Happy New Year!

I’m a bit late in wishing all you lovely visitors to my website a prosperous and fruitful new year but here I am and I’m ready to make 2020 a musical year to plucking well remember. Just a few words tonight as I’ve got a lot of practice to be getting on with. Music makes me so happy and I love playing my harp at every opportunity! I wanted to share a couple of videos I’ve recently recorded of two songs that are very popular requests for weddings, but due to my slight lack of competence in the technical department, here are links to my Facebook and Soundcloud pages, where I’ve just uploaded two new wedding songs for 2020 and beyond.

My aim is to record a new track once a week. Last week was my take on the main theme from Out of Africa by John Barry. This week was my version of Ed Sheeran’s lilting love song, Perfect. You can also view videoclips on Instagram if you use it. Eventually I’d like to be able to produce basic videoclips (without having a complete technical meltdown) of me actually playing with the best sound quality I can achieve outside a studio.

As always, do let me know what you think and if you’d like me to make a short video or soundclip just for you! In the meantime, my focus is on the ppp’s - practice, practice and, you guessed it, playing! I’ve got some very exciting performances coming up this year - watch this space…

Countdown to Christmas!

Gosh, it feels like an eternity since I’ve written a blog post and I’ve really missed the cathartic process of writing. November was very busy with one of my favourite activities - playing! I took part in quite a few performances and I’d like plenty more of that please! Despite being quite introverted, there’s a side of my personality that loves to have fun and show off, allowing me to share my love and passion for music with my audience.

I really enjoyed myself playing a short programme at All Saints Church in Netherthong last month and I think the audience shared my enthusiasm from the feedback I received. People were very interested in the mechanics and workings of the harp and this has given me ideas for future offerings in the new year. Lee Puttick, the organiser will be arranging another evening’s entertainment, so watch this space.

Other than playing and practicing, I’ve started the process of distributing my lovely new leaflets. I’m delighted with them and I can recommend Swiftprint in Huddersfield most highly. The level of service I receive whenever I work with this company is outstanding.

December holds a fistful of private performances locally, which I’m looking forward to very much. Working at the shop becomes a bit more playful at this time of year thanks to tinsel, Santa hats and an array of other festive accessories. I love seeing my workmates in their sparkly festive jumpers, though there’s always room for improvement and I think there should be some sort of special prize for best outfit.

I often get a bit nostalgic in December. It’s the end of a year and I find it useful to review the past 12 months both professionally and personally. By the same token, it’s time to herald a new year and boy oh boy, am I excited about 2020! I don’t make new year’s resolutions as such but I try to set myself goals and targets based on the current year, and most importantly diarise pleasurable new experiences to get excited about. Another holiday in the sun is most definitely in the pipeline.

Are you getting married in 2020 or 2021? I’ll be playing at the following wedding fayres in the new year:

12 January - Bagden Hall

26 January - Wortley Hall

9 February - Oulton Hall

23 February - Holmfirth Vineyard

I’ll be announcing more fayres in the next few weeks. Come and have a chat with me about music for your wedding or event - visiting a fayre really is the best way to experience the services I can offer you on your big day. In the meantime, have a fantastically festive December!

I'm practicing again!

I’ve been bitten by the practice bug again big time so I won’t be blogging as much as usual over the next few weeks. See the poster below for one of the reasons. I’m really excited to be playing in this concert alongside some lovely talented local musicians. I played through my programme today and you might like it. Why not come along and hear me playing with fire? That’s the new subtitle for my website by the way. What do you think? Does it make me sound like a dragon? It’s meant to indicate that I play with passion, not that I’m a scary animal!

I love my job!

My stand

Neater and decluttered

I’m always keen to improve the services I offer. I’ve worked very hard over the past 2 years to develop my harp business and it feels like the tip of an immense iceberg at times. Learning to run my own business is a labour of love but at times it takes me so far away from the harp. I long to delve my fingers into those vibrant strings and practice for hours on end like I used to. I don’t have that luxury these days so any practice hours are precious. You could ask why I’m not practicing now but I know I need a certain kind of headspace to practice efficiently and this evening is earmarked for writing. It’s a sideline I’m trying to develop alongside my playing. Do you know anyone in need of my writing services?

With wedding fayre season in full swing, I have a confession to make - I’m hardly touching the harp. Only 2 months behind schedule, my brochure is almost ready to go to print and then I’ll start on the task of distributing it. Next, I’ll be updating my website and publicity materials. A few people have mentioned I’m not blonde anymore. I’ve really enjoyed my year of lightheadedness so in 2020, let’s see what happens. Watch this space - I’m embracing my darker side and maybe going back to my roots… I wonder what colour they are by now?

