaven with 'summer time' and stayed for a while with 'The Summer Knows '. I won't be happy until I have bought all Gareth's CDs! ...... And if I start talking about his Gershwin I will never stop typing! Thank you Gareth for this indescribably wonderful experience. God Bless You Helen "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Stuart was absolutely amazing. In the run up to the wedding he was very easy to communicate with and worked with our music expectations. Having chosen a singer quite last minute, he also worked with her to finalise all the music with no fuss. And of course he played beautifully on the day! Highly recommended and thanks again Stuart."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hi Mark, We wanted to say thank you so much for the outstanding music you brought to Alana's wedding on 8th December. Both the music at the church and later at the reception was exceptional. Your interpretation of the Theme from the Secret Garden was beautiful: a tune that Alana had always dreamed of walking down the aisle to since a child. You rocked the church with 'Happy' whilst the register was being signed, even the vicar was moving to the beat! You're ability to play all genres from Cathedral Organ to Pop, Bollywood to Jazz was amazing. We have been asked by so many guests who you were. Of course we gave them your contact details. We hope to see you again for further celebrations in the near future. Once again, thank you Mark, you are the best. With best wishes. "

Reply by Mark Burton - Wedding Organist / Pianist
Gill, thank you for such a fantastic review! It really was a pleasure to play for you all, it was a wonderful Christmas Wedding. Also, many thanks to Neil who helped me move the keyboard so quickly out of the church to the Drinks Reception. The Ceremony was very special and I was pleased to be able to perform all the different styles of music that you asked for, especially Alana's entrance music, the Theme from the Secret Garden on piano. I wish you and the family all the best for the future, please keep in touch. Mark

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gareth is a very talented and tecnically accomplished musician. He can play across all genres ; classical, jazz, lounge music, singalong, film and show music all to a very high standard. Besides his virtuosity it is what he brings to the occasion in his versatilty, adaptability and own personality that makes him special. He approaches everything with professionalism. From understanding the brief, programming, impressive playing to personal impact. He can be quiet and remain in the background through to being lively and create fun. He is not put off by requests and can adapt and write his own music. I first met Gareth when he was the given accompanianist for me as a singer and I was immediately struck by his sensitive and supportive playing. He then came to play a short concert I arranged for patients at a local hospice. He designed a lovely mixed programme but playing in such situations needs sensitivity to the mood and needs of the listeners, versality as well as virtuosity and the ability to interact with patients and staff. The overwhelming response was "When can Gareth come again". I have already booked a return date."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gareth accompanied my son for his recent violin exam He makes the whole experience fun and had my nervous and grumpy son relaxed and laughing within minutes during the rehearsal I was stunned at what this GENIUS and gifted, talented accompanist and teacher was able to draw out of my son in so short a space of time. He even did work on the aural tests which had been previously refused at home or in lessons and my son achieved FULL marks in that section and a distinction overall !!! What more can I say ?!!! He was only predicted a pass and it was Gareth's skills and encouragement that brought out the BEST in the student. As an ex teacher I recognise Gareth's innate gift for enthusing and engaging the young mind and his accompaniment and musicianship skills are simply amazing. He was kind, helpful and exceptionally generous with his time staying for over DOUBLE the time for which we had paid to make sure my son was at ease with every aspect of the exam My son now wants to continue the violin, has been practising and has remembered all the performance techniques and nuances that Gareth has embued. ANY PARENT reading this looking for a superb and kind accompanist should look no further. Gareth thank you from Shawn and all of us. You are a genius !!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We wanted some background music for our daughters Christening reception, having heard Mark play before, we knew he was what we was looking for. He was fantastic and really completed the mood, an amazingly talented very friendly man. Thank you Mark."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Laurence, thank you so much for playing at George's christening. Not only was your playing excellent but I also really appreciate your patience and adaptability given l didn't give you a huge amount of information beforehand - you certainly made the process very stress free for me and we will certainly use you again in the future should we need anything else playing in the church. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Dez was recommended to us by Tibberton Church warden and he fitted in with all the plans for our daughter and son-in-law’s wedding in September 2021. He played the organ superbly before and during the service but also played the saxophone to accompany their exit song ‘All you need is love’ by the Beatles adding a fantastic extra vibe to this joyful fun-filled occasion. We can thoroughly recommend him. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gareth helped us achieve a dream. We had discovered a Victorian ancestor had had quite a bit of music published, which we had been able to copy, but not being musicians, we didn't know what to do next. I wanted to have the music recorded as an Xmas present for my husband and found Gareth's details on line. I went to him in early December so it didn't leave much time, but he still managed to learn and record one of the pieces for Colin for Christmas Day, and since then he has recorded all of the music on two CDs for us. From the start he was so helpful and accommodating - meeting with me to look at the music, giving a clear time-scale and cost, and then presenting us with two very professional CDs. His playing is just beautiful, and he explained that as some pieces were songs, he'd had to record the main melody and then dub in the soloist's part on top (that's a non-musical explanation of what I understood Gareth to say!) He went to such lengths to make everything perfect, keeping us regularly informed of how things were going, and his costs were very reasonable for the amount of work involved. If we find any more music, we'll certainly ask him again."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I don't know the Revd. David Morris but having known Des at my own church and listened to him play in church and privately I would endorse everything Revd. Morris has said. From his playing ability over all styles to his quiet dependable honest character. Highly recommended."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Goodness me this guy is good! If you want to have passion, enthusiasm, joy and life in your musician, then look no further. Des is an extremely talented musician able to play anything that you can imagine - so if you're worried about genre, then don't. Aside from Des' perfoming abilities he is also thoughtful and dependable. I'd thoroughly recommend him and can honestly say that I've always enjoyed working with him."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I have used Gareth as an organist and pianist on multiple occasions to accompany my choir for both services and concerts. He remains my first choice for those special events that you need to know will be just right. Gareth is a consummate professional and a highly trained keyboardist. Despite his high level of technical expertise, he is no bore! His personal charisma, charm and musical cheekiness are what bring his playing to life and make him great fun to work with. Gareth always shows up to the first rehearsal knowing the music inside out and is able to score read choral parts flawlessly, transpose at a moments' notice, and, with one ear always on the singers, he is everything one would expect from a sensitive accompanist. His ability to improvise effortlessly make him invaluable for those all-important choral warm-ups ... and his last verses of hymns always induce a grin! Gareth is a highly flexible musician and is able to play musically in all genres. He works brilliantly with children, amateurs, and professionals, knowing exactly how much/how little support is needed from him. A first-rate musician, brilliant accompanist, and a professional, fun and loyal person. 10 out 10. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: