Musician Hire in Worcestershire

Robbie Roberts Wedding Pianist provides an experienced and professional pianist based in the West Midlands, available to play at weddings, civil partnerships, and other social and corporate functions.

What do you need to know from an organiser in order to provide a comprehensive quote?

To be able to provide a comprehensive quote, ideally I would need the date, a brief explanation of the type of event it is, and at what points during event they are considering live piano music. It is also useful to know the venue and whether or not there is a piano, or if they would like me to bring my digital piano and amplification system. This will usually provide sufficient information to be able to provide a fairly accurate estimated quote which can then be confirmed in a follow-up conversation.

What advice would you give to a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

My advice is to really find out about the musician they are hiring. All good musicians will have video and audio clips online which should demonstrate their quality, skill, and also their particular style of playing. In addition to the general music they can play, you should feel comfortable in asking for recordings of specific songs that you would like them to play, particularly if they would be played at key moments - such as during a wedding ceremony. I offer sample bespoke as a matter of course, to ensure my customers feel comfortable with my ability and of how the music will sound on the day. Finally, get to know the individual to ensure they are personable, friendly and well-organised so you can be assured all the logistical and technical aspects are planned for well in advance.

Please tell us a little bit about how and why you started the business.

I have been playing the piano for over 30 years and played at weddings and other events on and off during that time. In 2022 however, I decided to follow my passion for playing and performing live piano at events more seriously and set-up as a professional pianist. I am lucky enough to be able to play by ear as well as sheet music so I have vast repertoire at my fingertips. I enjoy performing, interacting with guests on the day, and adapting my repertoire to fit the occasion and the musical tastes of the people who have booked me to play. It is really important to me that my customers feel that I have enhanced their event and created a atmosphere and ambience that befits the occasion. Finally, I always offer customers bespoke recordings of songs I have played as a free musical memory of the day!

Please tell us about a booking you've had through Add to Event, how did it go? Would you recommend us to others?

I have received many bookings via Add To Event and am very grateful to them for helping me find customers who think I am the right fit for them. The booking process is specific to each customer - some people are looking to book a musician quickly, others want to take more time, so it is important to give people the details, then space and time to make a decision. One particular booking was at a wedding just before Christmas. The venue was stunning, the couple were so lovely and I got there early enough not only to set-up in good time but also to chat to the groom beforehand and even lend a final helping hand as his mother decorated the room! The day itself was perfect and a few days afterwards I was delighted to receive a restaurant voucher as a thank you gift, which made my week and reminded me that when you get it right, people really do appreciate it when you go the extra mile for them!