More written thanks to the Cotswold Ensemble  - we don't quote verbal thanks.          


Dear Fiona, I wanted to send a big THANK YOU to you and the quartet for making our wedding day truly magical.  
Every one loved the music you played and were happy listening to you without me there! So thank you again.
(Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet, B&R, Kidlington Church, Oxon, September 2024)

Hi Fiona, Sorry we didn’t get to speak to you both yesterday...But, we just wanted to say a HUGE thank you. 
It was perfect and the music was just beautiful. So thank you for playing a big part of our day and making it so wonderful. 
(Cotswold Ensemble String Duo: J&J's wedding, The Swan at Bibury, March 2024) 

 Fiona,  Thank you so much for your efforts. It really was a great night for all. 
(Cotswold Ensemble Duo concert, Fiona & Jo at Sevenhampton church, Glocs, Winter 2023)

Hi Fiona, Just wanted to say a massive thank you for you and the quartet on Saturday. 
You really added to our day and I am sorry I never got to say hello in person, your playing was beautiful. Thank you. Kind Regards,
(Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet: F&B's wedding, Blockley church, nr. Chipping Campden, Winter 2023)

Dear Fiona, Wow, what can we say… thank you so much for making our ceremony extra special. ... It was truly magical!" 
(Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet: A&J's wedding, Dauntsey church, nr. Swindon, Autumn 2023)

...Just a quick note to say thank you for your wonderful performance at our wedding...A number of our guests have commented on 
how much they enjoyed your music - thank you for being a part of our special day. 
We are looking forward to seeing more from our videographer so we can relive the moments and the music you played. 
(Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet: B&A, Lords of the Manor, Upper Slaughter, Glocs, Summer 2023)

... A huge thank you to yourself and your team for playing at our wedding. 
It was amazing to hear you play and was such a beautiful touch for our wedding. So thank you so much. 
(Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet: E&S, Oxford Belfry Hotel, Milton Common, Thame, Oxon, Summer 2023)

... Thank you so much for the beautiful music you played at our wedding. 
It was exactly what we wanted and it made the time so special! 
We had so many guests express how much they enjoyed your playing...
(Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet: I&C, Isis River Farmhouse, Summer 2022)

...Thank you to the Cotswold Ensemble the music was just perfect… the bride, groom and the guests absolutely loved it 
(Facebook post to Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet: E&O's wedding & reception, Notley Tythe Barn, Spring 2022)

...Sorry I did not manage to say goodbye and Thanks. We have had many cards thanking us for the day and mentioning the lovely 
music.  It was just perfect.” (Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet: SJ, 80th Birthday Lunch, Fairford, Glocs, 2019)

“...Many thanks to your quartet for yesterday's excellent music. It was appreciated by all the guests."  
(Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet: String Quartet: A&R's wedding reception, Oxford Spires Hotel, 2019

...Perfect in every way, Thank you Fiona ...Jackie V 
(Cotswold Ensemble solo cellist, dinner party, Stonesfield, Oxon, 2018: 5-star review on "Encore")

...Just wanted to say a big thank you to you and your ensemble for your lovely performance at before our wedding reception... our guests loved it...Mr & Mrs H  (Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet Heythrop Crowne Plaza, 2018) 

...Thank you Fiona for playing the music, created a great atmosphere to the day... (G&F, 2018, solo cello, Poole)

... Dear Fiona and fellow musicians - Thank you very much for playing at our wedding.  You were well received and we had positive comments.  Our day passed by in a flash and we left with a headful of beautiful memories and music in our hearts. (A&P, Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet, Cotswold House Hotel, Chipping Campden,  Glocs, 2017)

... Dear Fiona ...thank you and your colleague, and to say how much we enjoyed the day. It was really wonderful, everyone thoroughly enjoyed it, not to mention the many neighbours who told us they enjoyed their free outdoor concert!! ... it really was a wonderful occasion and I will remember in particular the rendition of the Swan during the ceremony. (Cotswold Ensemble String Duo, Baby naming ceremony, private garden in North Oxford, 2017)

... Hi Fiona, ... Many thanks for your performance on our day. It was lovely. ...My Musical friends said you were very tight together and had a lovely sound(S&A, Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet, Bay Tree Hotel, Burford, Oxon, Spring 2017)  ["tight together" meaning "well-coordinated"] 