It’s so easy for me to get distracted. After an excellent day at Wortley Hall wedding fayre last weekend, I decided that I would address all the admin that evening after I’d had a bit of a rest. I emailed all you lovely couples who were so enthusiastic about my music and my offering and by 9pm I was ready for a quick social media post before calling it a day. In my haste to post, I forgot to share it to Facebook so if you’re not on Instagram or social media at all, you may have missed the snaps I’ve added to this post. If you haven’t met me yet and you’ve seen me looking a bit stern while I’m concentrating on my music, the ice cream photos might help you see I’m actually very friendly and approachable. Do come and say hello.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - the best thing about fayres is the people I meet. I’ve worked alongside Graham Thewlis-Hardy and his wife Lisa from A Taste of Italy ice cream trike a fayre bit and I’ve sampled more than my fayre share of their amazing ice cream. With 97, yes, 97 flavours, I’ve got a lot more to sample. I have to retain myself, it’s so good. If you eat shop bought ice cream, Lisa and Graham’s gelati really are in a different parlour. It’s the “crème de la crème” of ice cream and it could be the perfect playful addition to your wedding. See photos below for some gratuitous food porn.

For balance, my stand was positioned next to a lovely friendly lady, Laura McNally. She’s a very knowledgeable personal trainer and she was so generous in offering me tips on my posture and how I can improve it away from the harp. Taking care of yourselves before your wedding is such a vital aspect that’s often overlooked and pleasant as she was, I wouldn’t want to mess with Laura!

Laura’s enticing stand

The massage balls are on my Christmas list

The next Wortley Hall Wedding Fayre is on the 26th January 2020. Might see you there? It’s always a fun fayre!

Ooohhhhh

Chocolate

Oh go on then

Open wide

I think my face says it all

I sampled the Turkish Delight which is out of this world as well as Cherry Italia, mmmmmmm

Enjoying a well earned cup of the strong stuff

After all that ice cream

Chandelier

above some vintage suffragette artwork

Inspiral

The gorgeous architecture at Wortley Hall

Wedding Fayre - Queens Hotel Leeds

I’m excited to be exhibiting at this fayre organised by those lovelies at Wedding Fayres Yorkshire on Sunday. It’s a new venue for me and after watching a short video on Facebook last night, I’m even more excited! It looks like a proper Art Deco venue and I love Art Deco.

Wedding Fayre season is in full flow and I’m loving playing at some stunning venues where I get to meet all you gorgeous couples. I’ll let you into a secret - I get so inspired by your music requests and I can’t wait for music week at the end of the month. It’s a week during which I just sit down and practice to my heart’s content. Happy Days! Or should that be Harpy Days?

Have a great weekend and maybe I’ll see you there on Sunday to chat about music for your Wedding or event?

NOEWA - North of England Wedding Awards

I had a great time playing for the gala dinner at the North of England Wedding Awards at York Racecourse on Monday night. This event at the start of the season is a real highlight and an opportunity for people throughout the wedding industry to congregate and basically have a good old shindig celebrating their achievements. It’s lovingly organised by Liz Clark of The Wedding Guide and she certainly knows a lot of people in the business. Liz and her team work tirelessly to ensure an entertaining evening and getting The Wedding Guide magazine through the post with my advert in it is something I look forward to twice a year. Thanks Liz!

Last year was my first experience of the awards. This year, a bit wiser, I was less fazed by the vast sprawl of the Voltigeur Suite glamorously glitzed up for a gala evening. I had my music stand light with me so I could actually see my notes without being dazzled by the bright lights directed at the stage.

Photo by Nikki Pix Photography

I’d prepared a setlist just for the event with some of my favourite background music for a spotlight performance. I started my set with the main theme from Back to the Future which I learnt for a fab wedding in June (thanks so much for your request Nikki and James - it’s a keeper!) I thought it was appropriate to include one of Lewis Capaldi’s greatest hits, Someone You Loved, seeing as I worked with Manchester Camerata at Capaldi’s gig at Croxteth Park in August (scroll down if you’d like to read more about this memorable performance.) I also included a seasonal favourite, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. I wanted to show that harp music isn’t just for weddings, just in case anyone thought I’d lost the plot. Music enhances every occasion and I played a variety of different styles of music reflecting different moods. I carefully selected familiar music that people would recognise - I like to think there was something for everyone.

I thoroughly enjoyed playing on Monday night. I was completely focused and in the zone and I think my performance went down well. It’s hard to gauge that with around 200 diners but I was delighted with how it went. I realised I’ve come a long way in 12 months in confidence and my understanding of the wedding industry.

If you were there on Monday night and you enjoyed my performance, why not book me to play at your special event? Christmas is coming and harpists aren’t just for weddings! And if you’re reading this blog, you may have worked out how much I enjoy the written word so do get in touch if you’d like me to do some blogging, writing, editing or copy for you.

