| 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, Folk 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 can gently amplify their instruments
and also enjoy adding bass to perform as a trio.
The OBrien Violin/Guitar Duo and Violin/Guitar/Bass
Trio <hear music> play all types
of wedding ceremonies, receptions, parties, special events, concerts,
restaurants, coffee houses and outdoor festivals.
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, popular songs, 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 music 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 on 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.
VIOLIN
and PIANO/KEYBOARD <hear
music>
The
versatility of the piano is an excellent match with the violin for
all events and special occasions. When an acoustic piano is not
available, an electronic keyboard replicates the familiar sound
of the piano. All we need is a power source and an extension cord
to be able to play anywhere, outside or inside.
The repertoire is endless for this combination. The famous classical
pieces for violin all have accompanying piano parts, and this DUO
can just as easily play romantic ballads, jazz, Broadway, rock,
swing, ethnic, Latin, C&W and special requests.
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
<hear
music>
Voices and Swingin’ Rhythm
Moxie
performs 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. They are on
the Performing Artists Roster
for the Connecticut
Commission on Culture and Tourism
and 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 three original shows are “An
Immigrant’s Story” about an Irish girl immigrating to
New York to escape the potato famine in the mid-1800s, “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,
and “The Road to Revolution: One Family's Struggle in Colonial
Connecticut,” about an 18th century family confronting growing
disagreement over the meaning of Liberty, Loyalty, and Government
before the Revolutionary War.
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