Severn Duo

Severn Duo is a vibrant ensemble founded by violinist Jess Townsend and her partner, cellist Tom McCluskey, and is active across the North West, Midlands and South West. As well as themselves, they have collected a talented pool of professional musicians from around the country to ensure the very best soundtrack for your day. The duo has a huge range of repertoire for your special day, from the traditional classics for the church ceremony, to light-listening and jazz for your wedding breakfast or drinks reception, and intimate pop duets for your first dance. If you have particular music in mind, Severn Duo will locate it or arrange it themselves. Jess & Tom met during their studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, having both entered with scholarships in 2011. Jess began learning the violin at the age of seven. Having achieved Grade 8 by the age of 12, she enjoyed several years with the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Youth ensemble before gaining an entrance scholarship to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2011 to study under contemporary violinist Darragh Morgan. During her studies at RWCMD, Jess achieved a placement on the Welsh National Opera side-by-side scheme and lead the college’s string, opera and symphony orchestras. After graduating, Jess has enjoyed a varied career. As a teacher, she has guided multiple students to Grade 8 and diploma level, some gaining places in national youth ensembles. As a professional orchestral player, Jess regularly plays for many ensembles including the European Union Chamber Orchestra, English Symphony Orchestra and Bristol Ensemble. Having formed Severn Duo with her partner Tom McCluskey in 2015, Jess has performed for weddings and events across the country and abroad, and has written and recorded string projects for clients worldwide. Tom grew up in Cumbria, UK, and in his childhood enjoyed playing with the National Youth String Academy. As a teenager he had a great interest in playing in a variety of genres, and his electric cello band Nexus appeared on MTV with singer Jayce Lewis and performed at the London O2 Arena. In 2011, Tom took up a scholarship place at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama to learn cello with esteemed Gould Trio cellist Alice Neary. As a student, he enjoyed performing success with the Bridge Trio and lead the section for the college’s operatic production of Janacek’s Cunning Little Vixen. Since graduating, Tom has had a busy career in performing, recording and teaching. He plays for multiple orchestras across the country including the Paradox Orchestra, British Sinfonietta and St Woolos Sinfonia. As a recording musician, he has written and recorded string music for over 1000+ clients with his string duo, Severn Duo, working from his home studio in Lancashire. His recordings regularly appear worldwide in movies, TV shows, adverts and games. Severn Duo's extra players are selected from a pool of professional players throughout the UK who are close colleagues of Tom and Jess. They are conservatoire trained and professional players who perform for many of the UK's top orchestras.