October Wedding Fayres

I’ll be playing at the following fayres this month:

6/10 - Oulton Hall, Rothwell, Leeds

13/10 - Wortley Hall near Sheffield

Me at Wortley Hall

20/10 - Queens Hotel, Leeds

Come and say hello and tell me what music you’d like me to play just for you!

Check this out!

Click the link below to watch a sneak preview of Lewis Capaldi’s August concert at Croxteth Park featuring yours truly on the harp! The full performance will be on BBC1 tomorrow night at 11.25pm.

Margaret and Phil's wedding at The Fleece, Ripponden

Ready to play

I met Margaret and Phil at a wedding fayre last year and they really loved my music. It even brought a tear to Margaret’s eye when I played Over The Rainbow. This is the piece she chose for the signing of the register last week during the civil ceremony at the the Fleece in Ripponden. What a spectacular venue. Have you been? Nestled half way up a steep hill with idyllic views, it’s a unique and historic venue.

The terrace

There’s an upper level too with far reaching views

I played soothing calming favourites from my classical and timeless music collections while their guests waited for Margaret to arrive. She had requested Etta James’ version of At Last to walk down the aisle and I was delighted to arrange this emotional song just for her.

My beautiful Camac harp

After their poignant ceremony, I played From This Moment On by Shania Twain which works remarkably well on the harp. Margaret, Phil and their guests enjoyed their drinks reception on the terrace and I continued to play for their wedding breakfast. There were many music lovers amongst their friends and family and, somewhat interestingly, they gave me a round of applause for - guess what - Puccini!!!

Arrival

It really was a privilege to play a part in their special day. Do you have any special requests for your ceremony? Get in touch via the contact page on this website.

I love my job

Incredible skyline on the drive home

Wedding Fayre - Holmfirth Vineyard, Sunday 22nd September 2019

Images - Glix Photography

I’m delighted to announce that I’ll be playing at the Autumn Wedding Fayre at the spectacular Vineyard, just down the road from me on the outskirts of the bustling town of Holmfirth. As you can see from the photos, I’ve played here in the past at a wedding event held by Holmfirth Vineyard a few years ago. If you haven’t been, you really ought to check this unique venue out. Having that panoramic window as a backdrop for your wedding photos would really make them unforgettable. As for your wedding music, it’s a beautiful acoustic and the divine sounds of my harp would enhance any wedding celebration or special event.

Will I see you there on Sunday to chat about music for your event?

Huddersfield Town Hall Wedding Fayre

It’s a new season with new music and I’ve got a new look! Come on down to the Town Hall to talk about music for your event!

A blooming marvellous wedding

A perfect position to play Pachelbel’s Canon in D

surrounded by a few of my favourite things - books and blossom, and my Camac harp of course

I played for Emily and Josh’s gorgeous intimate wedding at Wortley Hall yesterday. I met Emily at a wedding fayre at Wortley Hall last year which she attended with her mum and her sister. A beautiful friendly dark brunette, Emily looked stunning in her amazing dress. She appeared magically at the wooden double doors before walking down the aisle after her bridal party.

I spy

That’s lovely Laurie at the far end. A key member of the Wortley Hall wedding team, there she is, efficiently ensuring everything’s in place before the ceremony

Emily wanted a combination of pop music that’s been featured in films like Twilight and Disney animation, as well as traditional classical music for her civil ceremony. This took place in the lounge, which was ornately decorated with gloriously oriental blossom trees. Her guests entered the room and I played some atmospheric background music as a backdrop for conversations between Emily’s family and friends as they awaited her arrival. The harp is the perfect choice if you want unobtrusive wedding music that’s soothing and uplifting.

For her entrance, Emily chose the timeless classic, Canon in D by Pachelbel. It’s an excellent choice to walk down the aisle as it’s calm and ceremonious, solemn yet rousing.

After the official ceremony came the signing of the register and the photos. It was the perfect opportunity for me to play Emily’s requests, A Thousand Years and Beauty and the Beast. You can listen to clips of all these pieces of music and more by clicking here:

The ceremony drew to a close and I played Allegro Maestoso by Handel for Emily’s exit with Josh. Celebratory and joyful, it’s a great choice as an exit piece. It was also performed at Princess Diana’s wedding so it’s got to be a good tune! It’s a significant moment, the first part of their journey as husband and wife, and choosing an optimistic upbeat piece of music is a good move. They walked out of the lounge directly onto the gardens, which looked like this:

Is it any wonder I love playing here?

The gardens are in full lush technicolour bloom right now. Doesn’t that giant shrub look a bit like a cake?

Beautiful dahlias

in the carefully tended gardens

Hearty artichoke plants

in the well stocked borders

Congratulations to the newly weds - wishing you every happiness for your future together!

