Celtic Harpist

Rachel Rutherford

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About Rachel

Glasgow-based clarsach player specialising in traditional Scottish, Irish, popular, classical, contemporary and original compositions.
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Celtic Harpist
Glasgow

A recent graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Rachel has over fifteen years of experience in playing the clarsach, or Scottish harp. She regularly plays for weddings and other private functions, and has performed in many venues including Edinburgh Castle for the Brave at Heart Awards in 2015 and in Theatre Alba's production of 'The Shepherd Beguiled' at the Edinburgh Festival in 2016.

Musicianship
Genres:
Scottish music, Folk, Traditional Irish folk, Traditional Scottish folk, Christmas, Film / TV music, Light music
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Instruments:
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Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Burns night, Birthday party
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Other skills:
Arranger, Composer, Songwriter, Instrumental teaching
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Rachel's Song list

Perfect (Ed Sheeran)
1000 Years (Christina Perri)
Songbird (Fleetwood Mac)
Bubbly (Colbie Caillat)
Here Comes the Sun (The Beatles)
Can't Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley)
Yellow (Coldplay)
Better Together (Jack Johnson)
Make You Feel My Love (Adele)
From This Moment (Shania Twain)
All I Want is You (Barry Louis Polisar)
How Long Will I Love You (Ellie Goulding)
Hallelujah (Jeff Buckley)
Heartbeats (Jose Gonzales)
Sweet Child of Mine (Guns N Roses)
You've Got a Friend (Martin Taylor)
For the Love of a Princess - Braveheart (Horner)
Glasgow Love Theme - Love Actually (Craig Armstrong)
Dos Oruguitas - Encanto (Sebastian Yatra)
Beauty and the Beast (Menkhen/Ashman)
Jurassic Park Theme (John Williams)
Somewhere Over the Rainbow - The Wizard of Oz (Judy Garland)
Edelweiss - the Sound of Music (Rogers/Hammerstein)
River Flows in You (Yiruma)
Canon in D (Pachelbel)
Flower Duet (Delibes)
Clair De Lune (Claude Debussy)
Amazing Grace
Divenire (Ludovico Einaudi)
My Love is Like a Red Red Rose (Robert Burns)
The Spectator (Rachel Rutherford)
O Waly Waly (Traditional)
Skye Boat Song (Traditional)
Loch Lomond (Traditional)
Thig am Bata (Traditional)
1000 Days and Nights (Ailie Robertson)
Logan Water/Ho Nan Tigeadh E (Traditional/Rutherford)
Theme of Love - Final Fantasy IV (Uematsu)
Aerith's Theme - Final Fantasy VII (Uematsu)
Zanarkand - Final Fantasy X (Uematsu)
Suteki Da Ne/Yuna's Theme - Final Fantasy X (Uematsu)
Customer questions

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

If timings change slightly in the run-up to the event, please just let me know.

How much time do you need to set up?

Not long at all! For weddings and other acoustic gigs I require ten minutes to tune and warm up to ensure my performance is the best it can be.

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

Any song from the list is included in the price, if you have a specific request for a song you would like me to play please get in touch - if I don't already know it I am happy to arrange it! One new arrangement is included in the pricings, additional songs have an additional charge: please see the price lists or get in contact for more details.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

As I usually play acoustically all I require to play is a normal, straight-backed chair.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

If a song is not included in the list there is a chance I do already know it, but if there is a special song you would like me to learn I am happy to do this for you. One new song is included in the pricings, additional songs have an additional charge: please see the price lists or get in contact for more details.

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Clients love that I have a delicate and sensitive touch to my playing, they also love that I always look like I am enjoying myself.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

I have performed at Crossbasket Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Airth Castle, Brigadoon Hotel amongst many others.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

As a harpist I have been influenced by Cheyenne Brown, Corrina Hewat, Heather Downie and Rachel Hair, all of whom I have had the privilege to learn from. I also draw from other diverse influences in my playing, from Sigur Ros to Hall and Oates.

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

I played for the Brave at Heart Awards in 2016 at Edinburgh Castle where the First Minister for Scotland presented awards to ordinary people who had performed acts of bravery in the past year.

Rachel's Prices

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

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£40
Up to 1 hour£160
Up to 2 hours£200
Up to 3 hours£300
Packages
Wedding ceremony
This includes music before the service begins, music for the processional, music during the signing of the register, music for the recessional and music as guests leave. This also includes one special song request to be arranged just for your wedding (subject to six weeks' advance notice).
£250

Add-ons

Additional Song Arrangement
+£25
Bespoke Composition
+£150