Nero with Scott and Shackleton

On the 23rd October last year we were pleased to be invited to play at the annual English Mutual lecture at Worcester Cathedral, at which one of the world’s leading adventure lecturers Rob Caskie spoke. We were also able to gain an insight along with the other attendees into the Antarctic expeditions by Scott and Shackleton.

We provided a musical opening performance for the event and played a mixture of our classical repertoire. This included Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto no. 3 and then progressed into a more contemporary field with our rendition of some Snow Patrol and also something for the Bond fans with Skyfall that seemed to go down well!

Some Recent Testimonials

"Wow-all we can say is THANK YOU for sharing your beautiful talents and music

at our wedding at Ettington Park. You created the perfect atmosphere for our evening and your melodies were gorgeous.  We would be happy to provide a reference for you or anything else

you may need in the future. Thank you for helping to make our day so wonderful! Best Regards"

 

Melissa and Jon Melton - Ettinggton Park - January 2014

I hope you and the rest of the girls had a great Christmas and New Year. We wanted to thank you for the amazing performance at our wedding at Norwood Park. The music added the sense of atmosphere that we wanted to create for the day, and many of our guests commented on how much they loved listening to modern and old songs being played in such an evocative way. I will never forget walking down the aisle to your rendition of 'Heartbeats'! Thanks again and all the best for the future.

Anna & James Russell - Norwood Park - December 2013

Nero providing you "The Inside Track" on ceremony and reception music....

Nero in Your West Midlands Wedding Magazine Aug/Sept 2013 edition

Nero at the reopening of the Alfred East Art Gallery

A few weeks ago we took in a slightly different kind of event in amongst our busy wedding season. We headed down to Kettering to play for the reopening of the Alfred East Art Gallery, also celebrating the gallery's centenary. It's always rewarding to play for events like these, and there was a great community spirit in evidence as the local residents came out in force to appreciate the beautiful surroundings of the gallery. Even a little shower couldn't dampen anyone's spirits! Sensing the buzz as soon as we arrived, we were also happy to give a short interview for BBC Radio Northampton.  Tailoring our repertoire choices to each new audience is a challenge that we relish. Here, we were more than happy to add an air of sophistication with some classical and baroque music to complement the fantastic pieces on show. We added in some Einaudi as a special request from one the gallery staff as it was a personal favourite!

What sort of music works well for a drinks reception?

Most couples pick modern music (The Killers, Take That, Coldplay, Beyoncé) and also a few older songs to cater for everyone, for example Moon River, The Way You Look Tonight and artists such as Frank Sinatra and the Beatles.

It is nice to pick upbeat songs to liven up the celebrations and to see your guests naming the songs and artists. We even get some of the younger guests out dancing.

Top 5 popular artists:                   Top 5 popular songs:

The Killers                                     Halo

Coldplay                                        Empire State of Mind

Take That                                      She

Oasis                                             I don't Want to Miss a Thing

Michael Jackson                          Sweet Child of Mine

Drip, Drip, Drop, Little April Showers...

Wow, what a spring we've had!  Despite it being our busiest yet, we have had the strangest weather!  On one day, glorious sunshine, and the next, pouring rain!  The bad weather didn't stop our brides though and we have played at some truly beautiful venues this spring, some old favourites and some brand new ones including: Wood Hall Hotel and Spa, The Athenaeum (Liverpool), Powis Castle, New House Hotel, Kenilworth Castle, Oak Farm Hotel,  Limpley Stoke Hotel, Catthorpe Manor, Wolverhampton Racecourse,  Royale Banqueting Suite, Notley Abbey, Warwick Arts Centre, Woburn Sculpture Gallery, Iscoyd Park, Moxhull Hall, Hoghton Tower, Windmill Village Hotel, Warwick House, Theobalds Park, Hotel du Vin (Birmingham), Rushton Hall, Hampton Manor, Curradine Barns, Goodwood House, Peckforton Castle, Great Fosters, Hogarths Hotel, Goosedale Banqueting Suite, Ettington Park, Dodmoor House, Royal Horseguards Hotel (London), Packington Moor, Dumbleton Hall and Walton Hall.

As usual, we have also responded to your huge demand for new repertoire!   Our most recent additions include: Adele - Rolling in the Deep, Christina Aguilera - Beautiful, Bruno Mars - Marry You, Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Follow You Into The Dark, Einaudi - Il Giorni, Jose Gonzalez - Heartbeats, Lady Gaga - Edge of Glory, Muse - Starlight, Led Zeppelin - Black Dog and Shakira - Hips Don't Lie!

In May, we also met a pair of great photographers, Barrie and Bev Downie of BD Wedding Photography.  We met them at Goodwood House (such an amazing venue!!) at the wedding of Asma and Steve.  Have a look at some of the beautiful photos taken of their special day here.

"I know this message is almost a month late but I just wanted to say a big thank you to all of you for the wonderful music you played at our wedding.  It was fantastic and all the guests were raving about it (as we knew they would be!) I know that Goodwood were also really impressed and have been recommending you to their clients since then.  All the best of luck for the future!"

Asma and Steve, Goodwood House, May 2012

"I just want to say a huge thank you for playing at my wedding at Stubton Hall.  Sorry I did not get the chance to speak to you but Alex and I loved the music and all of our guests commented on how good you were too.  Thanks again, you really added to our day which went perfectly.  Thanks again."

Katie, Stubton Hall, May 2012

"Just a huge thank you for making our day so perfect you were absolutely fantastic."

Mr & Mrs Mills, Manor Hotel Meriden, May 2012

"First of all a massive thank you to you for playing for us.  We absolutely loved having you there and received many comments from our guests!"

