Hire Mairi McKellar | Violist in Cardiff

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From£200

1 hour

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Mairi's St Mary's Recital

Hire a Performer - Mairi McKellar, Viola

Telemann Viola Concerto

About Mairi

A classical violist and singer from Scotland, based in Cardiff. Currently studying a Master's Degree in Orchestral Performance at RWCMD

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Violist

Cardiff

Public liability insurance of £10 million

Mairi began playing viola aged 9, and first performed in 2010 with Hillfoots Music for Youth. In 2014, she began studying with violist Katherine Wren, who encouraged her to look farther for orchestral opportunities, which lead to her joining and leading the viola sections of: the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland (2018-2022), playing in their Senior and Symphony orchestras, Edinburgh Youth Orchestra (2017-2018). She has also been a member of Grampian Youth Orchestra (2019), and currently is part of the Amadeus Orchestra (2022-present) and the Caledonain Chamber Orchestra (2023-present). Since starting at the University of Aberdeen in 2019, she has been studying with violist Laurie Rominger, and was awarded the Carlaw Music Scholarship. She led the Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra viola sections for all four years of her studies, performed as the soloist for Telemann’s Viola Concerto in D major in the Baroque Ensemble’s 2022 Spring Concert and for Forsyth’s Viola Concerto in G minor in the University of Aberdeen Symphony Orchestra’s 2023 Spring Concert. She graduated with First Class Honours from the University of Aberdeen, and in September 2023, she began a master’s degree in Orchestral Performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Mairi

5 out of 5

1 verified review

Mairi's Reviews

5 out of 5

Mairi has been a reliable, punctual and enthusiastic member of several projects recently. The addition of her to the viola section has been an essential asset to some recent performances and I have enjoyed working with her.

Cecil Forsyth's 'Viola Concerto' turned out to be marvellous, full of carefully placed melody and with a splendid sense of conversation between soloist and orchestra. The Concerto opened with explosive orchestral chords to which the viola responded and then spun out a melody over whispering strings. Soloist Mairi McKellar drew so many different sounds from her instrument. There were deep low tenor-like voices, sudden rasping explosions and beautiful smooth-singing melodies. Her extensive cadenza in the first movement was wonderfully well played. Forsyth concluded it in a delicate way bringing in light from the timpani. The viola had a dancing melody to which the orchestra responded. The second movement 'Andante' had lovely playing from the cor anglais and Mairi had a passage supported by muted strings. She tackled the 'Allegro con Fuoco' with admirable verve. A cymbal clash introduced the final sectionwith a dance-like passage and a melody shared by the viola and the orchestra. How marvellous at my late age to discover that there is still much wonderful tonal music to discover. Many thanks to [conductor] Chris Collins and the orchestra for programming a forgotten piece like this.

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Mairi's Song list

All movements from Bach Cello Suite 1

All movements from Bach Cello Suite 2

All movements from Bach Cello Suite 3

'Concerto for Viola and Strings in D', Telemann

'Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in D', Hoffmeister

'Rhapsody Concerto for Viola', Martinu

'Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in G minor', Forsyth

'Sonata for Viola and Piano in F minor', Brahms

'Sonata for Viola and Piano in A minor', Schubert

'An Evening Suite for Viola and Piano', Robert Bridson

'Les Tendres Plaintes', Rameau

String solo/duo/trio/quartet arrangements including:

'Killer Queen', Queen

'And So It Goes', Billy Joel

'Home', Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

'Love of My Life', Queen

'Lay All Your Love on Me', ABBA

'Yesterday', The Beatles

'The Partisan', Leonard Cohen

'Hallelujah', Leonard Cohen

'Lullaby', Sleeping at Last

'Wildest Dreams', Taylor Swift

'Carry Me', The Seekers

'Amazing Grace', John Newton

'Another Love', Tom Odell

'California Dreaming', Mamas and Papas

'Erlkonig for Violin and Viola', Schubert

Mairi's Prices

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

Performance duration	Price
Short performance (up to 15 min)	£62.50
Up to 1 hour	£200
Up to 2 hours	£250
Up to 3 hours	£312.50

Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

My professionalism, my flexibility and ability to adapt depending on the event type, and my friendly approach in the organisation process.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Exeter Cathedral Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh Elphinstone Hall, University of Aberdeen King's College Chapel, University of Aberdeen St Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen Usher Hall, Edinburgh Glasgow Royal Concert Hall City Halls, Glasgow Caird Hall, Dundee Perth Concert Hall Aberdeen Music Hall Albert Halls, Stirling

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

David Aaron Carpenter, Kim Kashkashian, Timothy Ridout, Tabea Zimmerman, Nicola Benedetti

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

I performed for Queen Consort Camilla at the 10th anniversary of her appointment as Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen

Do you have different line-up options?

Yes! There are different options of string duos, trios, quartets, quintets (all with the option of including piano). There will be an additional fee for each musician, to ensure they are paid properly for their work.

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

I always try my best to be flexible to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change slightly in the run up to the event, just let me know.

How much time do you need to set up?

I usually set up about 1 to 1.5 hours before the performance time. As soon as any equipment is set up I can provide a free playlist service to help set the atmosphere and get your guests ready for our live performance!

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

My set lists are crafted from countless performances and learning what works best to ensure guests dance and have an amazing time. However, I'm definitely happy to chat through and make sure I find what works for your event.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes, absolutely! I bring my own instrument to play acoustically.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

If a song isn't included in my song list there is still be a chance I already know it. If there is a special song you'd like me to learn I am happy to do this for you. There is an additional fee for this service to take into account rehearsal times.

Musicianship

Genres:

Classical, Baroque, Classical crossover, Early music, Contemporary classical, Film / TV music, Medieval music, Musical theatre, Opera, Renaissance, Christmas, Ceilidh, Folk, Traditional Scottish folk, Scottish music

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Instruments:

Viola, Baroque viola

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Event types:

Wedding, Virtual event, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Charity event, Corporate event, Private event, Hotel / Restaurant event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, New Year's Eve, Christmas party, Birthday party

See all event types

Other skills:

Arranger, Transcription, Actor, Dancer, Fluent improviser, Fluent sight-reader, Perfect pitch, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching, Composition teaching, Community music worker, Musicologist, Composer

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