We Wished You A Merry Christmas!

What a lovely festive December we had indeed!  We have been kept very busy indeed by you festive folk, performing up and down the UK at some fabulous weddings and Christmas parties.  It gave us a chance to air some of our newer Christmas repertoire, including: All I Want For Christmas Is You, Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire, Winter Wonderland and Last Christmas (to name only a few!).  We had an absolute ball playing for all of you, and it certainly got us into the festive spirit!  Here's a list of some of the places we were fortunate enough to perform in this winter:  Dumbleton Hall Hotel, New Hall Hotel, HMS Forward,  Highbury Hall, DISC Chicksands, Tewin Bury Farm, Chirk Castle, Ragley Hall, Copt Heath Golf Club, Hampton Court Palace, Stoke Rochford Hall, Great Fosters, Radisson Blu East Midlands, Chandlers Grande Brasserie, The Carriage Hall, Buckland Hall,  Wroxall Abbey and Barretts Mill.  Thank you all for having us and we hope you had a splendid Christmas and a fabulous New Year!


"They were all absolutely brilliant and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the music.   The music appealed to everyone and we have had so many comments about how good you were.  I did say thank you to them on the day, but please pass on our sincere thanks again.  I will be sure to recommend you!  Thanks so much and happy new year to you all."

Carriage Hall, December 2011

"Just wanted to say a huge thank you for the beautiful music at the wedding at Wroxall!  It was stunning!  Had lots of lovely comments...  Thank you so much again."

Wroxall Abbey, December 2011

"Just wanted to send you a quick email to say a massive thank you for playing at our wedding at Buckland Hall.  I'm so sorry I didn't get to speak to you on the day, but just wanted to say that having you there was fantastic.  All of our guests commented on how great you were.  If I ever get asked for a recommendation of a string quartet I will pass on your details.  Thank you so much."

Buckland Hall, December 2011

"Happy New Year.  Just wanted to say thank you for the lovely music you played at our wedding.  I wanted to come and thank you but I didn't get a chance.  Thanks."

Radisson Blu East Midlands, December 2011

"Dear Nero String Quartet, We just wanted to say a massive thank you to you all for playing so wonderfully at our wedding on Monday.  We had so many positive comments about the music and your playing and how well it suited the venue.  We had a perfect day and thank you for your role in making it so special.   Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and thank you so much again!"

Stoke Rochford Hall, December 2011

"Just a quick email to say that we (and our guests) thought that the quartet were great on Saturday - so many people commented on how good they were.  I think the Neighbours wedding music ("Suddenly") went down particularly well with most of my very merry friends singing along!  Thanks again."

Ragley Hall, December 2011

"Please pass on my thanks to all those who played for us on Friday.  They were excellent and all your hard work is much appreciated."

Birmingham URNU, December 2011

Long time, no blog...

Hello there, and apologies for the silence!  Needless to say, our diary has been fit to burst this autumn as we have been zipping all over the UK performing at all your lovely weddings and parties.  Here are just a few of the beautiful venues we have visited since our last post: The Buckatree Hall Hotel, Norwood Park, Second City Suite, Cathedral Quarter Hotel Derby, Stapleford Park, Fishmore Hall, Notley Abbey, Heythrop Park Resort, Chillington Hall, Packington Moor, Peckforton Castle, Kedleston Hall, National Motorcycle Museum, Curradine Barns, Moor Hall Hotel, Prestwold Hall, Ashton Lodge Country House, Council House - Birmingham, The Belfry, One Moorgate Place, Craxton Wood, Alveston Manor Hotel, Dulwich College, Newton Park Hotel,  Moor Park, Bix Manor, Metro Bar and Grill (Birmingham), Epsom Downs Racecourse, Moxhull Hall, Goosedale Banqueting, Wroxton Abbey, Hogarths Hotel, Bower Hotel, Birdsgrove House, Sweeney Hall, Ludlow Castle, Littlecote House, Slater's Country Inn, Caswell House, Lord Leycester Hospital, Spains Hall, Chatsworth House, New Hall Hotel, and Dumbleton Hall Hotel.

