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THE DENNISON STRING QUARTET
Welcome to our webpage! As well as embracing the standard string quartet repertoire of the Great Composers, right from its inception 20 years ago, the Dennison String Quartet started to arrange the popular music that they were brought up with, for string quartet. A bizarre concept? Popular music played by what is essentially a classical music medium? The ‘Beatles’ were one of the first bands to use the string quartet in their music, and it sounded great! We thought “We love playing in string quartets, and we love pop music. If we like it, other people might like it too!” And they did. We started incorporating more pop music into the gigs we played at, and people started to tap their toes. A match made in heaven! The quartet now has a set list of over 3000 pieces! We went one step further and arranged classical pieces of music, like opera, piano pieces and orchestral music for string quartet. Even though we have been playing together for 20 years, we never get bored, and neither do the audience, because they keep coming back for more. We feel privileged in the quartet to be doing what we love for a living, and I think this enthusiasm shows, and people love it. We play Bach, Beethoven and Mozart, and we mix it up with some Oasis, Status Quo, Beeah Boys and Queen. Whatever your event is, we can tailor it to your needs. If you request a piece that we do not have, all is not lost, we can arrange it for you! Your wish is our command!
We have taken this process one step further. We have joined forces with one of Belfast’s finest guitarists, Tommy Locke, otherwise known to his friends as Django. To those of you in the know in the Jazz scene, Tommy’s name will be familiar. He is one of the stars in the Gypsy/Jazz group ‘Blue Jar’, and a member of the ‘Panama Jazz Band’. He has been involved in a wide range of music in his career, such as country, rock and jazz, and has toured extensively throughout Ireland, France, America and Canada with Roly Daniels. Tommy has made many recordings for tv and radio, not to mention 8 albums! Tommy adds a new and exciting element to the quartet, which really gives kick to the pop numbers, and real beauty and tranquillity in the quieter numbers with the acoustic guitar. As far as we are aware this is a unique instrumental combination. Why don’t you see for yourself, and watch some of our videos with Tommy. There is no going back to a regular quartet, once you catch the bug.
There are 4 main aspects of our work in the Dennison String Quartet:
1) Weddings/Civil weddings
2) Corporate Events/Private parties/Charity Events
3) Public Performances
4) Session Recording/TV/Radio
1) WEDDINGS/CIVIL WEDDINGS
Since the quartet was founded in 1987, we have specialised in providing music for weddings. We can play at the ceremony, the reception, or frequently play at both. Because of the huge repertoire that we have built up in our 20 years of playing together, we can suit any musical requirement, and are happy to offer advice when requested. As well as offering beautiful music played to a high standard, we pride ourselves on offering a complete professional service. We appreciate that weddings can be very stressful, and we endeavour to make your day as streamlined as possible in regard to our appearance, our punctuality, and being courteous and accommodating. Last, but not least, we have learnt through years of experience how to negotiate our way in a streamlined way through the different junctures of the ceremony, which should not be taken for granted. Hundreds of couples over the years have chosen the services of the Dennison String Quartet, and often take the time to tell us afterwards that they are glad that they did.
“Lesley I just thought I would let you know how pleased we were with the Dennison String Quartet at our daughter's wedding on 29th June.
The music made the church service a truly beautiful experience, and
afterwards at the hotel there were a multitude of favourable comments on the music played prior to the meal. I know our daughter's wedding was a special day for us, but the contribution by the quartet made it even more special. Many thanks
Ken and Jennifer Kissick
Larchwood Events”
“Dear Lesley, We would both like to take this opportunity to thank you and the quartet for the wonderful music you provided during our wedding reception. Everyone really enjoyed it and remarked how different you helped make things. Thank you for all your hard work and professionalism and for helping to make our day very special to us
Many thanks
Sharon and Bill Gault”
“Thanks very much for playing at the Wedding and the Reception – the music was fantastic and was well appreciated by everyone, especially us.
Thanks again from Catherine & John xo
2) CORPORATE EVENTS/PARTIES ETC.
