Metropolitan Ensemble

I absolutely loved the music and you received compliments from all quarters! Please use our name if you ever need to be recommended.
– Philip Scotton

The Metropolitan Ensemble is comprised of Flute, Violin and Cello, which is a highly successful and less common combination. The group can however play as a quartet, with the addition of a violist, as a smaller ensemble, in Duo for a smaller affair or they can also be found to accompany a singer for a brilliant effect.

The Metropolitan Ensemble is based in London and was formed in 2001 by graduates from Britain’s top music conservatoires. They perform regularly in and around Greater London and can often be seen performing live in Covent Garden.

Individually, the members of the group play with many of the country’s leading orchestras including The Philharmonia, Manchester Camerata, English Festival Orchestra, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Southbank Sinfonia, as freelance players. They also provide music for sessions and pop artists such as Cliff Richard and Lisa Stansfield and members of the group have recently been involved with Channel 5’s ‘Back to Reality’ where they performed live.

Eine Kleine Nacht Musik

Canon in D

Flight of the Bumblebee

Tritsch Tratsch Polka

As a group, The Metropolitan Ensemble specialise in providing live background music which creates a fun yet sophisticated ambience. Their youth, experience and vibrancy lends itself to many functions including wedding ceremonies and receptions, corporate and PR events, dinners, Christmas parties, product launches and garden parties.

The group is very adaptable and require no special lighting or power source making them a perfect choice for outdoor events. They are also able and willing to travel.

Members
Dan Watts – Flute
Dan began his music study at the age of seven and won a scholarship to Wells Cathedral School at fourteen. On completing his studies at Wells, Dan took up a choral scholarship with Wells Cathedral Choir before undertaking a music degree at the Royal Northern College of Music. After graduating from the RNCM, Dan accepted a teaching post in Ramallah, Palestine before moving to London where he now enjoys a busy freelance career alongside several teaching posts.

Alys Jackson – Violin
Alys began to study violin at the age of eight. At sixteen, she was awarded a place at Chethams School of Music. During her time at Chethams , Alys performed many recitals and won the Chethams concerto competition. Alys continued to study violin at the Royal Northern College of music where she studied under Lydia Mordkovitch and Richard Ireland. After graduating from music college, Alys spent some time working abroad before she moved to London to pursue a freelance career. Alys is currently co-principal 2nd violin in the London Festival Orchestra and also plays extensively with the Ulster Orchestra.

Verity Harding – Cello
Verity was born in Cornwall in 1980. Between 1993-1996 Verity received bursaries to study ‘cello at Dartington International Summer School, participating in masterclasses with Asja Valcec, Matthew Barley, Lowri Blake and members of the Brodsky quartet. She attended Wells Cathedral School between 1996 and 1998, studying ‘cello with Muriel Daniels. In 2002 Verity graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she studied under Louise Hopkins. She received both the Libotton ‘cello prize and the Deutsche Bank’s Pyramid award for her theatre and music company, Fervour. In 2004, Verity was a member of the Southbank Sinfonia, for which she regularly played as principle ‘cello. She performed Saint Saens ‘cello concerto with the Sinfonia in St James’ Piccadilly.

The Ensemble play a wide range of repertoire from Baroque and Classical favourites such as Pachelbel’s Canon in D, The Blue Danube and all of the standard classics to Light Jazz such as Makin’ Whoopee. They can also arrange most music on request.

Repertoire List
Wedding March – Mendelssohn
Bridal March – Wagner
Trumpet Voluntary – Clarke
Two Rondeaux – Purcell
Slavonic Dance – Dvorak
Farandole – Bizet
Barcarolle – Offenbach
Prelude to Carmen – Bizet
Minuet – Boccherini
Jesu’ Joy – Bach
Sheep May Safely Graze – Bach
Brandenburg Concerto no.3 – Bach
Nutcracker Suite – Tchaikovsky
Intermezzo – Mascagni
Mazurka from Coppelia – Delibes
Chaconne – Purcell
Water Music Suite – Handel
Panis Angelicus – Frank
Jeruselem – Parry
Habanera – Bizet
Salut d’Amour – Elgar
Chanson de Matin – Elgar
Romance from the Gadfly – Shostakovitch
Adagio from The Planets – Holst
Beethoven
Polovstian Dance – Borodin
Air on a G String – Bach
The Swan – Saint-Saens
Humoreske – Dvorak
Force of Destiny – Verdi
Waltz from Symphony no.5 – Tchaikovsky
Crisantemi – Puccini
Cock Linnet – Collins & Leigh
Let’s Do It – Cole Porter
O Sole Mio – di Capua
Pizzicato Polka – Strauss
Funiculi Funicula – Denza
Moonlight in Vermont – Suessdorf
The Man I Love – Gershwin
Irish Sherry Suite – O’Carolan
Penny Lane – The Beatles
and many more…