Thanks to this winters particularly chilly breeze, we have been looking back at the busy summer just gone and we found a photograph that sums up a Nero String Quartet summer to perfection.  This beautiful picture of Moxhull Hall was taken by one of our favourite photographers, David J Perkins in July this year.  How we miss those blue skies!

We have just received a lot of new repertoire including: Back In Black (AC/DC), Pride and Prejudice Theme (BBC - Carl Davis), Forget You (Cee-Lo Green), Mr Blue Sky (ELO), Happy Days Theme, Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Israel IZ Kamakawiwo'ole), Everlasting Love (Love Affair), Don't Stop Me Now (Queen), Hips Don't Lie (Shakira), The Flood (Take That), Cantina Bar Music (Star Wars - John Williams), The Blower's Daughter (Damien Rice), and The Kiss (Last of the Mohicans - Jones & Edelman).

We have also added a number of new items to our Jewish repertoire list:  Al Kol Eileh, Dodi Li (Chen), Dodi Li (Menseng), Dodi Li (Sher), Erev Shel Shosanim, Hevenu Shalom Alechem, Kumi Lach, Mi Van Siach, Mizmon l'David, Siman Tov, Song of Hope (Hatikvah), Y'did Nefesh, Music for the High Holy Days (medley including Adonai Mah Adam, Adonoi Roi, Why Art Thou Cast Down, My Soul?) and the Chanukah Medley.  Don't forget, all our repertoire can be found on our Repertoire page.

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"Thank you so much for playing at our wedding.  You were brilliant and I wish that we could have listened to you more rather than be out in the cold having photos taken!  We had so many wonderful comments about you, from my musical/non-musical friends alike!  Sorry for not getting time to say goodbye to you but I hope you had some food and champagne, as we requested, and that you were looked after.  All the best and we'll be sure to recommend you."

Bara and Helen, Norwood Park, November 2011

"Thanks for your performance last night; it was great!  Many thanks and best wishes."

Andrew, Independent Education Awards, 

National Motorcycle Museum, November 2011

"Hi Stella.  Having returned from a terrific honeymoon in Canada, this is the first opportunity I have had to say a huge thank you to the quartet for putting together a delightful programme of music to entertain our guests on our special day.  I had had many messages of appreciation from our guests who obviously enjoyed the restful music.  Please pass on our thanks to them and hope that they enjoyed themselves too."

Derek and Jane, Packington Moor, October 2011

"Many thanks guys for playing at our wedding.  We had an amazing day.  Unfortunately we didn't get to say thank you to yourself, but we appreciated your time.  Our guests loved your music and I can't wait to hear it from the video as everything was such a blur on the day!  Thank you both muchly."

Stacy and Adam, Ashton Lodge, November 2011

 "We had a fantastic day and your playing during the ceremony and during the reception drinks certainly enhanced it!  We had so many comments from guests saying how much they enjoyed the music!   Thanks again."

Sam and Jess, Curradine Barns, October 2011

"We booked the Nero String Quartet to perform at a National Awards Ceremony held at Birmingham Council House Banqueting Suite.  The group played beautiful music which fitted perfectly with both our event and the venue providing a perfect ending to the evening.  We would have no hesitation in either recommending the group or in re-booking them for future occasions."

Julia  Ricks, UHB Trust and  the Civilian and Military Health Partnership Awards, 

Birmingham Council House, November 2011

"It was just to say how brilliant the quartet were yesterday and we had some brilliant feedback and some enquiries today as well.  Nero have been put on our books as nominated music suppliers today so hopefully something will come of it!"

Anna, Blenheim Palace, April 2011

"Just wanted to pass on my thanks to you and your team for yesterday - the performance was perfect and was just what was needed to make the occasion extra special.  Excellent job - many thanks!"