...  Hi Fiona, Wanted to say a quick thank you for the beautiful music on Friday.  ... you sounded beautiful and I hope you had a lovely day!  (J&J, Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet, Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford & Bay Tree Hotel, Burford, 2016)

... Dear Fiona, Once again I take contact with you to enquire about Cotswold Ensemble performing at family  wedding! You kindly played so beautifully at my son's wedding  in July 2010 at The Perch at Binsey. My son and not least daughter in law, still talk of the beautiful atmosphere you  created at the start of their wedding reception. "Magical"  were her words. Never forgotten on one of their most important days! This I would like to give my daughter as well....(AA, Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet, Cherwell Boathouse, Oxford, 2016)

...To Fiona, Just a note to say thank you for the beautiful music at our wedding in Farnborough. Also a huge thank you for all your work whilst waiting for Z. to arrive (not her fault!) We have wonderful memories of our day and the music is certainly part of that. With love (Z&B, Cotswold Ensemble String Duo, Farnborough Church, Banbury, Oxon, 2016)

.... I wanted to say thank you so very much for playing at Alice and Charlie's wedding....Thank you for fitting us into your busy schedule. With best wishes..... (MM, Cotswold Ensemble String Duo, near Banbury, 2016)    

...... Thank you so much for all that you did for our wedding, it was absolutely beautiful! Everyone LOVED the music at the church...Thank you so much again! (G & D: Cotswold Ensemble String Duo, Gt Tew church, Oxfordshire, 2016)

...Thank you so much from us all at St Frideswide. You are wonderful! (St Frideswide's Church, Oxford, 2016)

... many thanks for performing so beautifully under such difficult circumstances...(RA, Cotswold Ensemble  String Duo, Abingdon Abbey, Oxon, 2016)

... Dear Fiona, I am writing to thank you and your colleagues for a marvellous performance at our company Christmas Party on Saturday night. Everyone I spoke to said that they really enjoyed the beautiful music and that it turned a good night  into at truly memorable experience. Your presence at our party certainly raised the bar in terms of style and class!...If we require strings in the future, the Cotswold Ensemble will be first on our list(CH, Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet, Serco, MoD Shrivenham, Oxon)

...Dear Fiona...You all played beautifully. Thank you for being a part of our day, and we will recommend you to our friends! (FS, Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet, Waddesdon Dairy (N.T.), Bucks)

...Just to say a big thank you to you and your co players we had an amazing day it was so special for R. and I  everything went as planned  Thanks and very best wishes VF! X (V&R F, Lower Slaughter Manor, Glocs)

 ....The quartet were amazing. [J&E to agent re Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet, Hidcote Manor (N.T.), Glocs]            

Fiona thank you so much for Saturday you were all amazing and everyone loved the music ! I shall be recommending you to all my currently engaged friends!!! [L&S, Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet, Westonbirt, Glocs]  

...our guests really enjoyed your playing and the atmosphere you created. Once again many thanks to you and your colleagues. [D&J, Bay Tree Hotel, Burford, Oxon]

Thank you for playing on the 15th of March, both Church and Reception were excellent and really enjoyed by all. (Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet, Woodchester Church & Mansion, Stroud, Glocs)         

It added a real beauty to our special day and it just wouldn't have been the same without you. Please be rest assured that I will recommend you to everyone and anyone. I would also like to thank you for playing that little extra after such a messy turn around between venues....Again, thank you so much. You and your fellow fiddlers are amazing :) ... (J&SD Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet, Cowley Church & Hawkwell House Hotel, Iffley, Oxon)      

 Just emailing you to thank you most sincerely for your playing at our wedding. You were fantastic. So many people commented on how beautifully you played. 

 We recently got married at the Bay Tree Hotel, Burford and arranged for the Cotswold Ensemble to play during the service, the drinks reception and wedding breakfast. What a fantastic decision!!! They were brilliant, playing a huge variety of different music. We had a number of special requests, and Fiona was a pleasure to deal with in arranging these. I can highly recommend having the theme from Star Wars at the end of the service - the arrangement was spot-on and got a big cheer from our guests! Fiona & her enthusiasm and The Cotswold Ensemble come highly recommended as a real special wedding day touch - Review posted on "Guides for Brides." 

