Hire Fionnuala Donnelly Schmidt | Cellist in Sheffield

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From£250

1 hour

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Watch & Listen

1-3 of 7 videos

A thousand years - Christina Perri (The Piano Guys)

Yorkshire Cellist - Starlight by Muse. Arranged by F D Schmidt.

Pachelbel's Canon (Cello Lead)

Fionnuala in action

About Fionnuala

Cellist available for private hire, including garden parties, weddings and private parties.

3 of 4 photos

Cellist

Sheffield

Public liability insurance of £1 million

I am originally a Cellist from Belfast but have been living in Yorkshire for over 20 years now and consider it my home. I have been playing Cello since the age of 8 and currently perform solo at events, as part of a string quartet and as part of the Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra.

Fionnuala

5 out of 5

12 verified reviews

Satisfaction

5.0

Professionalism

5.0

Communication

4.8

Punctuality

5.0

Fionnuala's Reviews

5 out of 5

Absolutely amazing. Can't fault her talent and professionalism at all. Really listened to what we wanted played throughout the day and even kept the younger guests entertained with her Disney music. Guest couldn't believe how amazing she really was. Highly reccomend to anyone thinking of having a chellist for there wedding/event. She added such an element and romantic touch to the day

Reply from Fionnuala

23 days ago

Thank you so much for a beautiful review!. Your wedding day was so fun, especially with so many children enjoying themselves. It was a pleasure to be a part of it. xx

4.8 out of 5

We had a great experience with Fionnuala. She was very warm, friendly and her playing was a great fit for our event. She arrived well ahead of time and worked alongside us to ensure her set for with our plans. She is an extremely professional and generous asset to any event and we would not hesitate to recommend her to colleagues and would book her again for future events.

Reply from Fionnuala

1 month ago

Thank you Shirley for your kind words. They really mean the world to me. I am glad that the event went well for you all and I look forward to working with you in some capacity in the future. Kind regards Fionnuala

5 out of 5

Just beautiful, made our day so much more special, she was amazing! Thankyou x

5 out of 5

We’re so happy we booked Fionnuala for our wedding! As an experienced cellist, she knew which musical arrangements would work on the day — we were grateful for her advice and flexibility. We would definitely recommend. Thanks!

Read all 5 reviews

5 out of 5

Thank you so much for adding a touch of class to our big day. We recieved lots of great comments. And the Jaws theme worked perfectly, getting lots of laughs and setting the tone for our day. Have a great Christmas.

5 out of 5

Fionnuala was fabulous throughout the whole process of our wedding. Not only in helping with the music side of things but giving us support and tips along the way too. These little touches are hugely helpful in planning when it all can feel a little overwhelming! Muscially, everything was perfect, and our guests all really enjoyed it- we had several really impressed comments on the breadth of music played. Not only that be Fionnuala accommodated our perfect choice of exit (recessional) music which really made our day, as well as making the end of the ceremony a real celebration. If you need a wonderful musician, and person, at your wedding, you need look no further!

Read all 9 reviews

Encore badges

5 gigs

Experienced: 5 bookings through Encore

Saved the day!

Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice

7th Anniversary

This act has been working with Encore for over 7 years

Member of the Encore community forum

Fionnuala's Song list

BRIDAL PROCESSIONAL

Canon - Pachelbel

Gabriel’s Oboe - Morricone

Falling Slowly (from the film Once)

Glasgow Love Theme (from Love Actually)

Portuguese Love Theme (from Love Actually)

A Thousand Years - Christina Perri

All Of Me - John Legend

Caribbean Blue - Enya

Only Time - Enya

How Long Will I Love You - Ellie Goulding

Secrets - One Republic

“Intermezzo” (from Cavalleria Rusticana) - Mascagni

Bridal March - Wagner

For The Love of a Princess (from Braveheart)

Now We Are Free (from Gladiator)

She Moved Through The Fair

Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen

Here, There and Everywhere - The Beatles

Hoppipolla - Sigur Ross

HYMNS

All Things Bright And Beautiful

Amazing Grace

As The Deer Pants For The Water

Be Not Afraid

Be Still, For The Presence Of The Lord

Be Thou My Vision

Before the Throne Above

Dear Lord And Father of Mankind

Give Me Oil In My Lamp

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

Here Is Love Vast As The Ocean

How Deep The Father’s Love For Us

I Danced In The Morning (Simple Gifts)

I Want To Walk With Jesus

In Christ Alone My Hope Is Found

Jerusalem

Jesus is Lord, The Cry That Echoes Through Creation

Jesus All For Jesus

Knowing You Jesus

Lead Us Heavenly Father

Lord, The Light Of Your Love Is Shining (Shine Jesus, Shine)

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Morning Has Broken

O God of Love, To Thee We Bow

O Perfect Love

Praise My Soul, The King Of Heaven

Sing To The Mountains, Sing To the Sea

The King Of Love My Shepherd Is

The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want

There Is a Redeemer

Thine Be The Glory

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

SIGNING OF THE REGISTER:

Songbird - Eva Cassidy

Gabriel’s Oboe - Morricone

We’ve Only Just Begun - The Carpenters

Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen

Over The Rainbow (Eva Cassidy) - Arlan

Fields of Gold - Sting

All I Ask of You (from Phantom of the Opera) - Lloyd-Webber

You Raise Me Up

Let It Go (from Frozen - Kristen Anderson-Lopez

Beautiful Day - U2

Greatest Day - Take That

Now We Are Free (from The Gladiator)

For The Love of A Princess (from Braveheart)

Run - Snow Patrol

Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol

I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing - Aerosmith

Your Song - Elton John

Have I Told You Lately - Van Morrison

Can’t Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley

The Kiss (from Last Of The Mohicans)

Best Day Of My Life - American Authors

All I Want Is You - U2

Fix You - Coldplay

Halo - Beyonce

Love Story - Taylor Swift

It Must Be Love - Madness

I Will Wait - Mumford and Sons

Marry You - Bruno Mars

Rather Be - Clean Bandit

Next To Me - Emeli Sande

Sky Full Of Stars - Coldplay

Stand By Me - Ben E. King

Starlight - Muse

Tenerife Sea - Ed Sheeran

Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran

Perfect - Ed Sheeran

Viva La Vida - Coldplay

RECESSIONAL

Wedding March - Mendelssohn

Trumpet Voluntary - Jeremiah Clarke

“Spring” (from the Four Seasons) - Vivaldi

Arrival of the Queen of Sheba - Handel

La Rejouissance - Handel

P.M’s Love Theme (from Love Actually) - Craig Armstrong

Book Of Days - Enya

All You Need Is Love - The Beatles

Beautiful Day - U2

Greatest Day - Take That

Best Day Of My Life - American Authors

Starlight - Muse

The Kiss (from Last Of The Mohicans)

(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life - Bill Medley & Jennifer Warner

Let It GO (from Frozen) - Kristen Anderson-Lopez

Build Me Up Buttercup - Michael D’Abo

I Will Wait _ Mumford and Sons

It Must Be Love - Madness

Love Story - Taylor Swift

Marry You - Bruno Mars

Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now - Starship

Rather Be - Clean Bandit

Sky Full Of Stars - Coldplay

Gloria - Vivaldi

One Day Like This - Elbow

Viva La Vida - Coldplay

I Do, I Do, I Do - Abba

Don’t Stop Me Now - Queen

Hornpipe - Handel

Fionnuala's Prices

Last updated: 2024

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Performance duration	Price
Short performance (up to 15 min)	£150
Up to 1 hour	£250
Up to 2 hours	£400
Up to 3 hours	£600

Drinks reception

I will be present before guests arrive at the venue and will stay until they are called into the Wedding Breakfast. I will play a range of chart, pop, folk and disney for your guests as they enjoy their champage and canapes. I will finish my set when the guests are called to sit down for the wedding breakfast.

£325

Wedding ceremony

I will arrive at least 1 hour before the ceremony starts, to set up, warm up and play for arriving guests. I will play for which ever part of your ceremony you wish. This might include the Aisle song, the signing of the register and your exit music.

£325

Wedding Ceremony & Drinks Reception

I will arrive at least 1 hour before you ceremony begins, to set up and warm up. I will play for arriving guests as they take their seats and wait for the ceremony to start. I will play for which ever part of your ceremony you want music for. This might include the Aisle Song, the singing of the regsiter and your exit music. I will then move to your drinks reception and continue to play for your guests as they enjoy their champage and canapes. I will perform a mixture of chart, pop, folk and disney, finishing when the guests are called into the Wedding Breakfast.

£500

Customer questions

Do you have different line-up options?

No, it is just me, however I can be flexible if you would like me to play alongside/with another group e.g Organ / Singers

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

I will book out the day for your wedding, so timing changes will not be a problem.

How much time do you need to set up?

Not long. I need a place where I can store my Cello case (usually reception will have somewhere) and a chair. I take about 15-20 minutes to tune up and check levels if am using a backing track.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

I am open to suggestions and will try and play your favourite song. I will also try and appeal to the room, so if there are lots of kiddies, I will throw some disney in. If there are more older generations, I will throw some Beatles and jazz numbers in.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes, all I need is a chair.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

Yes, within reason.

What do your clients love most about your performances?

They love the fact that I can source songs that they have requested. They love that I produce a wonderful sound but take up very little space. They like that I am flexible to playing indoors and out.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Churches, hotels, private houses.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Bach, Beethoven, Jacqueline du Pre, Tchaikovsky,

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

Garden Party for a very influential person in York,

Musicianship

Genres:

Classical, Jazz, Folk, Pop, Rock, Christmas, Traditional church music, Musical theatre, Contemporary classical, Classical crossover, Traditional English folk, Traditional Irish folk, Acoustic, Covers

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Instruments:

Cello

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Event types:

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, Cruise, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve

See all event types

Other skills:

Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching

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