A bit like driving a top of the range Mercedes, a string quartet at your event offers a touch of class, but not at the same price! We suit the music to the tone of your event. At a refined corporate gig, a bit of Mozart compliments the hors d’oeuvres, whereas at a boozy party, a bit of Oasis, Status Quo or Bohemian Rhapsody hits the spot! If left to our own devices we generally start the evening off with some elegant classical music and as more alcohol is consumed, take it up a gear and go to the lighter music. We often provide background music entertainment for product launches (from refrigeration units to aeroplanes). Our clients have included LEDU, ABSA, The University of Ulster, QUB, Cawoods, BMW, Renault, The Ulster Society of Chartered Accountants etc., which has taken us all over Ireland. As a result we have rubbed shoulders with many celebrities. The opening of the BT building in Belfast was attended by Prince Philip, and we made an appearance on BBC’s ‘Food & Drink’ programme with Paul Rankin (with a complimentary meal afterwards). Other household names include David Bellamy, Richard Baker, John Major, President Clinton, Tony Blair, Prince Edward, Prince Philip, and other prominent members of Royalty. A bit of name dropping never does any harm.
3) PUBLIC PERFORMANCES
The quartet has performed in many of the concert venues around Ireland, through the Music Network’s ‘Musicwide’ scheme, and we were invited to undertake 2 UK tours through Yehudi Menuhin’s ‘Live Music Now!’ scheme, to critical acclaim. More recently the quartet has been invited to give concerts in several Music and Arts Festivals around the province, such as the 2007 Cathedral Arts Quarter Festival and at the first Enniskillen Music Festival in October 2006. They recently performed to an audience of thousands at the ‘Night at the Opera’ in Botanic Gardens, Belfast.
Reviews:
“A packed Heritage Centre in Coalisland enjoyed classical music in the top floor of the old Corn Mill on Sunday. Occupying the stage were the North’s outstanding young musicians, the Dennison String Quartet. Organiser, Donal Quinn hopes to bring the young musicians back…..and after the magic moments, a sell-out house is a certainty”. Tyrone Courier
“The Dennison String Quartet began adventurously with a confident rendition of Beethoven’s Second Razumovsky Quartet…the group’s sound was blending well, rhythmic precision and energetic interpretation being particularly obvious qualities” Ian Wilson, Newsletter.
ARTISTRY OF THE HIGHEST ORDER. “The concert of classical music given on Saturday, March 1st, by the Dennison String Quartet was memorable in itself. In terms of artistry, commitment and sheer enjoyment, it was of the highest order. Both Mozart’s Quartet in G, and Schubert’s ‘Death & the Maiden’ were mature works, beautifully played, clearly as a result of careful preparation and complete rapport between these four gifted instrumentalists’ West Somerset Free Press.
“the haunting sound of the Dennison String Quartet” Belfast Telegraph
“A wonderfully eclectic set played with style and panache” Irish News
4) SESSION RECORDING/TV/RADIO
The quartet frequently appear on both radio & television, and have worked with such artists as Peter Corry, Vanessa May, David Essex, Martine McCutcheon, Russell Watson, Dr Ronan Tynan, & Chris de Burgh. They also recorded the music for two award winning films “The Field of Bones” for UTV and “Fatal Extraction” for BBC, which were shown in all the major film festivals. They have also recorded and performed with several local artists including the rock group ‘Leya’, singer/songwriter ‘Steafan Hanvey’, ‘Ken Haddock, & Jules Maxwell and Peter Corry. The quartet is proud to announce they have recorded their first CD, featuring many of their favourite arrangements which you can hear on this site. Other recordings include “The Wildlife Album”, the album “Watch You Don’t Take Off”, and the EP “On All My Sundays” by the rock band “Leya”.
If you have been tempted to book us for your event, or would like further information about the Dennison String Quartet, you can call Lesley Dennison 07730509091, or send an email to ldennison01@qub.ac.uk
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