Ambrosian Strings

Music for the most important moments

Live music has always been the jewel in the crown of any festive occasion as it has the power to transform an atmosphere from sombre to celebratory in an instant. As top level professional musicians we can guarantee that the quality of our performances are second to none and that we will be able to provide an ideal underscore for your most important day.

About

Ambrosian Strings is a string quartet (2 violins, viola and cello) of well established, highly respected professional musicians. The members are some of the most respected players in the country. We have all played in many of the great Orchestras and Chamber groups both in this country and abroad. You can be assured that we bring a wealth of ability and experience to your celebration.

Ambrosian Strings members have been playing together on professional stages for over 20 years. We are friends and colleagues from the top tiers of the British professional music scene, coming together to bring our love of music to your special occasion.

See below for our available musicians

Meet our musicians

What we do

Weddings

The intimacy, beauty and grace of a string quartet, accompanying the bride on her walk down the aisle will fuse this moment in time and will last in the memory forever. 

AS are happy to provide music at any point during your wedding day, whether it be the ceremony itself, the hotel drinks reception in the afternoon, as background music during the wedding meal, or after the meal, as live music and entertainment. However, the wedding ceremony is perhaps the most important part of your day, and for this, AS provide the highest possible level of service to meet your needs and requirements.

Please contact us to arrange your bespoke music package.

Functions and parties

From a relaxed, low key gathering to an evening of lively musical entertainment, Ambrosian Strings can provide the perfect level of music for your occasion. For larger functions, microphones and a PA system are also available.

Funerals

Ambrosian Strings can help cast a profound and meaningful atmosphere to a mournful occasion. As funerals are generally more pensive, intimate occasions there is also an option to hire us as a violin and cello duo.

Repertoire

Here’s a selection of the music that we have. There are many more works available - and we’re adding to the list all the time. If your favourite pieces aren’t available for string quartet, we can have it arranged especially for you!

Get in touch

We’d love to hear from you to hear about your event, just drop us a line! For the quickest response please fill out the contact form here, we’ll be in touch with you - usually within 24 hours.

    Other contact details below. Please be aware that as busy musicians we cannot always answer the phone or respond to emails quickly, so please use the contact form when possible.
    0788 6201643
    Email now

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Playing requirements?

    Our needs are quite simple! Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here.

    Prices why are we premium?

    Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here.

    Outside performance requirements

    Answer goes here
    Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here.

    Amplification

    Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here.

    How long?

    Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here.

    Multiple venues?

    Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here.

    Music not on the list….

    Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here.

    Clothes….

    Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here.

    Rates

    Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here. Answer goes here.

    Meet our musicians

    Image

    Catherine

    Violin

    Catherine graduated from The Royal Academy of Music, studying violin with Jacob Collier’s grandad, Dereck. She has performed at festivals and venues across Europe and recorded and toured with artists such a George Michael, Paul McCartney, Paul Weller and Bryan Ferry.
    Image

    Chris

    'Cello

    Since graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music Chris performs regularly with orchestras and chamber ensembles around the South-West as well as broadcasting on Radio 3. He directs the ‘Mighty Orchestra’ initiative, runs masterclasses for the South West Music School and in his spare time directs a gospel choir.
    Image

    Catherine

    Violin

    Catherine studied with Nona Liddell at the Royal Academy of Music. Since then she has been in much demand as a soloist, orchestral and chamber music player. She has performed as a soloist with the Ten Tors Orchestra and played as a regular guest in the English Philharmonic, the Mantovani Orchestra and South West Mozart Players. Catherine has also recorded extensively for the BBC.
    Image

    Leonie

    Viola

    Leonie graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and has enjoyed a diverse and busy freelance career, working with the Endymion Ensemble, London Mozart Players as well as playing solo and chamber music across Europe and beyond. Leonie recently relocated to Barkham on Exmoor which is fast gaining a reputation as an inspirational performance and recording venue
    Visit Barkham
    Image

