Book Sole Bay Strings, String quartet in Ipswich

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1 hour

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Mr Blue Sky

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About Sole Bay Strings

The #1 quartet, providing entrancing/exhilarating music for your wedding. 700+ songs/pieces to choose from. London & East Anglia

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String quartet

Ipswich

Public liability insurance of £10 million

Verified profile

Sole Bay Strings perform regularly throughout Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk and Cambs, We're happy to travel too and have appeared at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London and Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire amongst many others. Members of the quartet have busy professional careers, ranging from the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, West End Theatres and supporting local music authorities. We have a large range of music, with something for everyone.

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

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6th Anniversary

This act has been working with Encore for over 6 years

Musicianship

Genres:

Covers, Classical, Christmas, Contemporary Christian, Military, Traditional church music, Baroque, Classical crossover, Contemporary classical, Medieval music, Film / TV music, Fanfare, Early music, Musical theatre, Opera, Renaissance, 1920s era music, 1930s era music, 1940s era music, 1950s era music, 1960s era music, 1970s era music, 1980s era music, 1990s era music, Easy listening, Light music, Ragtime, Pop, Acoustic, Ambient pop, Americana, Disco, Funk, Funk rock, Hip Hop, Karaoke, Motown, R&B, Soul, Top 40, Tribute, Vintage, Rock, Alternative rock, Britpop, Classic rock, Glam rock, Indie, Pop rock, Post rock, Power rock, Progressive rock, Rock 'n' Roll, Synth rock, Tango, Indian music, Swing, Blues, Cabaret, Modern jazz, Latin jazz, Jazz, Gypsy jazz, Jazz fusion, Postmodern jukebox jazz, Punk rock, Hard rock, Heavy metal

See all genres

Types:

String quartet, String trio, Classical trio, Classical ensemble

See all types

Event types:

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

See all event types

Song list

Baroque

• Albinoni: Adagio in G minor

• Bach: Brandenburg Concerto no.3, Air from Suite no.3, Concerto for 2 Violins, Violin Concerto in E, Sheep May Safely Graze, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Arioso, Brandenburg Concerto No.2, Sleepers Wake, Badinerie from Orchestral suite no.2

• Clarke: Trumpet Voluntary

• Gluck: Che Faro (from Orfeo ed Eurydice)

• Handel: Water music, Largo, Minuet from Concerto Grosso op.6, March from the Ode to St.Cecelia’s Day, Come Unto Him from the Messiah, Chaconne, The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Presto from Acis and Galatea, Aria from Xerxes, Firework Music, Zadok The Priest

• Mouret: Rondeau

• Pachelbel: Canon in D

• Purcell: Trumpet Tune. Two Rondeaux (from Abdelazar &The Fairy Queen)

• Rameau: Tambourin

• Vivaldi: Selections from the 4 Seasons, Selected Concertos (RV 128, RV 141, RV 156, RV 157), Largo from Concerto for Guitar/Lute in D, Gloria in Excelsis & Domine Deus.

Classical

• Boccherini: Minuet

• Beethoven: Ode To Joy, (from The Choral Symphony), Fur Elise, Romance

• Haydn: Andante Cantabile, Selected String Quartets, including Op.76 No.4, Op.1 No.1, Op.3 No.5

• Mozart: Divertimento 1, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Alleluja from “Exultate Jubilate”, String Quartet K458, “The Hunt”

• Schubert: Ave Maria, Die Forelle

Romantic

• Bizet: Duet from The Pearl Fishers

• Borodin: Polovtsian Dances “Prince Igor”

• Bruch: Adagio from Violin Concerto in G minor

• Chopin: Nocturne in E flat

• Debussy: Clair De Lune

• Delibes: Flower Duet from Lakme, Coppelia Suite

• Dvorak: Humoresque

• Elgar: Chanson de Matin, Nimrod, Salut D’Amour

• Faure: Pavane. Berceuse, (from The Dolly Suite)

• Faure: The Dolly Suite

• Franck: Panis Angelicus

• Georges Bizet: Selections from Carmen

• Grieg: Last Spring

• Grieg: Waltz from op.12, Wedding day at Troldhaugen. Morning &Anitra’s dance from Peer Gynt

• Gustav Holst: Jupiter (from The Planets)

• Joseph Suk: Barcarolle

• Liszt: Liebestraum

• Mascagni: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana

• Massenet: Meditation

• Mendelssohn: Wedding March, Scherzo (from A Midsummer Night’s Dream)

• Monti: Czardas

• Puccini: O Mio Babbino Caro, from Gianni Schicchi, Nessun Dorma from Turandot, The Humming Chorus from Madame Butterfly