Anita, Altek Europe Limited, November 2011

"Thank you so much for creating such a fantastic atmosphere at our wedding at the Cathedral Quarter Hotel in Derby in September, we could not have asked for better.  Everyone said how great you were and we were so pleased that you could contribute to our "live music only" wedding day - loved every moment.  We would definitely recommend you, very reasonably priced and a great varied selection of music available - both traditional and modern."

Alice and John, Cathedral Quartet Hotel, Derby, September 2011

"I didn't get the chance before you left yesterday to say thank you very much for playing at our event. We had some wonderful compliments from our guests about your playing and I must say that your choice of music suited the event perfectly.  With many thanks for helping to make the event the success it was."

Sally, PGA , The Belfry, October 2011

"Just a quick email to say thank you for your services on Monday.  Many people commented on the string quartet and said what a wonderful atmosphere it gave the evening, so please pass on our thanks to the rest of the quartet.  The night continued on the same footing it started and the CEO was incredibly happy with how it all went."

Wendy (Hermes Medical Solutions), Metro Bar and Grill, October 2011

"Sincere apologies in sending this email but life seems to have been extremely hectic since our wedding in May and getting back into some sort of normality after our honeymoon!  Just wanted to personally thank you on behalf of Chris and I for a truly amazing day, of which, Nero String Quartet played a huge part in!  The music you chose for during the canapes/drinks reception was perfect and the music we wanted during dinner for a fun, happy atmosphere seemed to prove a huge success with so many comments from guests afterwards how they enjoyed singing along during dinner.  If our ceremony for the actual service hadn't been so far away/as early start - my ideal situation would have been to have you play at the Guild Hall too!  Thank you so much."

Ann, Beaumont House, May 2011

Don't Tell the Bride - TONIGHT!

Don't forget to tune in to BBC3 tonight at 9pm for episode 4 of the new series of Don't Tell the Bride!  And watch carefully as you may spot some familiar faces!  Check out the trailer below:

Our Busiest Summer Yet...

Our apologies for being so quiet recently, this truly has been our busiest summer yet.  As always, we've been shooting up and down the country in our Nero-mobile playing for weddings and parties, come rain or shine.  Here is a selection of venues we've visited this summer: Chillington Hall, Sandon Hall, Moxhull Hall, Ardington House, Ye Olde Bell, Dumbleton Hall, Hunton Park, Stapleford Park, Armley Lodge Farm, The Kings Hotel, Wroxall Abbey, Kirtlington Park, Somerford Hall, Menzies Welcombe Hotel, Wethele Manor, Sutton Bonington Hall, Langdon Court Hotel, Manor Hotel Meriden, Lord Leycester Hospital, Southwinds Cryfield, Dunchurch Park, Warwick House, Ardencote Manor, Nuthurst Grange, The Moathouse, Hagley Hall, Hilton Hotel (Milton Keynes), Nailcote Hall, Botleys Mansion, Ansty Hall, Walton Hall, Hampton Manor, Limes Country Lodge, Lake Vyrnwy Hotel, Grafton Manor, Prestwold Hall, and Highbury Hall.  Phew!

Photo taken by Karen Massey Photography at Lord Leycester Hospital

And of course we've had our regular shipment of brand new music, including Beautiful Life (Ace of Base), You're the first, the last, my everything (Barry White), Fix You (Coldplay), Steady As We Go (Dave Matthews Band), Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin), It Must Be Love (Madness), Million Love Songs (Take That), Nothing Compares 2 U (Sinead O'Connor/Prince), When A Man Loves A Woman (Percy Sledge), and Hotel California (The Eagles).

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"Just wanted to say a quick thank-you before we set off on honeymoon tomorrow.  The string duo who played at our wedding at Barcelo Walton Hall were absolutely perfect and really contributed to the ambience of the day.  You received much praise from our guests and helped to make our day so special.  Thanks once again."