 ....thank you so much for the music on our wedding day. So many of our guests expressed how much they enjoyed the music and how special it made our day. [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Westbury Hotel, near Oxford] 

Thank you so much for playing at our wedding ….. It all sounded wonderful. The choices were perfect we were really happy with everything. It made our ceremony all the more special and would have no hestitation in recommending you to friends. Thanks again. [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Waddesdon Dairy (N.T.) Bucks]  

Thank you to you and the rest of the Cotswold Ensemble for playing at our wedding.... We had lots of comments from our guests saying how much they enjoyed the music both in the church and afterwards. Thank you for managing all of our requests and playing everything that we wanted you to - it was especially lovely to hear Salut d'Amour whilst we were signing the marriage certificate especially. [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Rendcomb, Cirencester, Glocs]  

Everyone commented on how lovely the music was and how professionally you were all turned out and my mum was overwhelmed at her entrance music! thank you again for helping to make our day so special! [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Eynsham Hall, Oxon]  

Many, many guests commented on what a huge difference it made to the ambiance. This was perhaps best summed up by my daughter who turned to me whispered "Daddy, this is just perfect!" [private venue near Tewkesbury]

The ensemble were absolutely beautiful, and made the atmosphere on the day. Thanks again!! [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Bay Tree Hotel, Burford, Oxon]

Thank you for playing for us on Saturday.  Having the music ‘live’ made a tremendous difference to the occasion and was enjoyed by everybody.  Unfortunately I have only one daughter so another wedding is unlikely. But should we need music on another occasion we shall certainly get in touch with you! 

We had the most fabulous wedding day and the music you played was wonderful. "Bittersweet Symphony" is one of our most memorable parts of the day. [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Barnsley House, Cirencester, Glocs]   

We just wanted to thank you and your fellow quartet members for playing at our wedding ... The music was beautiful and really added to the atmosphere of the day - we've had so many compliments from our guests on your playing. You were so professional from the moment we contacted you, we couldn't have asked for more - thank you again! [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Oxford Town Hall]    

 From the first time we spoke on the telephone, your professionalism and calm approach was excellent…we thank you for all of your help and assistance in making this the perfect day for us…you understood and met our needs on the day brilliantly. Many of our guests complimented you on your wonderful playing and the song together with Albin worked wonderfully. Thank you once again for your excellent service and attention. [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Wroxton Abbey, Banbury, Oxon]  

The music during ceremony was beautiful and ... everyone enjoyed your playing during the drinks reception...and apparently you helped keep the baby peaceful!.Thanks again for all your help in the preparations. [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Eynsham Hall, near Witney, Oxon]

 We wanted to send you a big thank you for playing so beautifully. Many of our guests commented on how lovely the music was and in particular we were thrilled with your arrangement of "The very thought of you" - it worked brilliantly. [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Kirtlington Park, Oxon]

 My husband and i would like to say a very big thank you to your friends for playing at our wedding ...  You were very professional and we couldn't fault any of the music played, it was perfect.  You made our day very magical, and everyone commented on how superb you were. [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Bay Tree Hotel, Burford, Oxon]

Could I thank you for playing so brilliantly at my daughter's wedding on Saturday and for recommending me to such wonderful singers.  I wish that I could have sat longer and listening to your beautiful playing instead of dashing round as a hostess.  Could you please also thank your colleagues and tell them how much I enjoyed your music. We both wanted to send a massive thank you to your and your fellow musicians.  Without a doubt you played a huge part in making the day as special as it was. [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Lords of the Manor, Upper Slaughter, Glocs]

 We thought you and the quartet were just wonderful and it was the PERFECT music for the ceremony and the drinks reception. Everyone commented on how beautifully you played and how perfect it was on the day.  Thank you once again for being a part of our day! [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Bibury Court Hotel, Glocs]    

Thank you ever so much for such a fine performance by your quartet yesterday.... the director of the Jenner Institute, was particularly impressed by your playing. We would be very happy to recommend you to colleagues at the University for any other events. Thank you also for turning up so promptly and finding a last minute stand-in amidst snow chaos!  (Cotswold Ensemble String quartet for University of Oxford)

Thank you so much for playing at the wedding, it all sounded so beautiful, although you think people are not listening several people came up to me later on and remarked on different pieces that you played. I hope you were not too cold having to play outside in the quad but it was such a fantastic setting and an opportunity not to be missed. Hopefully you all enjoyed playing in such a fabulous building. Thank you all once again. [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Bodleian Library, Oxford] 