• Rachmaninoff: Vocalise

• Ravel: Bolero

• Rinaldo di Capua: O Sole Mio

• Rossini: Thieving Magpie Overture

• Samuel Barber: Adagio for Strings

• Schumann: Traumerai

• Smetana: Melody from “Vltava”

• Tchaikovsky: Selections from The Nutcracker Suite, Waltz from the Sleeping Beauty, Waltz from Swan Lake

• Verdi: Drinking Song from La Traviata

• Wagner: Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin

Light Classical/ Modern

• Andrew Lloyd Webber: Pie Jesu

• Arvo Part: Spiegel im Spiegel

• C. Saint Saens: The Swan, Dance Macabre (Theme from Jonathan Creek)

• Carl Davis: Pride & Prejudice theme (BBC TV series)

• Carlos Gardel: Tango por una Cabeza

• Charles Trenet: La Mer

• Dmitri Shostakovich: Romance (from The Gadfly), Second Waltz from Jazz Suite No.2

• Einaudi: Nuvole Bianche, Le Onde, Primavera

• Fred W Leigh: My Old Man

• George Gershwin: Rialto Ripples (1917)

• Glen Miller: Moonlight Serenade

• Henderson: Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue

• Henri Betti: C’est si Bon

• Henry Mancini: Baby Elephant Walk, Charade, Maggie’s Theme (from the Thorn Birds), Moon River.

• J. Strauss 2nd: Blue Danube

• J. Strauss: Emperor Waltz, Pizzicato Polka, Radetzky March

• Jay Ungar: Ashokan Farewell

• John A Glover-Kind: I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside

• John Rutter: For The Beauty Of The Earth.

• John Walter Bratton: The Teddy Bears’ Picnic

• Karl Jenkins: Palladio

• Lemare: Moonlight and Roses

• Leroy Anderson: Blue Tango, Horse and Buggy, Sleigh Ride

• Lionel Rand: Let There Be Love

• Matyas Seiber: Tango Habanera, Tango Argentinian

• Maurice Durufle: Ubi Caritas et Amor

• Max Richter: On The Nature Of Daylight

• Offenbach: Barcarolle

• Percy Grainger: Shepherds Hey

• Ralph Vaughan Williams: Linden Lea

• Ronald Binge: Elizabethan Serenade, The Water Mill, Sailing By (Shipping Forecast music)

• Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bocelli: Con Te Partiro

• Satie: Gymnopedie no.1

• Scott Joplin: The Entertainer, Pineapple Rag, Solace, Bethena, Easy Winners

• Sullivan: Three Little Maids (from The Mikado)

• Traditional : Greensleeves, Selected Christmas carols, The Gay Gordons, Erev Ba, Hatikva, Swing Low Sweet Chariot

• Vera Lynn: The Anniversary Waltz

• Waldteufel: Skater’s Waltz

• Walford Davies: R.A.F. March Past

• Weinberger: Polka from Schwanda the Bagpiper

TV/Radio theme tunes

• Blackadder: Howard Goodall

• Fawlty Towers: Dennis Wilson

• Hawaii Five-O: Morton Stevens

• Howards’ Way: Leslie Osborne & Simon May

• Jeeves & Wooster: Anne Dudley

• Match Of The Day: Barry Stoller

• Morecambe & Wise: Bring Me Sunshine

• The Archers: Arthur Wood (Barwick Green)

• The Good Life: Burt Rhodes

• The Muppets: Jim Henson

• The Sweeney: Harry South

• Thunderbirds Are Go: Barry Gray

Shows

• Anything Goes: Theme (Cole Porter 1934)

• Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything (Andrew Lloyd Webber)

• Babes In Arms: My Funny Valentine (Richard Rodgers 1937)

• Cats: Memory

• Fifty Million Frenchmen: You Do Something To Me (Cole Porter 1929)

• George White’s Scandals: Somebody Loves Me (George Gershwin 1924)

• Girl Crazy: Embraceable You, I Got Rhythm, George Gershwin 1930)

• Jubilee: Begin The Beguine (Cole Porter 1935)

• Lady Be Good: Fascinating Rhythm, Oh Lady Be Good, (George Gershwin 1926)

• Les Miserables: I Dreamed a Dream, Do You Hear The People Sing?, One Day More, On My Own, Stars, A Heart Full Of Love, (Claude-Michel Schonberg)

• Me and My Girl: Leaning on a Lamppost, (Noel Gay)

• Mr Cinders: Spread a Little Happiness (Vivian Ellis 1929)