Emma and James, Walton Hall

"Can I just give my greatest thanks for playing at our wedding.  The music was beautiful and really made the ceremony and welcome drinks perfect.  Thank you kindly."

Jane and Tim, The Limes Country Lodge

"Lee and I wanted to say a massive thank you for playing at the Wedding.  We thought it sounded amazing and loved your playing.  We will definitely be recommending you.  I wanted to come over and say thank you, but as you can guess it was all pretty hectic.  However, thank you very much."

Cerri and Lee, Lake Vyrnwy Hotel

"Just a quick thank you for the excellent job you did at our wedding at Lilleshall Hotel yesterday.  We thought you sounded amazing.  You all helped towards making it a perfect day for us and for that we thank you muchly.  Keep up the good work."

Stuart, Lilleshall Hall

"We just wanted to extend our thanks to all of you for playing at our wedding at Grafton Manor.  You were brilliant, you looked good and sounded great.  Everybody commented on you.  Especially since there was quite a lot of us that had been to a wedding only four weeks before mine and they had a string trio who sounded amateur compared to you!!  I didn't really get chance to say much on the day but we were really very grateful to you as we had a solo in one room, all of you in the chapel then moved outside so probably wasn't the easiest wedding you've done.  Also, before the day you had 'She's the One' wrote up for us and exchanged a lot of emails and ideas so thank you.  We will recommend you to anybody!  Thank you a thousand times."

Mitzi and Ben, Grafton Manor

"Just wanted to say a huge thank you to the string duo who played at our wedding at Prestwold Hall on Friday.  They were absolutely brilliant, and many of our guests commented on how outstanding the music was.  Thank you especially for playing the songs we requested, it made it very personal."

Becky, Prestwold Hall

"Just a quick email to say thank you for the part you played in my daughter's wedding day, your music was superb and enjoyed by everyone.  Very best wishes to you all and once again, many thanks, we would have no hesitation in recommending you."

Marianne, Plas Hafod Hotel

"I just wanted to say a massive thank you to you and the two ladies who played at our wedding.  They were fantastic and I hope they enjoyed themselves whilst they were there.  I have a few pictures which I will send on to you just for your records.  Many thanks again."

Gemma, The Courtyard

"We just wanted to say a huge thank you for playing at our wedding in August.  You were amazing and so many of our guests commented on how wonderful you sounded.  I loved the variety of music you played, it really was superb!  I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to thank you personally but we really did appreciate it!"

Claire, Bedfordshire

"Everyone thought you guys were fantastic, sorry I didn't manage to come over and speak to you much, as you can imagine my day was pretty hectic!  Thank you very much, everyone really enjoyed listening to you."

Sarah, Ansty Hall

"We just wanted to say a huge thank you to you all for the wonderful music you provided at our wedding.  It was absolutely perfect.  I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to thank you in person at the end of your performance."

Steph and Dan, Highbury Hall

"Margaret and I just wanted to thank you for helping to make our party a great success.   We really enjoyed your concert as did our guests."

Katherine, Coleshill Hotel

"Thank you so much for your excellent participation in Helen and Andrew's wedding day.  Please thank all members of the quartet - we received nothing but total admiration for the breadth of your repertoire and the skill with which it was performed from all the guests present.  We were blessed with a wonderful day and I thank you for playing outside on the terrace and even more so for playing so beautifully in cramped conditions during the wedding breakfast."

Ron, Somerford Hall

"Thank you so much, you were absolutely BRILLIANT!! Sorry I didn't get to say hello but as you can imagine I was wanted by a lot of people!!  Thank you once again!"

Aimee, St Mary's Guildhall, Coventry

"Just wanted to message you to say thank you.  It was perfect, everyone commented on how fantastic you were.  Sorry we didn't get the chance to thank you before you left.  A few of my friends who are getting married next year asked for your details."