 .... thank you for playing at our wedding last weekend. We thought your playing was beautiful (especially the Chopin raindrop prelude arrangement!): you really helped to create a lovely atmosphere for us.  I'm only sorry that I didn't get a chance to listen to you more after I got swept up in the flow of events after the ceremony! [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Kings House Hotel, Chipping Campden, Glocs]            

Just a note to thank you and your players for your lovely music on Saturday - we really enjoyed listening to you - although the reception ..... went past for us far too quickly! We've received many compliments about your playing. [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Lincoln College, Oxford]

We would both like to thank you for the lovely music you played at our wedding reception ... It was really beautiful. Thank you for the nice selection. The Irish music was a lovely touch too - our Irish guests really appreciated it! [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Oxford Spires Hotel]  

I just wanted to drop you a final note of thanks for all the time you took with us to make sure everything went perfectly for our wedding .....  Despite being shuffled about a bit with the weather you and your colleagues coped brilliantly and were the perfect classy backdrop to the day we wantedThe pieces you helped us select for the ceremony were perfect, the play list during the reception part caught the mood perfectly and throughout, you and your colleagues were discreet, professional and played to a very high standard. As for the "special arrangements" bit - I am so grateful for your help in making that work - and work so well.  Quite apart from locating Andrew for us and producing the string quartet arrangement (which I thought worked really well - what was Puccini thinking of?) you had clearly taken a lot of time to prepare both with your colleagues and with Andrew. We had a fantastic day and you were a major part of it.  Thank you. [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Lords of the Manor, Upper Slaughter, Glocs] 

We were very pleased with the choice of music, which we think was perfect for the occasion. [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Thornbury Castle, Glocs] 

Just wanted to say thank you so much for playing at our wedding... You were all amazing and made it the most special day of our lives. All of our guests commented on how elegant it made the day and we are just so pleased that we were able to share it with you. [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Stanton Manor Hotel, nr. Chippenham, Wiltshire] 

Thank you again for playing at our wedding back in February at the Town Hall.  We both had a fantastic day and the music really added to the occasion - and everyone has said how much they enjoyed listening to you and the atmosphere the music helped create. [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Oxford Town Hall] 

Thank you very much for your performance on Sunday at Temple Island. Your playing started our celebrations brilliantly and set the mood for what was a memorable day.  

I’d like to thank you and the rest of the quartet for playing ... Everyone commented on how different it was to have “live” music playing and that the selection of pieces was most enjoyable.[Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Great Tythe Barn, Tetbury, Glocs] 

May I just express our many thanks for the lovely performance your quartet gave at Lains Barn... We had a fantastic day and the music helped it all seem perfect.  (Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Lains Barn, Wantage, Oxon)

...just wanted to say a big thank you for the day, everyone said how great you guys were. Really added to the day... [Cotswold Ensemble String quartet, Deer Park Hall, nr. Tewkesbury, Glocs]   

Thank you for the music – so many people commented on how good it was to hear live music – wonderful 

...to thank you very much indeed for organising such exquisite music for our wedding, and at such very short notice.  The music you helped me choose was perfect – thank you again for your help. 

This is to thank you all for your stunning music at Jenny’s wedding.  So many people commented on how much they enjoyed the quartet. 

The music was wonderful!  Lots of people commented on it – and our ceremony was that extra bit special with your playing of the pieces we’d chosen 

Thank you for the lovely music on Sunday.  It made so much difference – a touch of class! 

...Thank you – many people commented on the pleasure they had from the music. 

It was truly marvellous to hear the ensemble perform so brilliantly.  Many thanks again. 

I will always remember the music you played in the church, it really brought tears to my eyes.  Thanks again, we had a fantastic day. 

Just a quick note to saying thank you for your quartet's beautiful playing on Saturday. We had many complimentary comments on the music from our guests...

Thank you so very much for playing at our wedding in July.  We enjoyed the beautiful music immensely and were thrilled to receive compliments

A Review posted on "Encore".

Cotswold Ensemble Solo Cellist, 

Stonesfield, nr. Charlbury, Oxon.

December 2018

               

A Review posted on "Encore".

Cotswold Ensemble String Duo, 

Ewelme Manor, near Dursley, Glocs.

August 2017

               

A Review posted on "Encore".

G&HC, 

Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet,

Melksham Court, near Dursley, Glocs.

December 2016