LABOUR OF LOVE

Nikki and James

I haven’t had time to blog for quite a while. I attended a family funeral in Wales a fortnight ago and I’m still catching up with all the backlog after that visit. I’m nearly there and today will be spent replying to emails and sorting out some social media content. Sometimes I wish I had a PA! My laptop contracted some sort of nasty virus and it got slower and slower throughout June. Despite my attempts to cure it with help from the big G, my increasing frustration got the better of me and I took it to the MacDoctor last Friday. I must admit those hours without it were bliss. On Thursday evening I wanted to throw it out of the window and join the circus. I do try but tech definitely isn’t my forté.

I’ve taken on some extra shifts at the shop which means time has been even more scarce this week, but it’s good to be busy and out and about meeting some lovely local people. With this fine weather, I’ve been out run-walking a lot more and enjoying the scenery right on my doorstep - isn’t West Yorkshire just amazing?

Idyllic setting

with dappled shade

I played for an extra special wedding at the end of June. If you follow me on social media, you may have seen a few photos and I’ve included a few more with this blog post.

Atmospheric

The pond

I met Nikki and James at a wedding fayre last year at Wortley Hall. They were absolutely lovely and a bit quirky - my kind of people. They had quite an unusual request as exit music at the end of their civil ceremony - the main theme from the iconic 80’s movie, Back to the Future (BTTF).

Beautiful Bows

The ceremony room at Wortley Hall

You know me. I love a challenge and I’m particularly keen on 80’s music too. I think it’s brilliantly written. It’s interesting both harmonically and melodically and a lot of it works really well on the harp. I couldn’t remember how the BTTF theme went, so I listened to it when I got home. My initial thoughts were that it was fast but where there’s a will there’s a way and I’m not one to relinquish a challenge. James sent me links to some recordings as well as the piano sheet music, which I downloaded and printed off. I chipped away at the dots on the page for a few weeks, eventually slimming it down to a unique three page REH version I felt worked for the harp while retaining the features of the original music. I wanted the excitement of a whooshing DeLorean and Michael J Fox in a baseball jacket. Without his deafening guitar of course.

Labour of Love

It makes sense to me

Ten days before their wedding, Nikki, James and I set up a WhatsApp video call. They were in Cheshire while I was sat in my harp room and I was able to play them what was almost the finished version of BTTF. To my relief, it was met with approval, and I knew I still had time to make some last minute adjustments.

A long break

meant I could walk around and take in the stunning scenery. I’m no photographer but is it any surprise Wortley Hall is one of my preferred venues?

On the wedding day, I warmed up using BTTF to get me in the zone. Nikki wanted the traditional bridal march to accompany her entrance. I know that like the back of my hand, so I could focus on getting BTTF to sound good in the ceremony room. Nikki walked in with stunning simplicity and it was a very touching ceremony. Her father’s readings of two Shakespeare works made me blub a bit and I had to pull myself together! After all, I still had BTTF to play after I’d performed some classical favourites for the signing of the register and while they were having their photos taken.

Harp and chandelier

in the stunning Foundry Dining Room

I had another opportunity to play BTTF as Nikki and James had asked me to play it again as they walked into the Foundry Dining Hall at Wortley Hall where they were having their wedding breakfast. Now I know this piece works for the harp.

Do any of you lovely couples out there want me to play it, or any similar music, at your wedding? Feel free to get in touch! Click on the contact page if you have any special music requests for your ceremony.

EVERY wedding should have ice cream!

I managed to retain myself

Natural beauty everywhere you look - Wortley Hall Gardens

WEDDING FAYRES - AUTUMN 2019

Here’s a list of wedding fayres at which I’ll be exhibiting this Autumn, all courtesy of those lovely folk at Wedding Fayres Yorkshire:

15/9/2019 11am Huddersfield Town Hall
6/10/2019 11am Oulton Hall, near Leeds
20/10/2019 11am Dewsbury Town Hall
10/11/2019 11am Whirlowbrook Hall, Sheffield

Do keep checking here and on social media - I’m adding to this list all the time and I’m looking forward to meeting you. Come and have a relaxed, friendly chat about your wedding music! I’ve got some new music on my stand and a list of pieces I want to record, and another list I want to research, so if you’re looking for exceptional music for any event, do get in touch. I don’t just play for weddings either. My music can add a touch of refined elegance to your parties, anniversaries, corporate events, celebrations and Christmas too! Whatever your music requirements, come and listen to my harpbeat!

