String duo

Severn Duo

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About Severn Duo

Severn Duo is a vibrant violin/cello ensemble comprised of Jess Townsend and Tom McCluskey and active across the Midlands & the South.
String duo
South Gloucestershire
Public liability insurance of £10 million
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Severn Duo is a vibrant ensemble comprised of violinist Jess Townsend and her partner, cellist Tom McCluskey, and is active over the Midlands, Gloucestershire, Bristol and South Wales. 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 studied under Darragh Morgan and played in several chamber ensembles including the Hallows Trio and Mezin Quartet. In her last year at college, she was the only string player that year to achieve a full student placement with Welsh National Opera and rehearsed with them for several projects, and also participated in their side-by-side concert scheme. During this time, she also lead several ensembles including the RWCMD Opera Orchestra & Symphony Orchestra and was nominated for the Ian Stoutzker Prize. She had regular masterclasses with many esteemed musicians including Danny Phillips, Itzhak Rashkovsky & Rachel Podger. Tom studied under Alice Neary. In the years preceding his conservatoire studies, he appeared with his electric cello ensemble Nexus on MTV with singer Jayce Lewis. He regularly arranges music for ensembles, which has been performed at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall and was hired to write and perform music for the première of Finn der Fisch in Lörrach, Switzerland. At college, he was involved with the Mezin Quartet and the Bridge Trio and lead his section for RWCMD Opera's production of Cunning Little Vixen. Outside of college, Tom has enjoyed session recording, and has appeared on several professionally produced tracks as well as an album called "Beneath the Surface" by singer-songwriter Olivia Fern. After graduating, Tom and Jess moved to Reading to participate in a year's teaching internship with respected music service Berkshire Maestros. However, they moved back towards the English/Welsh border in the summer of 2016 to focus on their performing careers, and are now based near Bristol. Jess currently teaches part-time for Severn Arts, Elgar School of Music and South Gloucestershire Music. She also regularly freelances with the English Symphony Orchestra, and has been recently involved in several of their highly praised endeavours including a series of CD recordings of Krenek Concerti and John Joubert's Jane Eyre Opera premiere. Tom also teaches for South Gloucestershire Music and freelances across the country. Together, the duo recently collaborated again with Olivia Fern on a new album set to release later this year.

Encore badges
Lightning fast responses
Average response time under 2 hours
Saved the day!
Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
Most booked musician of 2021!
Member of the Encore community forum
Most booked musician of 2022!
7th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 7 years
75 gigs
Veteran: 75 bookings through Encore
Musicianship
Genres:
Christmas, Contemporary Christian, Military, Traditional church music, Classical, Baroque, Classical crossover, Contemporary classical, Film / TV music, Musical theatre, Opera, Pop, Acoustic, Covers
See all genres
Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
See all event types