    Steve

    Violin

    Steve started his professional life as a freelance violinist based in London, playing with many top orchestras and ensembles, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, the Kreisler String Orchestra and Kent Opera,. Steve was for many years a member of early music group, the Carnival Band, best known for their Christmas tours with folk legend Maddy Prior. Steve plays with the Dartington Sinfonietta. Steve is also a composer, notably of 'Blue Pearl: A One World Oratorio', which has its world premiere in May 2022, with the London Mozart Players, Excelsis and Vox Farnham Chamber Choirs.
    Image

    Tirke

    'Cello

    Tirke began to learn the piano at the age of 6 and the cello at the age of 9. She studied with Florence Hooton at the Royal Academy of Music and Joan Dickson at The Royal College of Music in London. During that time she had the opportunity to have lessons with Jacqueline du Pre. From there she joined the Halle Orchestra in Manchester and for a short while played with the newly-formed Scottish Opera. After freelancing in Manchester she left the profession to bring up her family and became a 
Primary School teacher. She has been living in Devon since 1991 where she plays regularly with professional orchestras and ensembles in the region. She also leads the cello section of the ISCA Ensemble and enjoys teaching at home and in schools.
    Image

    Tina

    Viola

    Tina graduated from the Royal Academy of Music, London and the Hague Conservatory and has made a career both in Holland and England, performing with the Netherlands Ballet orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic and London Mozart Players. Tina is also a passionate folk fiddler, performing in the Southwest with The Copperfield Project
    Image

    Cathryn

    Violin

    Cathryn is a prizewinning graduate of the royal College of Music. Alongside a full time job in the BBC Radio Orchestra she has built a highly successful freelance career in the capital, playing with the Philharmonia, the Coliseum and Royal Opera House. Despite her move to Devon in 2006, Cathryn is a frequent guest in many West End shows including Oliver, Les Miserable and The Phantom of the Opera. Cathryn is a sought after teacher of both violin and viola.
    Image

    Lucy

    'Cello

    Lucy studied with Amaryllis Fleming, Pierre Fournier and Ralph Kirshbaum. Her varied freelance career has included 10 years as principal cello for Northern Ballet and another 10 with Graham Vick's Birmingham Opera. However her main focus has been as a member of the Bridge String Quartet, particularly known for their acclaimed recordings of British music. She recently moved to Devon fulfilling a childhood dream of living by the sea.
    Image

    Jonathan

    Violin

    Jonathan studied in London and Freiburg. He worked as director of the Heidelberg Chamber Orchestra and co-leader of the Augsburg Philharmonic before returning to England as principal 1st violin with the Royal Northern Sinfonia. Jonathan has performed extensive amounts of chamber music during his 5 year posting as assistant professor of violin at the University of Trinidad and Tobago.
Since returning to England, he is a frequent guest with the English Chamber Orchestra and London Concertante.
    Image

    Liz

    Violin

    Liz grew up in the West Country. She was principal 1st violin in Scottish Opera for 7 years. On returning to England, Liz has worked with all the big orchestras, including BBC Symphony and the orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Liz is also in great demand as a teacher, and is on the teaching staff of Wells Cathedral School.
    Image

    Carina

    Violin

    Since graduating from the Royal Academy of Music, London, Carina has performed as an orchestral violinist and chamber musician. She was fortunate to receive coaching from Yehudi Menuhin and also the English String Quartet. Carina's solo and chamber performances have taken her from St. Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, to Bordeaux, France and Auckland, New Zealand. Now settled in the South West of England, Carina is busy teaching and enjoys string quartet playing for many functions.
    Image

    Joanne

    Violin

    Originally from Australia, Joanne arrived in the UK for a year’s postgraduate studies - and stayed! Joanne has played on the front desks of many UK orchestras, including the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Joanne teaches at Wells Cathedral School, Kings school Bruton and is a music tutor for the National Children’s Orchestra.

    Testimonials

    "We loved your strings and what you brought to our wedding. Your arrangements were perfect. We wish we could have you continuously soundtracking our life.
    Thank you for being so clever!"

    -  Adam and Tash

      Ambrosian Strings

      Formed in 2022, AS members have been playing together on professional stages for over 20 years. These are friends and colleagues from the top tiers of the British professional music scene, coming together to bring their love of music to your special occasion.

      0788 6201643
      Email now