Heidi and Matt, Menzies Welcombe Hotel

"The quartet were amazing.  They sounded fantastic.  Just wanted to say a massive thanks.  Apologies to the girls that I did not get to speak more to them on the day and express our gratitude."

Dan, Cotford Hotel, Malvern

"We wanted to say thank you for such fabulous music at our wedding.  We are sorry we did not get to speak to you on the day but it was the perfect background music and created a lovely atmosphere, particularly during the meal.  Thank you so much."

James and Rhian, Botleys Mansion

"I just wanted to drop you a note to say thank you so much for yesterday.  You were all fantastic!"

Jo, Hampton Manor

"Sorry this is so late but thank you so much for performing at our wedding in August at Wethele Manor.  We had a lovely day and your performance added such a beautiful atmosphere to our wedding.  We have had many compliments regarding how well you played and the selection of songs you had.  I have attached a few photos my guests and my photographer took of you whilst you were there.  Many thanks again."

Debbie and Keith, Wethele Manor

"I just wanted to send you a quick note to say thank you so much for the beautiful music that you and your colleagues played for us on our wedding day.  The music in the church was wonderful - I could hear you playing before I arrived and it was just perfect; exactly as we had imagined.  I know that the rain required some changes to plans after the service but thank you for being flexible and working with the weather!  So many people complimented you on your playing so I shall be recommending you left, right and centre."

Kate, Shropshire

"I wanted to say a huge thank you to you for the string trio that played on our wedding day.  I didn't get chance to speak to them on the day and thank them.  They played perfectly and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it.  Anyway thanks again, Nero really made our day special and I will recommend you for any future events."

Lindsey, Sutton Bonington Hall

"Ladies.  Just wanted to send  a quick note with our sincere thanks for performing at our wedding.  Waiting outside the door of the ceremony and hearing you play was amazing and all our guests thoroughly enjoyed the music during the ceremony and during the canapes.  Thank you so much for making our day so special and apologies that I didn't get to thank you in person on the day.  You are incredibly talented and our thanks to you all."

Amy and Rob, Curradine Barns

"We just wanted to say a huge thank you to the quartet who played at our wedding.  Everyone commented on how professional they were and how great they sounded.  Tom said that the music before the ceremony really calmed him down, so thank you very much!  Thank you so much again."

Claire and Tom, Olton Friary

"This is somewhat overdue but better late than never!  Firstly, I wanted to say a big thank you for performing at our wedding in July.  The music was wonderful and created a fantastic ambiance.  You did an amazing job and we were very pleased, I would be happy to recommend you to friends and family." 

Cornelia and Gero, Theobalds Park

Summer Begins!

Just a quick update before our crazy summer begins!  So far, we have been flying out to: Moxhull Hall, Warwick House, Ettington Park Hotel, Patshull Hall, Fischer's Baslow Hall, Hale Synagogue, Birmingham Council House, Matara Centre, Hogarth's Hotel, Dumbleton Hall, Blenheim Palace, Chillington Hall, Spains Hall, Ludlow Castle, Littlecote House, Curradine Barns, Slater's Country Inn, The City Rooms, Oakham Castle, Brockencote Hall, Chatsworth House, Lord Leycester Hospital, Notley Abbey, Samlesbury Hall, New Hall Hotel, Ston Easton Park, Cripps Barn, Whitley Hall, Crewe Hall, Kelmarsh Hall, Consall Hall Gardens, Mallory Court, National Motorcycle Museum, Second City Suite, Noshahi Civic Centre, Lemore Manor, Eastnor Castle, The Priest House Hotel, Lords of the Manor, Preston Marriott Hotel, Norwood Park, Hilton Manchester Deansgate Hotel, Rowton Castle, Rowton Hall Hotel, and Crockwell Farm.  




"Found you on Twitter!  Thank you for Sunday.  Our guests thought you were brilliant and you helped make our wedding perfect!"

Matt, Moxhull Hall

"Just wanted to say a massive thank you to all of you for such beautiful music.  You made it magical!  Everyone thought you were incredible.  Thanks again."

