Review Centre: Organists

"We are still recovering from Saturday’s wedding but I wanted to thank you for all you did. The service was both happy and moving, the trio was brilliant and the secret performance is still being talked of. It was a truly wonderful day for us. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: Report this review

"Sebastian played at our wedding October 2024 in West Sussex and provided a repertoire of chosen hymns and music for us. His experience, qualifications and background of the organ instrument was the reason why we chose him and we were not disappointed. I would highly recommend him for any type of service requiring a professional organist as his ability to bring happiness and joy to our wedding was appreciated by my husband and I along with our many guests."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: Report this review

"We were so delighted to have Mark play at our Wedding Breakfast at Westminster College Cambridge on Saturday 1 September 2018. He has such talent and is so professional and easy to work with. We cannot recommend him enough. Many of our guests asked for his details and he got many rounds of applause. Thank you so very much Mark, you made our day very special. xx"

Reply by Mark Burton - Wedding Organist / Pianist
Thank you so much Helen, it was such a pleasure to play for you both at Westminster College in September. Everything just came together perfectly on the day - wonderful venue, piano and couple! It was like playing at a concert with lots of applause too. Keep in touch, and I look forward to seeing you both in the future. x

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: Report this review

"Mark played the organ for us at our church wedding this summer and he was absolutely perfect, we couldn't have asked for better. He was incredibly skilled and had lots of options available to make the old organ sound fantastic. He has an extensive repertoire and he helped us make our choices which went down very well; we had several guests who commented on the brilliant choices and the skilled playing. Mark was also a lovely, helpful person to work with and we couldn't recommend him more highly."

Reply by Mark Burton - Wedding Organist / Pianist
Thanks for your lovely feedback Sarah. I'm pleased that you were both happy with the music, even though the organ was very small with only one manual - and less than a dozen stops, the overall sound was good. It was lovely to meet you both, and work with you to make your wedding day special - thanks for choosing me!

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: Report this review

"Mark, thanks for playing so beautifully at the Embassy 2 weeks ago, it was lovely to have you back with us again. "

Reply by Mark Burton - Wedding Organist / Pianist
Thanks for using me again for your exhibition at the Austrian Embassy Veronika, the pleasure was all mine - see you next year.

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: Report 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: Report this review

"We were delighted to find GARETH at very short notice (48 hours!) when our regular organist fell ill. We were so lucky for he replied positively to our request within 10 minutes confirming he could be available. He liaised with the family and they and we recognise the utter professionality of this man. Together hymns, prelude, a pause for thought musical interlude of Francke's "Panis Angelicus" which wa divinely played. The hymns were so sensitively and appropriately paced to keep them going (so very important in 'Abide with me' !!!! - -and indeed all the hymns) and lead the mourners and their family and friends. I HAVE NEVER HEARD SUCH CONFIDENT SINGING totally inspired by this amazing ORGANIST. Gareth concluded the service with a stirring, highly emotionally played "NIMROD" - the WHOLE gathered congregation listened attentively and did not budge until its dramatic conclusion - again, I have NEVER witnessed this at a Funeral and GARETH GILES managed to make our modest Organ sound like a full orchestra with his expressive and deeply sensitive playing. GARETH - thank you so much. You are a lovely man and a complete professional as well as truly the most FABULOUS organist we have ever heard - and I speak for the whole church community as well as passing on sincere thanks from Diane and the whole family who were so grateful and incredibly moved by your uplifting and glorious playing. Gareth you are a complete star We hope to see you again here STUNNING ORGANIST - we so very highly reccomend booking him for any occasion that asks for an experienced, wonderful ORGANIST In true sincerity from ALL of us Beth"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: Report this review

"Des played and entertained our wedding party/ reception with a key board and bass guitarist to accompany. It was intended as background music while our guests mingled both inside and outside, to create a little atmosphere before the meal. It was a triumph!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: Report this review

"We booked Mr G at short notice as our church organist was not up to playing the Widor toocata as he said it was an impossible piece on an impossible organ ! meh to that!! Gareth came over to meet us for coffee and then we went to the church so he could play us all the options. Just WOW to this virtuoso who made the organ come alive with his vibrant, professional and dynamic playing. My Parents have been going to that church for 27 years and said they didn't even know the organ could make those sounds. It is staggering that Gareth is not an international recitalist for he told us that Widor Toccata is actually a small piece of cake which a lot of ORGANISTS cannot be bothered to decipher...before launching into the exit music (Widor) at full pelt, full volume, from memory and with an omnipresent grin as he did it. This man oozes music and personality in bucket loads. He lifted the hymns to a new level and played all our favourite movie songs somehow in the register signing without the old vicar even realising it was happening haha Gareth is a total professional, thorough, disciplined, experienced and an extremely charming and witty guy as well. IT IS NO SURPRISE that he has over 120 ratings and fab reviews - he is an exceptional organist and musician and when we met him and heard the first few notes flow from him we knew we had made the correct decision. Wedding couples PLEASE try and book Gareth if you can - he is a true marvel and as one reviewer said 'the 8th wonder of the world' Thank you so much G and we will email you some photos from the day as we made sure the photographer took a few of you especially in that dapper tie !!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: Report this review

"Gareth thanks for all your help and brilliant stylish playing at our wedding last Saturday You were fab! Book this man!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: Report this review

"Mark came to play for my husband's 40th Birthday and he was absolutely incredible! A true gentleman and a one of the best pianists I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He was so professional from the moment he arrived, he took into account all of our requests and even allowed my husband to get up and have a sing along. I now cannot wait to have more parties and will be sure to book Mark every time as he really made the party go with a bang. Mark, thank you so much, everyone loved you!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: Report this review

"Dear Gareth Giles Thank you for the wonderful organ playing at the Funeral the other day. You played with such sensitivity and didn't let the hymns drag at all. Beautiful music"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: Report 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: Report 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!"

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"We were incredibly grateful to Shean for stepping in at short notice to accompany the choir and to perform a few organ solos in our Advent concert; he also played for our rehearsal the day before. Shean's communication leading up to the concert could not have been more helpful or prompt, fees were quickly agreed and within budget. Shean was good fun to work with and very professional, both choir and audience thoroughly enjoyed his playing, and we have no hesitation in recommending him."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: Report this review