Duncan Appleby's profile picture
Pianist

Duncan Appleby

Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
(5.0)Read all 4 reviews
Watch
Booking protection
Secure online payments
Free 48hr cancellations
Support available Mon-Sun
Like Duncan?
Watch & Listen
Watch
Listen

About Duncan

Multi-talented musician with a flair for performing: singing or playing piano or organ for parties, weddings and more.
Pianist
Guildford
Public liability insurance of £10 million
Verified profile

Duncan regularly perform in recitals across Britain, both collaboratively and solo. He has accompanied prize-winning singers in recitals in Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, and London. He trained at Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal College of Music. Until Easter 2022 Duncan was the Head of Keyboard at St Catherine's School in Bramley, Surrey for three years. Here he developed his improvisation skills to provide accompaniment for assemblies and classes, and on the odd occasion when a student forgot their music for a concert. Duncan completed his Master's degree in accompaniment at the RCM in 2016, studying with Kathron Sturrock. He performs a wide range of music, from continuo (Handel's Dixit Dominus, July 2017); to contemporary settings of Shakespeare by Rob Busiakewicz performed with prize-winning tenor Joel Williams; to a solo piano suite by Stanley Bate. He enjoys all music, but has a particular affinity for English composers. He is currently working on improving his jazz piano skills, and learning music for live streaming performances on the internet. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Birmingham Conservatoire in 2013. While in Birmingham, Duncan regularly accompanied others in classes, lessons and competitions. He played for a flautist's final recital, which included Jolivet's Chant de Linos. He accompanied many external recitals: part of Schubert's Die Schöne Müllerin and Finzi's Till Earth Outwears; The Nailmaker, by Midlands-based composer Robin Grant; and he accompanied baritone Themba Mvula in songs by Quilter and Copland, and cellist James Douglas playing Beethoven's 7 Variations on 'Bei Männern', and Schumann's Adagio and Allegro. Duncan spent the year between his degrees working in Edinburgh as an organist. In April 2014 he organised and performed a recital of Liszt's piano cycle Harmonies Poétiques et Religieuses. In August, Duncan accompanied soprano Ruth Hopkins performing Michael Tippett's The Heart’s Assurance, and songs by Purcell, Ireland and Britten.

Encore badges
Member of the Encore community forum
8th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 8 years
Musicianship
Genres:
Classical, Traditional church music, Christmas, Musical theatre, Baroque, Opera, Renaissance, Film / TV music, Contemporary classical, Jazz, Early music, Swing, Scottish music
See all genres
Instruments:
See all instruments
Event types:
Concert, Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Birthday party, Christmas party
See all event types
Other skills:
Fluent sight-reader, Repetiteur, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching, Audio engineer, Producer, Accompanist
See all skills

Duncan's Song list

Pop/Rock
Don't Want to Miss a Thing (Aerosmith)
All of Me (John Legend)
Classical piano for parties/functions
A selection of classical, baroque, and romantic music for a lively or relaxed mood
Organ music
Widor's Toccata
Popular wedding marches
Brewer - Marche Heroique
J. S. Bach - In Dulci Jubilo
Howells - 6 short pieces
Carillon de Westminster
Popular carols with descants
Collaborative piano/accompaniment
Poulenc - Flute and Clarinet sonatas
Hindemith - Oboe Sonata
Schubert - Arpeggione Sonata
Schumann - Dichterliebe
Songs by Finzi, Gurney, Schubert, Parry, Elgar
Instrumental music by Brahms, Mozart, Elgar, Handel
Duncan
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5
2 verified reviews
Satisfaction
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5.0
Professionalism
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5.0
Communication
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5.0
Punctuality
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5.0

Duncan's Reviews

From Encore customers:

DM
Duncan M
6 years ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Duncan was a great addition to the choir, he blended well with the group, which is so often not the case with deps. I would highly recommend him.

WP
Will P
8 years ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

From other customers:

PM
Pedja M
6 years ago

Ruth Hopkins and Duncan Appleby are true artistic partners who bring an imaginative theatrical vision to the vocal recital.

RH
Ruth H
6 years ago

Duncan is an accomplished pianist and excellent accompanist. I have enjoyed working with him over several years and would recommend him highly.