Jenny and Steve, Hale Synagogue

"Thanks to you all for the beautiful music you provided at Moxhull Hall for Rachel's wedding.  Although the weather was appalling, preventing us from going outside, we all enjoyed the day.  The pieces we asked for were all played beautifully and helped to make it a very memorable day."

David, Moxhull Hall

"Sam and I would like to thank you all for playing at our wedding.  You really were amazing and it was exactly what we wanted for our day.  I will be recommending you to our friends.  Thank you again!"

Olivia, Fischer's Baslow Hall

"Been meaning to email you for a while, to thank you all for playing at our wedding.  We were very impressed with the way you all looked and did notice that you played the music pieces that we asked for.  A lot of the guests did mention you guys to us.  Saying how lovely you looked and the music was great.  Some wanted to give you all a round of applause but did not know if that would put you off so they decided not to!  Sorry we did not get to speak to you personally.  We hoped you enjoyed playing at our wedding and we will and have recommended you to other people."

Adam and Vita

"A big thank you to you all for playing at our wedding.  Everyone commented how brilliant you were and you certainly helped to make our day as special as it was.  We certainly wouldn't hesitate in recommending you to anyone."

Helen , Ingon Manor

"We would like to say a big thank you to you and your team for a fantastic day of classy music.  They played so well and all our guests said how nice it was.  Even Take That loved it!*  You made the ceremony so special and we can't thank you enough."

Nick and Anthony, New Hall Hotel

(*Jason Orange, from Take That, was staying at New Hall Hotel and was later seen picking up a Nero String Quartet business card.  We spoke to him after our performance and he thoroughly enjoyed our music!)

"Thank you and your colleagues for playing such lovely music on Monday evening at the Botanical Gardens; many of the guests commented on it and thought that it made the pre-dinner reception a little bit more special - everyone enjoyed listening to you, so thank you!  I'll keep your details on file for future reference."

Charmaine, Birmingham Botanical Gardens

"Just wanted to say a big thank you for playing for us.  I'm sorry I wasn't able to break away from the proceedings to thank the quartet before they left.  Your music was much enjoyed by our guests and it was lovely for us that you were an important part of our day."

Dennis, Anne and Sinead, Preston Marriott

"Can I just say how wonderful the set was at Ardington House, everyone said how great the quartet was and people liked the contemporary songs being played.  I am confident that the quartet will be as received at Eynsham Hall."

Clare (Oxford Royale Academy), Ardington House

"Just wanted to say thank you for your wonderful performance at Braxted Park!  Everyone really enjoyed the music; you had great comments from all the guests I spoke to.  The music really added to the ambiance of the day!!  Thanks again."

Tanuja and Rohan, Braxted Park

"My wife and I cannot thank you enough for your performance on our wedding day.  Everybody in our party commented on how lovely you lot were and how fantastic the music was.  Please pass on our regards to the rest of the party.  Many thanks once again."

Russell and Nicola, Manor House Hotel

Mukhara - Samar Sidhu (feat. Nero String Quartet)

As promised, here is the Bollywood mix of 'Mukhara', performed by Samar Sidhu.  Watch carefully for some familiar faces!

Don't Tell the Bride!

As you can imagine, we were thrilled to receive a call from one very brave groom who had agreed to organise his entire wedding as part of the BBC series "Don't Tell the Bride".  The wedding was held at the beautiful Sandon Hall (currently standing at number one in our violinist's wedding venue wishlist!), and although the good weather was intermittent, the ceremony was truly beautiful.  The groom chose some great songs for the ceremony itself, including 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' for the signing of the register and 'Viva la Vida' for the happy couple's exit.   We had a great day and wish David and Lucy all the happiness for the future!  The episode is due to be aired in October so keep your eyes peeled!

David and Lucy's wedding will be aired on BBC3 on Tuesday 27th September 2011 at 9pm.