Deadlines

Changing Room

Victoria Baths

I must admit I’m a fan of deadlines. They seem to push me beyond the expectations I have for myself. I love the reminder that, even as I approach 50, I’m still capable of learning quite a lot of new things and retaining a significant amount of information, some of it useful and some less so. At times, I think my memory is like a sieve (a couple of weeks ago, I locked myself out of my own house - in fairness, I was preoccupied with what seemed like 50,000 thoughts going on at once and I was very tired), but when I consider how much knowledge my brain has to retain, I think I’m doing alright. Soon, I might make a list of things I’ve learnt so far this year. I think I’d surprise myself.

I’ve had my orchestral harpist head on since Wednesday evening and I’m really enjoying being immersed in that world once again. I’ve got a rehearsal and concert at beautiful Wakefield Cathedral tomorrow. I’m playing as part of the Amici Ensemble accompanying the Yorkshire Philharmonic Choir directed by charismatic Andrew Padmore in two works by John Rutter, neither of which I’ve played before. I haven’t had the music for long and after an initial read through of notes and symbols that seemed to be written in a foreign language, I persevered, working as much and as often as time permitted.

To my relief, it finally started making sense last night. I started to breathe as I was able to bring longer passages together to form coherent intelligible lines and phrases. It’ll still be to the wire as there’s a lot of everyday busyness to be dealt with. The devil is in the detail and I’ve reached one of my favourite stages during which the music gets its technicolour finishing coat. The music sounds so very different by this stage with much more refinement. I kick myself gently yet firmly at something that proved so challenging that now seems a whole lot simpler once I’ve identified the cause of the difficulty. I’m almost enjoying the adrenaline that comes with my slightly augmented stress levels. In moderation, it’s a useful natural substance.

Pre concert

The stage is set

It’s been rather a musical week all in all and I really love how the focus has shifted to my passion, one of my main “raisons d’être”. Music. I attended a really inspiring concert at the stunning Victoria Baths in Manchester last Friday. It was given by the Juniper Project, a duo created by harpist colleague and friend, Eira Lynn Jones and her flautist partner, Anna Rosa Mari. Sitting in the waterless pool, we were quite literally immersed in music. It’s one of three pools in this spectacular building. It’s under renovation and thank goodness for that. I love the juxtaposition of old and new buildings but it’s all too easy to resort to demolition rather than reviving our architectural treasures.

Well loved

Indoor picnic

These two accomplished musicians regaled us with their stunningly simple musically sensitive interpretations of varied repertoire with an aquatic theme flowing throughout. There really was something for everyone, including a little bit of Rutter, funnily enough. His works certainly are popular and he always writes satisfyingly substantial harp parts.

Talking of deadlines, I’ve got 10 good minutes left before I fall into a sleepy stupor. I’ve got another deadline for Sunday evening, but more about that in another blog post.

Have a super smashing weekend with some wonderful music. I know I will, because, let’s face it - I love being in harpist mode!

Kiss me quick!

A slightly bizarre scene in one of the pools

It’s Down to Business - A Clean Slate

Rhian Evans Tourist

It’s all go here at Rhian Evans Harpist HQ. I had a great holiday and although it was all too brief, I’m still feeling inspired and stimulated by my time away in Sardinia. It’s said that a change is as good as a rest and I’ve returned reverberating resonant ideas around my business. The day before my departure I had a positively fruitful meeting with mentor, business advisor and friend, Gareth Boot. A man of many talents, he’s just the person to help me gain some much needed clarity, focus and motivation. Find out more about Gareth here:

Technically challenged

Gareth putting his creativity to good use on my first video shoot

Drop him a line if you need help with your challenges, be they professional or personal. Our meeting helped get me on point and get my priorities straight for the next trimester. It’s with this meeting in mind that I’ve decided I need to streamline and simplify the many facets of my offerings as harpist, educator and writer. I’ve tidied up my website and you may have noticed I now have a News/Blog page.

This may well be the last blog post I write here for some time. I’ve reached the conclusion that I simply must devote more time to practicing and learning new music. Writing has to take second place for the time being. I have some musical projects lined up for the next few weeks that won’t go well or happen at all unless I sit down and do my work. As you might know, I love writing so this isn’t an easy decision, but I love making music and playing my harp more and I genuinely miss time sat studying my scores and exploring my instrument. It’s my haven and my therapy and I need that as much as I need food and water!

My aim now is to use this page to let you know about any engagements, performances and promotional events I’m doing so you can listen to my harpbeat! I’ve left the most popular creative blog posts up as well as a few posts that are close to my heart. Most importantly there’s still a lot of information about weddings.

If you’ve enjoyed reading my blogs, do let me know, especially if you know someone who might even pay me to do some writing for them!

Thank you for reading and have a great Summer!

Rhian

La Dolce Vita

Enjoying being in holiday mode. I really could get used to it! Anyone need a travel writer?

Bagden Hall Wedding Fayre

Elegant Eagles

in Yorkshire, not St Tropez

BAGDEN HALL

DENBY DALE, HUDDERSFIELD

SUNDAY 9TH JUNE FROM 11AM

I’m very excited to be playing my wedding favourites at Bagden Hall, a new venue to me a mere 20 minute drive away. I’m looking forward to meeting all you lovely couples interested in having beautiful customised live music tailored just for your wedding. I love to add a personal touch to any wedding celebration and Fayres are the ideal opportunity to meet me and see and hear what I have to offer.

Breathtaking setting

Bagden Hall

So if you’re getting married and you’re considering having live music on your special day, I do hope you’ll pop in to say Hi and listen to my harpbeat!

Duck!

I didn’t see any on my last visit though I’m optimistic about next Sunday…

Choosing Your Wedding Music

“Are you feeling confused about your choice of wedding music? Perplexed at the overwhelming array of options available to you? Here are a few tips on one of the most important aspects of your celebrations which sets the tone throughout your day”

I really love playing for weddings and it's a privilege to be closely involved in your special day.  Music is such a vital part of any celebration and especially the celebration of a loving relationship.  Over the years I’ve played at countless ceremonies and weddings and I know first hand the powerful impact the right piece of music can have.  My role is finding out which piece of music makes you tick and then adapting it to make it sound great on the harp.  To do this well and to give my own unique spin on a piece of music you love can take a while. From first listening to it to downloading a printed version online to making the piece yours can be a pleasantly time consuming process.  This means that you get your very own version of the song that has such significance for you.  This could be the first song you danced together to, or a song that was popular at the time you met.  

I recently met a couple at a wedding event who liked my playing and my music and they want a reggae classic for the bride's entrance music.  Intrigued, I asked if they could send me a link to the song to see if I could make it work.  Having listened to it, I know it’ll work and I feel quite excited about it.  With great lyrics, it's a lovely loving tribute from bride to groom, and most importantly I think it will sound gorgeous on the harp!

Thanks to technology and the internet now, the possibilities are endless.  I played for a civil ceremony in March and the bride was due to come and hear her request at a wedding event.  I was disappointed to find out at the last minute that the venue had decided to have a pianist instead without letting me know, putting me in a slightly awkward position with the bride-to-be who had planned to come and hear me play.  I got my thinking cap on and arranged a video call with her.  My lovely client was delighted with the end results! If you can’t meet me at a fayre, there are ways around this.

It's worth bearing in mind not everything works well on the harp and I'm happy to guide you in your choice of music.

If you're considering having live harp music at your wedding, here are some of the options I can offer:

Civil Ceremony

I’m set up and ready to play from 30 minutes before your ceremony and I play soothing background music from my repertoire list while guests await your arrival.  One of the key moments musically is your entrance.  It's important to get this one right so have a good think about this. You may have a specific piece of music in mind or you may need some ideas - either way I can help you choose the right piece for the mood you want to portray.  I then play for the signing of the register and while you have your photos taken, and finally I play a piece of your choice for your exit together.  

Registrars and venue staff are always delighted when you engage professional musicians - it takes the pressure off them having to press that button and it ensures the smooth running of your ceremony.

Drinks Reception (1 hour)

After your ceremony I can provide background music for you and your guests as you all enjoy your drinks and have your photos taken.  Please note that due to the unpredictable British weather, I don't play outside.  Some harpists do. I don't. The heavens could open either way at any moment and the worst things for my harp are direct sunlight or water.

Wedding Breakfast

Having live music can make a world of difference to the atmosphere while you have your meal, and again I can play from my broad selection of tried and tested pieces.

Church Ceremony

I love playing in the sacred and slightly more solemn setting of a church.  I set up well in advance of your ceremony time and I can play while your guests congregate.  A bridal march is appropriate and I have also played other requests in church.  

I can perform your hymns. Usually the church organist plays them - it goes with the setting and tends to rouse more singing!  I can play suitable background music while you sign the register and have your photos taken.  I can also play your exit music, or again you could have the organist play.  It all comes down to your personal preference.

I can offer a combination of the above options, although I don't do more than 2 elements. For example, Ceremony and Wedding Breakfast is fine but I wouldn't play for your Ceremony, Drinks and Wedding Breakfast - you can have too much of a good thing in my opinion.

The Money Question!  

My prices start from £250.  If you think this sounds like a lot, bear in mind the basic running and development costs of my business - website construction, hosting and updating, advertising, publicity photos and promotional materials, transport costs, harp strings, insurances and maintenance, buying sheet music, appropriate clothing and footwear, practice and training time, the dreaded tax bill, the list is long...  These expenses all contribute in providing you with the best wedding music experience I can possibly offer.

The easiest way to find out more about your choice of wedding music is by attending a wedding fayre, showcase or event and I do as many of these as I can.  If you have any questions you can get in touch by using the link to my Contact page above.  