Severn Duo's Song list

Traditional Ceremony Music/Hymns:
Canon in D - Pachelbel
Wedding March - Felix Mendelssohn
Wedding March - Richard Wagner
Trumpet Tune - Clarke
Trumpet Voluntary - Clarke
Ave Maria – Schubert*
Wachet Auf - Johann Sebastian Bach
Panis Angelicus - César Franck
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba - George Frideric Handel
Arioso - Johann Sebastian Bach
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Johann Sebastian Bach
Sheep May Safely Graze - Johann Sebastian Bach
Gabriel's Oboe - Morricone
Air from Suite in D (Air on the G String) - Johann Sebastian Bach
O Danny Boy/I Cannot Tell
How Great Thou Art
Classical:
Berceuse – Faure
Pavane - Faure
Palladio – Karl Jenkins
Nuvole Bianchi – Einaudi
I Giorni - Einaudi
Spring from the Four Seasons - Antonio Vivaldi
Winter from the Four Seasons - Antonio Vivaldi
Meditation - Jules Massenet
Humoresque - Antonín Dvořák
Hornpipe in D - George Frideric Handel
Hornpipe in F - George Frideric Handel
Air in D - George Frideric Handel
Air in F - George Frideric Handel
Bouree in F - George Frideric Handel
Menuet in G Minor - George Frideric Handel
Coro - George Frideric Handel
La Paix - George Frideric Handel
La Rejouissance - George Frideric Handel
Menuet in D - George Frideric Handel
Menuet in D Minor - George Frideric Handel
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Hungarian Dance No.5 - Johannes Brahms
Theme from Serenade for String Orchestra - Edward Elgar
Violin Concerto No.4 - 2nd Movement - Niccolò Paganini
Flower Duet - Léo Delibes
Theme from Brahms' First Symphony - Johannes Brahms
Blue Danube - Strauss
Ave Verum Corpus - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy – Tchaikovsky
Les Patineurs – Emile Waldteufel
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy - Tchaikovsky
Huit Morceaux - Gliere
Libertango - Piazzolla
Light Music/Easy Listening/Jazz:
Ashokan Farewell – Jane Ungar
At Last - Etta James
Cinema Paradiso - Morricone
Conclusion – Apocalyptica
Con Te Partiro (Time To Say Goodbye)
Dream a Little Dream of Me
The Entertainer - Scott Joplin
Nocturne
New York, New York - Frank Sinatra
Palladio - Karl Jenkins
Spring Song - Frank Bridge
Serenade to Spring – Lovland
Summertime – George Gershwin
Swing Low Sweet Chariot – Traditional
The River Flows in You – Yurima
The Sweetheart Tree – Henry Mancini
We’ll Meet Again
Musicals:
A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman
Dear Theodosia from Hamilton
The Phantom of the Opera - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Over the Rainbow (Wizard of Oz) - Harold Arlen
Over the Rainbow - Israel K
Singin’ In the Rain
Seasons of Love from Rent
Moon River (Breakfast at Tiffany’s) - Henry Mancini
If I Were A Rich Man
I Know Him So Well (from Chess)
Pop/Rock:
Adore You – Harry Styles
All Of Me - John Legend
All You Need Is Love - The Beatles
Angels – Robbie Williams
A Sky Full Of Stars – Coldplay
A Thousand Years - Christina Perri
Best Day Of My Life – All American Authors
Birdhouse In Your Soul - They Might Be Gannets
Bittersweet Symphony - The Verve
Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
Can’t Take My Eyes off You
Can You Feel The Love Tonight – Elton John
Collide - Howie Day
Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
Dancing In The Moonlight - Toploader
Dakota – Steroephonics
Despacito
Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
Don't You (Forget About Me) - Simple Minds
Dreaming Of You – The Coral
Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles
Everlong – Foo Fighters
Every Breath You Take – Sting
Falling Slowly – Glen Hansard/Marketa Irglova
Feel - Robbie Williams
Feel The Love – Rudimental
Fix You – Coldplay
Girls Like You – Maroon 5
Half the World Away - Oasis/Aurora
Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen
Happy - Pharrell Williams
Havana – Camila Cabello
Higher and Higher – Jackie Wilson
Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
Hey Jude - The Beatles
Hey Soul Sister – Train
Hey There Delilah – Plain White Ts
Hold My Hand – Lady Gaga
Holiday - Greenday
Home – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Hoppipolla – Sigur Ros
How Long Will I Love You? - Ellie Goulding
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing - Aerosmith
I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
Latch – Sam Smith
Let It Be - The Beatles
Little Bit Of Love – Tom Grennan
Love Is In The Air - John Paul Young
Love Story – Taylor Swift
Make You Feel My Love - Adele
Marry You – Bruno Mars
My Girl - The Temptations
Neighbourhood 1 (Tunnels) – Arcade Fire
Nothing Else Matters – Metallica
Ocean Eyes – Billy Eilish
One Day Like This – Elbow
Paradise – George Ezra
Perfect – Ed Sheeran
Perfectly Imperfect – Elle Varner
Rebellion (Lies) – Arcade Fire
Resistance – Muse
Say You Won’t Let Go – James Arthur
Secrets - One Republic
Set Fire To The Rain - Adele
Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) – Stevie Wonder
Sign Of The Times – Harry Styles
Skinny Love – Bon Iver
Sky Full Of Stars - Coldplay
Somewhere Only We Know – Keane
Stand By Me - Ben E King, Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller
Stay With Me – Sam Smith
Sweet Child O’Mine – Guns ‘N’ Roses
Thank U Next – Ariana Grande
The Chain - Fleetwood Mac
The Final Countdown - Europe
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Ewan MacColl
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
Timber – Kesha
Time Is Running Out - Muse
Truly, Madly, Deeply - Savage Garden
Videogames - Lana Del Rey
Viva la Vida – Coldplay
Wicheta Lineman – Glen Campbell
White Wedding – Billy Idol
Wildest Dreams – Taylor Swift
With Me – Sum 41
With or Without You – U2
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
Wouldn’t It Be Nice – The Beach Boys
Wrecking Ball – Miley Cyrus
You’ll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins
Your Song – Elton John
TV/Film/Games
All I Want Is You (from Juno) - Barry Louis Polisar
My Neighbour Totoro - Joe Hisaishi
Always With Me (from Spirited Away) - Joe Hisaishi
Theme from Game of Thrones
Rains of Castamere (Game of Thrones) *Not advised for weddings!
Concerning Hobbits (from Lord of the Rings)
May It Be (from Lord of the Rings)
Goodman's Theme (from Ghost Stories) - Frank Ilfman
Hedwig’s Theme (from Harry Potter) - John Williams
Let's Call the Whole Thing Off (from When Harry Met Sally)
Let It Go (from Frozen)
Everything I Do, I Do It For You (from Robin Hood) - Bryan Adams
Mario Theme
Married Life from Up
I See the Light (from Disney’s Tangled)
Cantina Band (from Star Wars)
Imperial March (from Star Wars)
You’ve Got a Friend in Me (from Toy Story) – Randy Newman
Maestro (from The Holiday) – Hans Zimmer
A Noble Maiden Fair (from Brave) - Patrick Doyle
Live & Let Die (from James Bond) – Paul & Linda McCartney
Love Theme (from the Godfather)
Love Story
Tale as Old As Time (from Beauty and the Beast)
Customer questions