• My Fair Lady: On The Street Where You Live (Alan J Lerner)

• Oh Kay! Someone to Watch Over Me: (George Gershwin 1926)

• Oliver: I’d Do Anything, Food Glorious Food (Lionel Bart)

• Pal Joey: Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered (Richard Rodgers 1940)

• Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night, All I Ask Of You, Masquerade, Love Never Dies, (Andrew Lloyd Webber

• Porgy & Bess: Summertime, I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’, (George Gershwin 1935)

• Red Hot And Blue: Ridin’ High (Cole Porter 1936)

• Strike Up The Band: The Man I Love (George Gershwin 1927)

• The Pajama Game: Hernando’s Hideaway (Jerry Ross)

• Whoopee: Makin’ Whoopee (Walter Donaldson, sung by Bing Crosby in 1928 and Ella Fitzgerald in 1958)

Film

• A Walk To Remember: Only Hope (Mandy Moore)

• Aladdin: Prince Ali (Alan Menken)

• Armageddon: I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing (Aerosmith)

• Back to the Future: Earth Angel (The Penguins)

• Beauty and the Beast: Something There, Tale As Old As Time, (Alan Menken)

• Born To Dance: I’ve Got You Under my Skin (Cole Porter 1936)

• Carousel: You’ll Never Walk Alone (Rodgers)

• Despicable Me 2: Happy (Pharrell Williams)

• Enchanted: True Love’s Kiss (Alan Menken)

• Fifty Shades of Grey: Earned It (The Weeknd)

• Follow the Fleet: Let’s face the Music (Irving Berlin1936)

• Frozen: Let It Go (Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez)

• Game of Thrones: Theme

• Harry Potter: Hedwig’s Theme (John Williams)

• James Bond Themes: James Bond theme, (Monty Norman), We Have All The Time In The World, (from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, both by John Barry), Diamonds Are Forever (John Barry), Goldfinger, Nobody Does It Better (from The Spy Who Loved Me, by Hamlisch)

• Jurassic Park: Theme (John Williams)

• Ladies in Lavender: Theme (Nigel Hess)

• Love Actually: Glasgow Love Theme, P.M.’s Love Theme, (Craig Armstrong)

• Love Story: Where Do I Begin? (Francis Lai)

• Moulin Rouge: Come What May (David Baerwald)

• Notting Hill: She,(Elvis Costello)

• Pennies From Heaven: Arthur Johnston,1936, (Sung by Bing Crosby & Frank Sinatra)

• Puttin’ On The Ritz: Irving Berlin

• Raiders Of The Lost Ark: Theme (John Williams)

• Schindler’s List: Theme,(John Williams)

• Shall We Dance: They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Walking The Dog Promenade,(George Gershwin 1937)

• Show Boat: Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man (Jerome Kern)

• Singin’ in the Rain: Theme (Nacio Herb Brown 1952)

• Star Wars: Theme, The Throne Room Scene (John Williams)

• The Dam Busters March: Eric Coates

• The Deer Hunter: Cavatina (Stanley Myers)

• The Draughtsman’s Contract: Chasing Sheep is Best Left To Shepherds (Michael Nyman)

• The Godfather: Theme and Waltz (Nino Rota)

• The Holiday: Maestro (Hans Zimmer)

• The Jungle Book: The Bare Necessities, I Wanna Be Like You

• The Lion King: Can You Feel The Love Tonight, The Circle of Life (Elton John)

• The Little Mermaid: Under The Sea (Alan Menken)

• The Lord of the Rings: Concerning Hobbits (Howard Shore)

• The Mission: Nella Fantasia, (Ennio Morricone)

• The Notebook: Main title and excerpt from Overture, (Aaron Zigman)

• The Sound Of Music: How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? Edelweiss (Richard Rodgers)

• Titanic: My Heart Will Go On (James Horner)

• Toy Story: You’ve Got A Friend In Me (Randy Newman)

• True Romance: Theme (Carl Orff)

• Twilight: Bella’s Lullaby (Carter Burwell), A Thousand Years, (Christina Perri), Butterfly Waltz (Brian Crain), River Flows In You (Yiruma)

Bollywood

• Kabhi jo badal barse

• Kabootar Ja Ja Ja

• Kuch kuch hota hai

Rock/Pop

• Abba: Mamma Mia, I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do, Money Money Money

• ACDC: Thunderstruck

• Adele: Make You Feel My Love (Bob Dylan)

• American Authors: Best Day Of My Life

• Andy Williams: Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Music To Watch Girls By.