I have plenty of wedding pieces in the Music section on this website and I update these on a regular basis. You can also view my videos here:

and listen to other sound clips here:

If social media is your thing, you can find out more about wedding fayres and my work on these platforms:

And if you see me looking quite intense and focused as I play at an event, do hang around for a chat - I occasionally come up for air and I'm much friendlier than I look when I play!

“I look forward to meeting you soon at a wedding fayre near you!”

To Hull And Back

Humber Bridge - am I the only one who sees harp strings?

It’s been another busy week here at Rhian Evans Harpist HQ. It was great to get away last weekend and be in orchestral harpist mode once again for a couple of days. I made a guest appearance with the Hull Philharmonic, playing the harp part for the hauntingly beautiful and challenging Viola Concerto by William Walton.

Velvet toned violist Tim Ridout took centre stage with authoritative humility. His performance featured some beautifully poignant characterful playing. The sturdy musician-ship of the Hull Phil was ably steered by Andrew Penny and it was an exciting performance. I realised I haven’t performed with orchestra since February and I felt a bit disorientated at first. I gradually allowed myself the spaciousness to absorb the multi-sensory experience of working within an unknown ensemble of musicians in the stately splendour of Hull City Hall. Feeling more relaxed by the second rehearsal, I really could get used to that role again, one I fell in love with at the tender age of 15 when I first played with Clwyd Youth Orchestra. Those were the days!

I had quite a scary moment at the end of the rehearsal when I couldn’t find my car keys despite emptying all my bags and pockets thrice. I dashed down to the security desk where Nick, the super friendly security guard handed them to me with a knowing look. The bench provided wasn’t adjustable so I went to the car to get mine. I was already in harpist mode and, preoccupied by thoughts of music, left my keys in the car door. Lucky me! Hull City centre on a Friday evening isn’t such a bad place after all!

Duck plant

Garden bed-side at Wortley Hall

On Sunday, the wedding fayre I’d been looking forward to didn’t quite go as I’d intended. I’d hoped to meet dozens of clients as excited and enthusiastic about my music as I am. My morning started well, with two sets of clients I met at the most recent Wortley Hall wedding fayre, who had come to finalise their music choices. Other than a little interest for 2020 and 2021, it was a bit of a damp squib despite the glorious weather.

Wisteria hysteria

at Wortley Hall. Artichoke plant in the foreground

People drifted past as I played to my harp’s content, and my music seemed to have little or no effect on them. Perhaps they’re drafting their enquiry emails as I type. Or maybe I need to buy a guitar and take singing lessons. I know from experience these things can take time and I’m optimistic I’ll get a couple of bookings eventually.

Idyllic car park

Wortley Hall just visible through those amazing trees

It was lovely to work with Wedding Fayres Yorkshire again, who ensured proceedings ran smoothly as always. I’m extremely grateful to Paris Tyrell of WFY who, with lightning speed, generously filmed and uploaded a short videoclip of me playing A Thousand Years to Instagram. I then shared it to Facebook so I’m learning slowly but surely. It might eventually make its way to YouTube. It hasn’t gone viral yet but it certainly looks like I’m down with the millennials. Well, as down with them as a 40 something harpist can be.

I’m generally an optimist and I prefer to look at the bright side, but I admit I’m struggling musically at the moment. I have no paid playing work until mid June, a thought that worries me. I’ve sat down and done some rough calculations and as it stands, I’m not breaking even with my harp performance work. I’m afraid I’ve lost a bit of motivation too, possibly due to this. I’m a teeny tiny individual trying to integrate a gigantic competitive hungry industry, and therein lies my problem. I don’t have the business acumen or financial backing necessary to kick start my wedding business in this day and age. This has led to me losing my musical mojo momentarily. I’m not commercially driven in the slightest. I love to play, and trying to build my business has taken me so far away from my playing that I scarcely practice anymore, let alone play for my own pleasure. I haven’t touched the harp since last Sunday, and I don’t like that one bit. I’ve taken on an additional 10 hours of shop work this week to secure June, and having that work is an absolute blessing. It keeps me sane and in the black.

Obsessed with music

Bloody rusty wrought iron treble clef from a recent walk run

One thing I’ve found to be an excellent substitute for performance and sharing my music is exercise. It must be the adrenaline and the endorphin rush that follows. In a similar way to practice, it’s awkward and uncomfortable at first, but after a while I find my rhythm, and there are even moments I enjoy feeling my body jiggling about, my feet slamming the tarmac vigorously. Having been told I don’t have a runner’s physique, I’m honouring the rebel within. I love the freedom, power and independence running offers me. Besides, it’s far healthier than some other options available!