Do you have different line-up options?

We'll always be a duo, but in the unlikely event one of us is unavailable for a date, we have a great selection of very talented musicians to take our places.

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

We always try to be as flexible as possible to help ensure things run smoothly - if timings need to change, please let us know as soon as possible and we'll do our best to accommodate any alterations.

How much time do you need to set up?

We will always arrive and set up at least 20 minutes before we are set to play so we have time to meet with you, or any events co-ordinators or managers and then unpack and arrange ourselves.

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

Of course! Please do pick out as many pieces of music from our lists as you like. Alternatively, we are more than happy to have a chat with you in order to guide you through music choices, or even pick for ourselves!

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Everything apart from chairs (they won't fit in the car with a violin and cello!).

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

Absolutely. At the moment, we include two free requests for new music as a part of our quote. If you require more, please have a chat with us and we can work out a fee which will cover the time it will take for us to write them out and rehearse them.

Severn Duo's Prices

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

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Up to 1 hour£350
Up to 2 hours£400
Up to 3 hours£450
Packages
Wedding Ceremony2 musicians
Music before the service begins, bridal entrance, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. Includes two new music requests.
£360

Add-ons

Music Request
+£15
Personalised Playlist
+£60
Severn Duo
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
4.9 out of 5
51 verified reviews
Satisfaction
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
4.9
Professionalism
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
4.9
Communication
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4.9
Punctuality
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4.9

Severn Duo's Reviews

From Encore customers:

NM
Natalie M
15 days ago
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5 out of 5

Severn Duo were a wonderful addition to our wedding. We had them for our ceremony music and our canepes and cocktails part of the wedding.. everyone had a great time. Would recommend to anyone wanting live music at their event. Jess and Tom were always very easy to contact and amend anything necessary, nothing was a problem. Thank you soo much xx

ST
Sue T
3 months ago
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5 out of 5

Severn Duo were fabulous! We were quite a late booking for a Christmas party, but they made everything easy. The music was excellent and very lovely people. Wouldn't hesitate to book them again.

DL
Drew L
3 months ago
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4.8 out of 5

Everyone loved Severn Duo at our wedding. The music was perfect and they are both amazing people. I’d recommend them to anyone and the value for money is unreal! Thank you both

NW
Niamh W
4 months ago
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5 out of 5

Severn Duo were just brilliant. I’m sure they played our entrance and exit songs wonderfully, but I was so full of adrenaline I hardly heard them haha! However our guests adored them, and it was so worth having Jess and Tom stay for our drinks reception too. Our celebrant (who’s probably seen her fair share of weddings) said that Severn Duo was as good as she’s ever heard in her time. Fantastic value for money in our opinion too, especially with being able to request two songs. Just all round amazing, thank you Jess and Tom, you added so much joy to our day ❤️ love Alex and Niamh

Read all 51 reviews

From other customers:

SW
Sally W
7 years ago

It was fantastic. Exactly how I imagined it [...] It really made the ceremony extra special.

KS
Kevin S
7 years ago

Jess and Tom (Severn Duo) performed a wonderful set for us at our wedding at Matara in Gloucestershire. We selected a range of songs from their repertoire and they even played a few of our own requests. They played every song perfectly which provided a wonderful atmosphere for the ceremony. Thank you so much Jess and Tom for being part of our big day!