Review Centre: Organists

"Working with Gareth for the second time was even more of a pleasure than the first. He played for our morning service at St Matthew's Surbiton and was totally professional and reliable, with an exuberance to his playing that really livened up the service! He has a fluency and apparent ease at the instrument which would be the envy of many a church organist. He coped expertly with a tricky organ part in a piece of my own which I can't play myself! As always Gareth was meticulously prepared, and is a joy to make music with. I look forward to working with him again in a few weeks' time."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I can honestly say that our wedding of 14 people would not have been complete without Mark! He was wonderful, he has such a brilliant way of filling the entire space and connecting people with music. Mark was able to make the most of instruments that have not had much use nor care during the pandemic and produced the most wonderful sound with them. Mark made both the more classical organ pieces and contemporary piano songs sound amazing, making hairs stand on end with the power of the music. More importantly, Mark was truly a part of our party, interacting and making it more fun alongside everyone. Thank you! Thank you so much for being absolutely brilliant, could not recomend anyone more highly and will certainly be contacting again in the future."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gareth you are a fantastic organist and accompanist to work with - thank you for your skill and kindness"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gareth we cannot thank you enough for bringing your talents and skills to out church at Christmas. We have never before experienced such musicianship and a sense of joy. We thoroughly recommend GARETH GILES as an outstanding organist and musician. Thank you again!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Michael played at my wedding and was fantastic. All the guests enjoyed his playing and he made the service that bit more special."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"It was my big birthday and Michael was amazing. His playing was superb and seemed to understand the guests tastes so we had such a great time. He is ultra smart which is important all in all I would highly recommend him."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you Mark for everything you did for us on the day. The organ music was perfect before the ceremony, the wedding march was superb and our song to walk out was better than we had imagined. The background music on the piano during the wedding breakfast was absolutely spot on and we loved hearing the songs we had chosen beforehand, as did our mothers! All in all, a superb service from before the wedding to the last note. The music was both a highlight and yet totally unobtrusive, which is a real talent! So thank you again Mark, we can not recommend you enough. "

Reply by Mark Burton - Wedding Organist / Pianist
Thank you James for a lovely review. It was lovely to play the Organ and Piano for you at Westminster College - such a beautiful setting! I enjoyed playing all of your musical choices, especially on the organ in the ceremony. Good luck for the future, keep in touch.

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gareth accompanied me at 24 hours' notice when my accompanist dropped out. With only 30mins' rehearsal he reassured me and gave me confidence to do the exam when I nearly pulled out His musicianship is outstanding and he thoroughly understood the pieces and played superbly I achieved a distinction when I didn't think I was going to pass He is also a truly lovely guy and it is totally down to him that I have decided to continue. An utterly INSPIRATUONAL and amazing musician Book Gareth if you can x"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I met Gareth after having had a fairly comprehensive email correspondence with him, where we had discussed exactly I would like to achieve and what he felt he could offer. It felt very promising, but I knew the moment I saw him that he was absolutely right for this difficult occasion. When he sat down at the organ in the Chapel and rattled off several really wonderful pieces I found out how really special he is and that I had been really lucky to pick him. He had agreed to work with me on a very personal programme of music including a performance of songs with another professional soloist - a mini concert (Purcell and Duparc). The result turned out to be quite stunning with beautifully performed pieces from them both, as if they had worked together for years. Having played various gorgeous pieces throughout, at the end, he gave us his adaptation of Vaughan Williams Lark Ascending which was just beautiful. Nothing was too much trouble and I have received so many letters from people attending who said how much they enjoyed the music that day. Thank you Gareth for everything you did. I would always recommend you, because music is in your bones, you play like a dream and are an utter professional. Frances"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I would just like to let anyone know who is considering or wanting an organist for their wedding (or any other event) Mark really is the best and in so many ways. He isn't money orientated. He goes above and beyond. His punctuality is just as great as his personality and his sense of humour. He stays in constant contact and he responded to every single one of my messages and calls even when they probably got annoying. He played the organ amazingly and made my wedding day all that bit more special. He really is a true professional!!! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"With a month or so to go before our wedding (July 2015) we found ourselves without an organist. Not knowing quite what to do next, we turned to Google and found Lastminutemusicians.com. Choosing an organist from the site was such a daunting prospect given how important the organist's role was to be and not knowing if the person we would end up choosing would be any good! After a number of replies from other performers we chose Mark and we couldn't have been in better hands. Mark is a true professional and a talented performer. He is eager to please, vastly experienced and could adapt most songs/pieces of music for the organ. A week or so before our wedding, and in his own time, he visited our chapel and familiarised himself with the organ he would be playing. We also spoke frequently on the phone to discuss our thoughts regarding what we wanted to be performed and he also provided helpful suggestions and ideas without 'taking over'. On the day itself he was prompt, well presented and played beautifully. Thank you again Mark for your contribution to our special day, I really can't recommend you enough...in fact two of the guests at our wedding used Mark as the organist at their wedding having been impressed, I'm sure, at what they heard!"

Reply by Mark Burton - Wedding Organist / Pianist
Mark and Di - the pleasure was all mine! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to play the Binns Organ in Queens College, Cambridge - it was a treat for me too as an organist. I'm pleased that you were happy with my performance on such a hot day, the organ took time to set up for the wedding, but it was worth it. And, I got to do it all again in August for your friends wedding in the same chapel!

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you so much for all your help at the wedding reception of our daughter. Your piano playing was superb and was very much enjoyed by all there and gave a great ambience whilst the choice of music was impeccable. I am only sorry that you were unable to play for us at the church because of the requirement to use the local 'church organist' . Your punctuality and professionalism shine through and wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone. Thank you again for making the day so special."

Reply by Mark Burton - Wedding Organist / Pianist
Thank you again for your comments Sarah, it was a pleasure to play for your drinks reception at The paddocks Hotel. I'm pleased that you were happy with my choice of music, although we did get a few requests in too! I wish you both all the best for the future.

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Robert is the ultimate professional. Unbelievable pianist. Can play anything and without a music sheet Had loads of guest dancing Would highly recommend ."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"From start to finish, Mark was absolutely incredible. We hired Mark to play at our wedding, alongside a choir that he had never performed with before, and his performance was amazing. He kept in touch with us throughout and helped us to work out what would work best for our ceremony. The result was fantastic and we had so many compliments about the music during our ceremony. We cannot recommend him enough, thank you Mark! Xx"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

" We were very fortunate to have chosen Mark to play at our wedding in September at the Swan Hotel in Lavenham, with Mark’s guidance and suggestions he was able play all of our requested music through the ceremony on his electronic keyboard professionally filling the “Wool Hall” with truly memorable music and during the wedding breakfast performing on the Swan’s Steinway piano in the gallery above the main restaurant giving our reception a truly special atmosphere and our guests were very complementary. We would absolutely without hesitation highly recommend Mark to play at your event to providing a seamless professional service with great communication leaving you with no doubt your music will achieve over and above all of your expectations making your event a very memorable one. Thanks Mark was marvelous Stuart & Gorete "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: