Violins

For centuries the violin has proved to be one of the most versatile of all instruments, being used in practically everything from classical music, jazz, rock and pop through to bluegrass, country and folk.

With a range of over four octaves starting from the G below middle C it can produce a wide variety of different sounds.

Listen here to a solo violin, and an example of small violin section.

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*Soloist Vaughan Jones

The violin is equally at home as a powerful solo instrument, and in larger numbers as a full section. With the volume of players required to create a big orchestral sound, many producers working within the constraints of a budget often opt for high quality sampled strings. These can be realistic but can't recreate the presence of bow against string or the physical 'up and down bow.'

Samples can never imitate the complexity and subtlety of sound created by a live musician. Sometimes a handful of strong players are used on top of sampled strings, so that in the mix it can sound more convincing. Even so, for music of a more exposed nature where professional players are required, it is worth noting that if musicians are of sufficient quality, a relatively small number can still make an impressively large sound. Electric violins have been a recent innovation, but lack the sonority of the real thing.

All the violinists in Stringsection use real wooden instruments - some several hundred years old - for the huge range of tone and colour they can produce.

Some of the violinists who play regularly in Stringsection include:

Vaughan Jones

Vaughan Jones began learning the violin at the age of 8, later winning a music scholarship to Charterhouse School, then going on to study at Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal College of Music in London. As a freelance player, Vaughan worked with orchestras including the London Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestras. He now arranges for strings, plays chamber music and leads Stringsection in recording sessions. Vaughan is committed to exploring neglected chamber works from the 18th and 19th centuries.

In 2007, Vaughan switched from an 18th century violin to a modern instrument handmade by Martin McClean of Northern Ireland.

In 2008, Vaughan Jones and Reiad Chibah (viola) released a critically acclaimed disc of lesser known chamber works for Violin and Viola duo which has been broadcast on classical radio stations all over the world.

'... seasoned insights and faultless empathy.' - Music and Vision Daily

'...they increase dramatic tension appropriately and effectively with some quicksilver bowing that impresses' - Musicweb International

'Brave and impressive performances... ' - The Gramophone

'... lyrical moments to savour... ' - The Strad

In 2010 Vaughan released a disc with the Manor House String Quartet called 'I Saw Three Ships and other carols' which featured 23 of his original arrangements and became a classical best seller, played extensively on classical radio stations all over the world.

'... It is superbly done... ' - Music Web International

'... the playing and recording are first rate... ' - Classical Source

'... this disc should definitely get it's share of turns in your CD player this holiday season... Vaughan Jones (Violin), Louise Bevan (Violin), Adrian Smith (Viola) and Julia Graham (Cello) are all accomplished musicians and perform these seasonal tunes with the right blend of ensemble discipline and festive flair... ' - Classical Music Sentinel

Louise Bevan

Louise was born in Cheltenham and studied at Trinity College of Music, London, winning many prizes and scholarships. Solo performances include the Beethoven Concerto at Bournemouth Winter Gardens and 'The Lark Ascending' for BBC Radio 3. Louise freelances with a variety of Orchestras throughout the country including Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, CBSO and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. She regularly works with The Royal Shakespeare Company. Louise also composes and arranges music and was invited to perform her 'Five Scandinavian Pieces' at the Dorset Composers' Festival in 2007.

David Beaman

David studied violin, piano and composition at the Purcell School and the Royal College of Music in London. He became a member of the BBC Concert Orchestra at the age of 23 and has also played with the Royal Philharmonic, the orchestra of English National Ballet, the Halle Orchestra and worked extensively in both the UK and Europe.

David has a wealth of experience in music for screen and has appeared on many commercial recordings. As an experienced composer and arranger, he has worked on several TV commercials for companies including St Ivel, Jamesons, Eurostar and Lancia.

Gabrielle Painter

Gabrielle Painter has performed throughout Europe, Canada and the United States as soloist, chamber musician and Orchestral leader.

Recent concerts include solo performances at the Royal Albert Hall, chamber music recitals with the Szabo Trio throughout Europe and broadcasts on Lyric FM.

She has been guest artist at the Banff Centre of the Arts, London Festival of Chamber Music and numerous concert series and festivals.

Gabrielle records regularly with the major symphony orchestras and has played on numerous albums and film soundtracks.

Judith Templeman (Violin)

Judith studied at RNCM (1995-1999) gaining a first class honours degree, later studying at the Juilliard school of music in New York with Dorothy Delay. She has played with the majority of the countries leading orchestras, often leading the orchestra or section. As a soloist, Judith has been involved in many recital series including the Barber Institute, the Walton Centenary, the Southwark Cathedral, Tanglewood Festival and Sunday Morning and Seiji Ozawa Hall with concerto performances around the world in Frankfurt, Japan and New York. In recent years, Judith has co-led the second violins of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and now sits as number five first violin in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.