Review Centre: Organists

"We had a great experience with Sebastian. From our first consultation, it was clear that he has a lot of experience and really cares about creating a memorable experience for couples on their wedding day. He was flexible and supportive, offering advice tailored to our vision. He even organised a fantastic trumpeter, which added an extra layer of pizzaz to the ceremony and made our entrance really unforgettable! I also appreciated the offer of booking the choir as well - we ended up having our family members sing for us, but Sebastian did say that he could organise singers on short notice, which would have been amazing had we not had that option. It was a no-fuss experience throughout - he took care of everything and all we had to do was turn up. Sebastian was actually recommended to us by the venue, and I can really see why. I can wholeheartedly recommend him to any couple looking for a church ceremony."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"An absolute pleasure to have Gareth perform for us at our wedding. He is a hugely accomplished organist and knew all of the pieces we requested. He was also incredibly accommodating for last minute changes, which was greatly appreciated. Highly recommended!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"STUNNING, Gareth Giles is an amazing organist ! Virtuistic Empathetic Sensitive Accommodating Helpful Genial Technician Generous Witty A total and complete craftsman, Highly reccomended, Please provide an 11/10 button for Gareth! Thank you for making our wedding perfect."

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:

"Thank you ever so much Mark. You really saved the day for me as I had to search for you last minute and you just came through all the way and calmed my nerves throughout. You did such an amazing job and played the organ so beautifully - everyone commented your music lit up the church. So thank you again for everything. I highly recommend you to anyone :) All the best."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gareth usually plays once a month at our church services in Dorking - First Church of Christ, Scientist in Moores Road. He is always prompt, very helpful and communicates well with all our members and visitors. His expertise as a pianist, organist and accompanist is at the highest level. We are extremely grateful to have Gareth as one of our artists and would love to have him play our new Clavinova more often!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gareth Giles is an amazing musician. Thank you for coming to our church and leading the hymnody with such musicality and regard for the liturgy within. Your idea to end the service by switching to the Piano and playing Debussy's 'Clair de Lune' was truly inspired. As the evening sun set and the evocative music filled our church there was not ONE whisper - every member sat riveted in their seats to this extraordinary musical treat. This was such a fitting end to the worship and I think a 'first' that all our members sat and listtened and applauded. Gareth is also an extremely nice person to work with - self-effacing, reserved, a wicked sense of humour but UTTERLY professional in every way. Anyone reading this should book him asap ! WONDERFUL. George "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Booked with just a week to go before the event Mark was the consummate professional! From phoning me to chat and get a better feel for the event and the demographic of the guests to arriving early to set up and playing a wide variety of music in a responsive and sensitive way - everything was perfect. Many thanks Mark for creating an ideal atmosphere for us all, dancers and non dancers, ages 8 to 88! Mark's the man for your get-together no matter what kind of event it is!"

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:

"I just wanted to say a huge thank you from myself and Andrew for Saturday. I had so many guests saying how beautiful the music was and how good the song choices were, we couldn't agree more!! It was exactly as I imagined :). Honestly, thank you so much for being part of our day."

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:

"I hired Shean to play for a vocal exam and couldn’t have asked for a more responsive and flexible accompanist. He displayed a deep knowledge of different types/eras of literature and made some excellent recommendations regarding tempi and phrasing which positively influence the outcome of the exam. I would happily work with Shean again and highly recommend him to others."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gareth was the organist at a civic service at which my brother and I were asked to play trumpet. He met with us, liased with the organisers, provided suitable music and accompanied us. He took the lead with a keen sense of humour, made it fun but was always focused consequently the music at the service received nothing but praise. Subsequently I have practiced a couple of concertos and other works with him accompanying. He quickly and accurately picked up the music. It was a rewarding and enjoyable experience and I look forward to continuing working with him."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"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: