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.

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!

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!

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

Simplicity

Huddersfield Town Hall Wedding Evening

I'm quite excited about playing at the Huddersfield Town Hall wedding evening.  The event was supposed to take place in March but unfortunately snow stopped play, so I was delighted to get an email from the organiser last week confirming the event is going ahead.  I love Huddersfield Town Hall - it looks fantastic when it's done out for weddings and it feels quite special to be playing at this stunning historic local venue.  I have quite a history with it having performed at many concerts and recordings there over the years.

One of the stunning rooms at Huddersfield Town Hall

So if you're in town tomorrow evening and you'd like a chat about harp music for your event, come in and say hello!