Katie, Burton Court, May 2012

"I am emailing you to thank you for the lovely music you provided at my daughters wedding at Moxhull Hall.  You created a fantastic atmosphere before, during and after the ceremony and I'm sorry I didn't see you before I left.  The rest of the day went according to plan and everyone enjoyed the whole day, helped, no doubt by the beautiful weather.  We were so lucky!  Thanks again."

Julia, Moxhull Hall, May 2012

"On behalf of the Intelligence Corps Central Mess, would you be so kind as to pass on our gratitude to the Nero String Quartet.  They really made the evening quite special and I know it will be remembered for a long time.  We, as a collective body of men and women, were saying farewell to our very last Director of the Intelligence Corps and therefore it was a hugely important evening for those of us gathered.  The ladies simply made it that bit more extra special.  Once again, many thanks."

                                                                                                                                         Chris, May 2012

"I just wanted to email you to thank you for playing on our wedding day at Warwick House.  You really made the atmosphere and ambience of the day something special and we have received some really lovely comments from our guests complimenting the music.  Thank you so much for helping to make our wedding day so perfect."

                                                                                               Tracy and Neil, Warwick House, April 2012


"I would just like to give a big thank you for playing at our wedding at Theobold's Park.  So many people have commented on how amazing you all were.  I was looking around the room during our wedding breakfast and all I could see were peoples heads bobbing in time to the songs and really enjoying the music.  So many people said they were playing 'Name That Tune' during the meal, and even the children were singing along to the songs which was lovely to see.  You really set the perfect mood throughout the day, and will always be one of our favourite memories from the day."

Emma and Graham, Theobold's Park, April 2012

"Just to say a huge thank you to you all for the music on Sunday.  Our guests thought it was fantastic (and you even put a baby to sleep!)  I was disappointed I didn't get to hear much of it but I am so happy you were there."

Pam and Jason, Madeley Court Hotel, April 2012

"A huge 'Thank You' for Tuesday to all the ladies, you wowed our family and friends.  John and I were thrilled that you played for us and we can't thank you enough for making the day so special.  Thank you."

K, Peckforton Castle, April 2012

"Just wanted to drop you a a quick note to say a massive thank you to the string trio.  They were brilliant!  Our guests really enjoyed their music and I was so pleased to have opted for live music.  The venue has already asked me for your details because another bride was looking for a string quartet, so I have passed your contact details to them.  Thanks once again."

Oni, Iscoyd Park, April 2012

"We just wanted to email to say thank you very very much for playing at our wedding at the Wild Boar Hotel, Beeston.  You played beautifully and your music really made our day and all our guests commented on how amazing you were.  Once again thank you so much."

Rachel and John, Wild Boar Hotel, March 2012

It's nearly Spring!

So, spring is in the air and we are gearing up for yet another busy wedding season.  Lucky for you we have just had yet another delivery of exciting new repertoire, which we cannot wait to perform!  Just a few of the new tunes we have up our musical sleeves:  Always - Bon Jovi, Back in Black - ACDC, Crazy In Love - Beyonce, There Goes The Fear - Doves, Mr Blue Sky - ELO, Sigh No More - Mumford and Sons, plus many, many more.  Don't forget to check out our repertoire page for the complete list of our music.

In January, we found a little spare time to record some brand new videos.  These are all available to watch on our youtube channel but here's a couple of our favourites:

Whilst we are on our travels, we often meet other suppliers and we would like to give special mention to the lovely Ian Bursill who we met recently at Hampton Manor.  Ian is a wedding photographer based in Loughborough, check out this beautiful image below:

Here are just a few of the places we visited this January and February:  Warwick House, Birmingham Cathedral, Walton Hall, Macdonald Randolph Oxford, Ettington Park, Nottingham Trent University, Mayfair Hotel, Rowton Castle, Nailcote Hall, Manor House Hotel, New Hall Hotel, The Moat House Hotel, Moor Park, Dodmoor House, Packington Moor, Dunchurch Park, Liverpool Cathedral, Lamport Hall, Ruthin Castle, Aston Villa Football Club, Lords of the Manor, Moxhull Hall, Stubton Hall,  Stapleford Park, The Inn at Woburn, The Wild Boar Hotel, Mallory Court, Shottle Hall, Defence Academy - Kitchener Hall, Fennes Estate, Stonehouse Court, Landmark London Hotel, and Hazlewood Castle.

"I just wanted to say on behalf of myself and my new husband thank you soo much, sorry I didn't get chance to talk to you much but there are certain moments in the day when I can remember hearing you play and knowing what a good choice it was to have you there.  One of my memories is of signing the register and listening to "All I Ask of You".  Once again, thank you so much for helping to create some wonderful memories."

Danielle, Hazlewood Castle, February 2012

"I just wanted to drop you and your colleagues a quick email to say thank you so much for playing at our recent wedding at Rowton Castle.  You were amazing and I nearly cried when you played "One Day Like This"!!  It was so beautiful and so moving.  So many of our guests said how amazing you were and it's a shame I was outside in the freezing cold whilst the guests were having such a lovely time listening to you inside.  Thank you so much again, I think I might go to the next wedding fayre just to come along and listen to you and relive my lovely day!"

Janine, Rowton Castle, February 2012

"Once again, thank you so much for the beautiful music on Saturday - it was a pleasure to hear you play.  Heather was very surprised and loved the music.  So many of our guests made a point of commenting on how fantastic you sounded to us.  Ellie - our two year old daughter - loved the music and that's why she was asking for 'more, more' after you played Elbow for Heather's walk down the aisle!  The four of you played a big part in making our day so special.  I hope you enjoy the Indian sweets, just a small token of our gratitude.  Please pass on our regards and wishes to your fellow musicians."

Heather and Jaswinder, Wroxeter Hotel, February 2012