• Barry Mannilow: Copacabana

• Ben E King: Stand By Me

• Bette Midler: The Rose

• Beyonce: Halo

• Bill Withers: Ain’t No Sunshine, Just The Two Of Us

• Billy Joel: Piano Man, Uptown Girl

• Blur: The Universal

• Boy Meets Girl: Waiting for a Star to Fall

• Bread: Make It With You

• Bruno Mars: Just the Way You Are, Marry You

• Bryan Adams: Everything I Do

• Chas & Dave: The Sideboard Song

• Clean Bandit: Rather Be

• Coldplay: Viva La Vida, Paradise, Fix You, A Sky Full of Stars

• Damien Rice: The Blower’s Daughter

• David Bowie: Let’s Dance, Heroes

• Dean Martin: Sway (Pablo Beltran), That’s Amore (Harry Warren)

• Desree: Kissing You

• Doris Day: Perhaps

• Duke Ellington: It Don’t Mean a Thing, (if it ain’t got that swing)

• Ed Sheeran: Thinking Out Loud, Perfect, Shape of You

• Elbow: One Day Like This

• Electric Light Orchestra: Mr Blue Sky

• Elton John: Your Song

• Elvis Presley: The Wonder Of You, Can’t Help Falling in Love

• Enya: Aniron, Orinoco Flow, Only Time

• Eric Clapton: Wonderful Tonight

• Eternal: I Am Blessed

• Etta James: At Last

• Eva Cassidy: Fields Of Gold, (Sting), Songbird, (Christine McVie)

• Ewan MacColl: The First Time Ever I Saw Your face

• Foo Fighters: Everlong

• Frank Sinatra: Angel Eyes (Matt Dennis), Strangers in the Night (Bert Kaempfort), Come Fly With Me, Love and Marriage (both by Jimmy Van Heusen), I’ve Got You Under My Skin (Cole Porter), A Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square (Sherwin), Fly Me To The Moon (Bart Howard), My Way

• Guns & Roses: November rain, Sweet Child Of Mine

• James Blunt: You’re Beautiful

• Jason Mraz: I’m Yours

• Jennifer Rush: The Power Of Love

• Joe Cocker: You Are So Beautiful

• John Legend: All Of Me

• John Lennon: Imagine

• Johnny Cash: Darlin’ Companion

• Jon Bon Jovi: Diamond Ring

• Journey: Don’t Stop Believin’ (from Glee)

• Kylie Minogue: Can’t Get You Out Of My Head

• Leonard Cohen: Hallelujah

• Lionel Ritchie: Three Times A Lady

• Lou Reed: Perfect Day

• Louiguy: Cherry Pink

• Louis Armstrong: What A Wonderful World

• Madness: It Must Be Love (Labi Siffre)

• Michael Buble: Lost, Home

• Michael Jackson: Smooth Criminal, Billie Jean

• Muse: Starlight

• Nat King Cole: Unforgettable

• Oasis: Wonderwall, Champagne Supernova, Don't Look Back In Anger

• Paul Simon: Bridge Over Troubled Water

• Paul Weller: You Do Something To Me

• Procol Harem: A Whiter Shade Of Pale

• Queen: Love Of My Life, We Are the Champions, You’re My Best Friend, Don’t Stop Me Now, Crazy Little Thing Called Love

• Richard Marx: Right Here Waiting For You

• Rihanna: We Found Love

• Ritchie Valens: La Bamba

• Robbie Williams: Angels

• Robert Miles: Children

• S Club 7: Two In A Million, Reach For The Stars

• Sam Smith: Stay With Me

• Seal: Kiss From A Rose

• Shania Twain: From This Moment

• Sigur Ros: Hoppipolla

• Snow Patrol: Run, Set The Fire To The Third Bar, Chasing Cars

• Spice Girls: 2 Become 1

• Stevie Wonder: Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Sir Duke, Isn’t She Lovely

• Sufjan Stevens: Chicago, (mash-up with Clocks by Coldplay), That Dress Looks Nice

• Take That: Greatest Day, Rule The World

• Taylor Swift: Love Story, Wildest Dreams

• The Bangles: Eternal Flame

• The Beach Boys: God Only Knows

• The Beatles: All You Need Is Love, Something, Here There and Everywhere, My Love, Penny Lane, Lady Madonna, Hey Jude, Get Back, Eleanor Rigby

• The Black Eyed Peas: I Gotta Feeling

• The Carpenters: Close to You, We’ve Only Just Begun, Top Of The World, Yesterday Once More

• The Charlatans: Loving You Is Easy

• The Darkness: I Believe In A Thing Called Love

• The Doors: Light My Fire

• The Killers: When You Were Young, Mr Brightside

• The Righteous Brothers: Unchained Melody

• The Rolling Stones: Paint It Black

• The Seekers: I’ll Never Find Another You

• The Verve: Bitter Sweet Symphony

• The White Stripes: Seven Nation Army

• Tom O'Dell: Real Love (John Lennon song, used for the 2014 John Lewis advert, Monty the penguin)

• Toni Wine & Carole Bayer Sager: A Groovy Kind of Love

• Tony Bennett: Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye (Cole Porter)

• Tony Orlando: Tie A Yellow Ribbon

• Van Morrison: Have I Told You Lately

• Westlife: You Raise Me Up

There is too much music here to fit in our folders, so if you have a preference, please let us know in advance and we’ll bring a copy along! You can choose Classical music, or modern shows and rock/pop pieces for your ceremony, drinks reception or wedding breakfast/ black tie dinner.

Customer questions

Do you have different line-up options?

We normally play as a quartet (2 violins, viola and cello). We also have a trio option (violin, viola and cello) and a duo (violin and cello)

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

We always try our 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 us know. We aim to have timings agreed 2 months before the date.

How much time do you need to set up?

We usually set up 40 minutes before we play. We have no electronic equipment to test, so it's just us, our music stands and our instruments.

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

We encourage you to chose all the music for a wedding ceremony as this is often very personal and meaningful. When we play for a drinks reception or a similar function, it's usual for clients to pick 4 or 5 pieces per hour. We have countless performances to draw from to ensure your guests enjoy our music. It is possible to pick a complete set list though.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

The only things we require are 4 chairs without arms and shade from direct sunlight. Otherwise we are ready to go!

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

If a song isn't included in our song list there may still be a chance we already know it. If there is a special song you'd like us to learn we are happy to do this for you. There is a fee of £30 for this service to take into account rehearsal times etc.

What do your clients love most about your performances?

The exquisite sound of the instruments. We're approachable and friendly and have oodles of experience of performance. Tingles down the spine and emotions of happiness. Our music can be very deep and meaningful or light and carefree. Adding a real touch of class to your event. Talented.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Too many to name here - Braxted Park, Stoke by Nayland Golf and Spa, Glemham Hall, White Dove Barns, Seckford Hall, Wherstead Park, Kesgrave Hall, Le Talbooth, Maison Talbooth, Hengrave Hall, Barrards Hall, The Bull Long Melford, The Athenaeum, Priory Hall Hadleigh, Butley Priory, Helmingham Hall, Quendon Hall, Elms Barn, Easton Grange, Prested Hall and more

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

We are conservatoire trained and each have our own personal role model. Stephen Isserlis and Nigel Kennedy rank very highly amongst others.

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

Performing for Stephen Fry's 50th - as the guests arrived and chatted over drinks and canapes. It was classy!

Prices

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

Performance duration	Price
Up to 1 hour	£650
Up to 2 hours	£740
Up to 3 hours	£840

Wedding ceremony4 musicians

This includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.

£580

Drinks reception4 musicians

Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your drinks reception

£620

Wedding ceremony + Drinks reception + Dinner4 musicians

- Music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. - 2 x 45 min performances at the drinks reception. - 2 x 45 min performances as dinner is being served.

£840

Sole Bay Strings

5 out of 5

7 verified reviews

Satisfaction

5.0

Professionalism

5.0

Communication

5.0

Punctuality

5.0

Reviews

5 out of 5

Their performance was stunning & all my friends & family commented on how amazing they were, thank you so much!

5 out of 5

Sole Bay Strings sounded beautiful! Would definitely recommend. Thank you for making us feel at ease and providing lovely music for our guests to enjoy. Jo and Chris

5 out of 5

Dear Jo and the rest of Sole bay strings, We just want to say a massive thank you for playing on our special day. Your music was stunning and just made the day so perfect for us both. You are all so talented and we have had so many compliments about you from our guests. (We heard you were a little warm up on the balcony for the ceremony but hope it wasn’t too bad for you)... You’re playing at our friends wedding on the 13th April and we are so looking forward to hearing you again! I’ve attached a photo for you all! Kindest regards and many thanks, Rachael and Jason

5 out of 5

Dear Jo, Thank you so much for coming to play so beautifully at the reception for my wedding on the 15th September - you were all so brilliant and played so beautifully and really made the drinks reception so wonderful, and I can only apologise that I was so swept up in the whole thing that I didn't have the chance to come over and say hello. But thank you so much - you really made all the difference to the most wonderful and special day. with many thanks,

Read all 8 reviews