| Solo
and Ensembles
SOLO
VIOLIN
Kate O'Brien plays solo violin
at weddings, receptions, parties
and other private events. She
can play with your organist
or pianist, or can provide you
with one.
Her performances
as a solo strolling violinist
include many styles and types
of music, depending on requests
and the occasion. She tailors
the music to the audience for
whom she is playing, and there
is no written music except when
asked for strictly classical.
She enjoys
playing:
-
Classical
literature
-
Romantic
and Popular songs from the
1920s to the 21st century
-
Broadway
show tunes
-
Ethnic
music (Italian, Jewish,
Irish, Gypsy,
etc.)
-
Movie
themes
-
Waltzes
-
Opera
favorites
-
Fiddle
and Bluegrass tunes
-
Children's
songs
-
Special
requests
-
Holiday
favorites
OBRIEN
VIOLIN/GUITAR DUO <view
repertoire><hear
music> 
Kate's Violin/Guitar duo has
been together for 20 years,
captivating audiences with their
blend of current and traditional
music, playing extended engagements
at area restaurants and hundreds
of private functions. On every
occasion, people are charmed
by these modern day minstrels.
With their
enormous repertoire and vast
range of styles, they can provide
classical, popular, romantic,
ethnic, jazz, rock, and seasonal
music. They can accompany singers
and take requests. They are
equally at ease performing from
a fixed spot or mingling among
guests, and even get people
singing and dancing! The full,
rich sound of the violin and
guitar is perfect for a small
space or a limited budget. They
enjoy adding bass and performing
as a trio.
The OBrien
Violin/Guitar Duo and Violin/Guitar/Bass
Trio <hear
music> play all types
of wedding ceremonies, receptions,
special events, coffee houses,
concerts and outdoor festivals.
You can request
a full demo CD of the Duo, or
listen to excerpts of their
music on this site.
OBRIEN
STRING DUOS (violin
and viola, or violin and cello)
<view
repertoire>
For smaller events or limited
budgets, these duos provide
the rich blend of string instruments.
By themselves, they can play
the most requested music for
weddings, classical duets, and
arrangements of special requests.
They often play with an organist
or pianist for weddings and
church services.
OBRIEN
STRING TRIO <view
repertoire> <hear
music>
 The
most popular of Kate's string
ensembles is her String Trio
(violin, viola and cello). Please
visit the References
page to read the rave reviews
of the Trio performances. Every
year the Trio plays numerous
weddings (from simple civil
ceremonies to synagogues and
churches of all denominations),
receptions, parties, anniversaries,
community and corporate events,
holiday gatherings, concerts
and school presentations.
The classical
literature available for this
ensemble is limited, and so
Kate has written arrangements
of everything from familiar
classics to current popular
love songs, ragtime, swing,
blues, ethnic, rock, Broadway
tunes, holiday favorites, and
some original compositions.
She prides herself in being
able to honor special requests.
The Trio can
accompany singers, play with
a local organist, and even get
folks dancing. In a large venue,
Kate can provide a PA system
to gently amplify the sound
of the acoustic instruments.
Listen to excerpts of the Trio's
music on this site, or request
a full demo CD.
OBRIEN
STRING QUARTET (two
violins, viola, cello) <view
repertoire>
This most classic of string
ensembles offers the ultimate
in sophisticated entertainment.
The full, four-part sound captures
the orchestral richness of string
music.
OBRIEN
STRINGS plus Trumpet, Flute
or Harp <view
repertoire>
The sound of the strings plus
brass or woodwinds is like having
your own personal chamber orchestra!
Once again, Kate has written
lovely arrangements of standard
material as well as specially-requested
music.
Moxie
< moxiect.com>
<hear
music>
Voices and Swingin’ Rhythm
Great old
swing tunes, newly arranged
for three voices, two hot violins,
and a sweet jazz 1-4 piece rhythm
section. Their music is the
jazzy style of the Andrews and
Boswell sisters, and repertoire
includes songs like Boogie Woogie
Bugle Boy, Chattanooga Choo
Choo, Duke Ellington standards
and much more. Shows have choreography,
costumes from the 1940s, and
are suitable for all ages.
They have
been featured at First Nights
New Haven and Hartford, the
International Festival of Arts
and Ideas in New Haven, and
concerts in many Connecticut
communities. Their long awaited
first CD, "Hit That Jive," was
released in 2004. Partial funding
for all shows may be available
through MOXIE’s membership
in the Connecticut Commission
on Culture and Tourism’s
Performing
Artists Roster. They perform
in schools with their show,
"The Moxie Radio Hour,"
through Young
Audiences of CT.
Themselves
<hear
music>
 Themselves
creates a truly unique and memorable
musical event: a heartfelt ballad
that brings back memories; a
sprightly Irish jig that makes
you
clap along; a humorous story
that has everyone laughing;
a virtuosic solo that wows you.
Themselves' unique sound blends
the appeal of traditional styles
with artistry of the highest
musical level. Their programs
include fascinating Irish history
and the "stories"
behind the music with Voice,
Harp, Fiddle, Guitar plus optional
step dancer(s).
Themselves'
exceptional school performances,
arranged through Young
Audiences of CT, are theatrically
presented with music, costumes
and audience participation.
Their two original shows are
“An Immigrant’s
Story” about an Irish
girl immigrating to New York
to escape the potato famine
in the mid-1800s, and “The
Oregon Trail — A Tale
of Westward Expansion”
about a 13 year-old girl's experiences
traveling by wagon train with
her family from Independence,
Missouri, to the lush farmlands
of Oregon.
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