Next week I’m off and if I have time, I’ll be putting my version of an out-of-office sign up here. I’m going AWOL and I can’t wait. I desperately need a change of scene to gain some clarity about my situation and perhaps some inspiration regarding a way forward. So there’ll be no blog post next week as I’m turning off my laptop and letting it gather dust for a few days.

See you again in June, and remember to keep loving live music! And maybe even living love music - think about it…

Wortley Hall skyline

Creative unblocking

Playing

Today is Thursday, and it’s music day! Thursdays are usually free days and I try to fill them with as many notes as I can fit in. Today, dear readers, I just haven’t been in the mood. I’ve succumbed to several seductive distractions and I’ve felt very tired, a feeling I’m convinced is down to the meteorological conditions. The weather outside is frightful, don’t let it snow. (There’s almost always a tune or twenty going on in my head!) I try to fight my fatigue by urging myself to practice. This usually follows a walk, or a bit of a run or some sort of time spent outdoors, but I don’t like getting wet and cold! Jumping in the pool for my aquafit classes ticks that box and provides the bracing boost I need to infuse my day with positive energy. I don’t have time to go to the pool every day, so I can’t wait for some sunshine so I can feel the embrace of the great outdoors again.

I have a busy weekend ahead with more playing than I’ve done for quite some time and my fingers are a bit sore. In an instinctive mood this morning, I played through two steadfast cornerstones from my solo repertoire slowly from memory to warm up and was reassured that it didn’t all sound hideous. Interestingly, the pieces sounded quite fresh. A note to my students reading this - practice has a knack of doing that! You can work like the devil and it may feel like your playing’s getting worse, but great music takes time to mature. I can convince myself that I’m the worst harpist ever if I haven’t racked up a certain number of hours’ practice during the week, which can lead to a downward spiral of no practice at all or a negative approach. Cultivating a healthy sense of responsibility is a useful tool here. So for example, I’ve got a performance/lesson coming up - how do I want to feel and what’s the process I need to implement in order to feel that way? Used well it can provide a healthy motivation. Used poorly it can be a tool for self flagellation and guilt. It’s our choice.

I have a LinkedIn account and I get email notifications from them on a regular basis. This morning’s email opened like this - “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. Those words fill me with sorrow and I’ll be deactivating my account as soon as I have time. I genuinely believe the best advertisement is word of mouth and from recent experience, the word of the mouth of the moment, social media, is no great shakes, at least not the way I’m doing it! There has to be a better way and I’m working on it…

I gave an interesting lesson on Monday. It reminded me how fortunate I am to have an abundance of knowledge and experience, and I’m determined to put my skills to good use. I have a very creative mind which can run riot if I’m not careful in channelling it. I think most creatives are wired similarly. The trick is harnessing that energy by becoming attuned to its ebbs and flows.

I played for an ultra chic wedding last weekend at a spectacular venue. It was like something out of a luxury bridal magazine. Unfortunately I didn’t take any photos to show you here as I had quite a lot on my mind. My car exhaust broke late on Friday afternoon, and I got it back just in time for my departure on Saturday morning. My Satnav won’t update so I was trialling an app on my mobile while carefully keeping half an eye on my Satnav, switched to silent, for some form of visual guidance. Needless to say, I arrived at my destination with plenty of time to spare - I’m always aware that incidents like the M62 drama yesterday can happen at any time. It reminded me of a wedding I was playing at a few years ago. I went to pack my car which looked lopsided. I soon realised I had a flat tyre. With the clock ticking, I called my breakdown company, and the mechanic came quite quickly considering it was a Sunday morning. My tyre was fixed and I got to the wedding just in time. I’m often criticised for leaving super early for professional engagements and this is precisely why. I’d rather be there with time to spare for a nap in my car and a coffee than be rushing or, heavens forbid, be late. There ought to be a name for this phenomenon, like Freelancer’s Fear. There probably is, I just don’t know about it. If I’m late or I don’t arrive, I won’t get paid!

This weekend I’m climbing back into the old orchestral saddle and although I feel underprepared by my standards, I’m really excited about playing a beautiful orchestral work and being part of a bigger group of musicians again. Preparing for it has reminded me of my love and passion for orchestral playing and I do feel some sorrow and regret that fewer opportunities come my way these days. I’m on an exciting journey! I’ve enjoyed the discipline of the preparation and the immersion into the music that’s required for a solid performance. I’m nowhere near where I’d like to be with it but I know it’ll be more than good enough. Like one of my teachers Germaine used to say, “On ne peut pas être au four et au moulin”…

Wishing you a great weekend, hopefully with a few more radiant rays of sunshine. Perhaps I’ll see some of you at the Wortley Hall Spring Wedding Fayre on Sunday. I can’t wait to share my harpbeat with you!

Me, Rhian Evans Harpist

at Wortley Hall. Image - John Steel Photography