Laurel Thomsen - Solo Violin, Duos, Trios, Ensembles

"Laurel Thomsen was an essential part of our wedding celebration. She was a pleasure to work with from beginning to end and really went out of her way to make sure that her music fit with our overall vision, including arranging an accompanying musician. She is so talented and all of our guests were amazed that we had someone of her caliber providing music for our wedding. We were truly lucky to have her and would recommend her for any wedding, or party for that matter - from a small garden get-together to a formal gala!" -Lauren and Eli, Bride and Groom

Whether designing an intimate, haute-couture solo violin performance for a surprise proposal, or conducting a rich, multi-layered live ensemble for a grand reception, I marry decades of concert-level mastery with a sophisticated booking experience. Trusted by discerning couples, luxury wedding planners, and elite global organizations - including Apple, Citi Bank, and the APEC Conference - my event music services elevate your milestone moments into treasured memories.

I take pride in "finding the voice of the violin" across a range of styles, including Classical, Pop, Rock, Jazz, and diverse global roots. My expansive repertoire allows me to intuitively shape the atmosphere of your celebration, effortlessly pivoting from poised, elegant classics to vibrant, high-energy favorites as your event unfolds.

However, exceptional live music is about much more than just the notes played; it's about the atmosphere created. With over 30 years of professional experience, I combine seasoned artistry with a poised, intuitive presence, ensuring an unforgettable and effortless experience from start to finish.

With exceptional reviews across major industry platforms and a comprehensive $2 million liability insurance policy, I bring complete peace of mind to every event. From our initial consultation to the final note, my curated performance packages ensure a seamless, world-class experience so you can focus entirely on celebrating.

Following a range of childhood music activities and experiences, I asked for violin lessons at age nine and immediately took flight. Since 1996 I have built an independent career as an internationally touring violinist and violist, educator, composer, podcaster, and writer, enjoying performing, teaching, and studio recording across a variety of genres with ensembles ranging from symphony orchestras to bands and singer-songwriters. Classically trained, I enjoy diving into the creative unknown, and from interpreting a Classical masterwork, to arranging a fiddle tune, or composing string parts for a singer-songwriter, figuring out how to make the notes come to life.

With a rich and expressive violin tone and an interpretive style that can both rock a solo or add backup texture and groove, my main project since 2013 has been in partner with prolific Canadian songwriter Dan Frechette, as the original Roots-Folk husband-wife duo Dan Frechette & Laurel Thomsen. The collaboration has enjoyed five album releases, our third making top ten on the Canadian Campus Roots Charts for 2016. We have performed over a thousand concerts throughout North America and Europe, including the definitive Winnipeg Folk Festival, BBC radio in Liverpool, California’s treasured Kate Wolf Folk Festival, and opening up for the likes of the Wailin’ Jennys and Lawrence Juber.

Choosing Solo Violin or an Ensemble Type:
It’s nice to have options! When deciding upon the instrumentation of a new song or piece, songwriters and composers consider the style of the music they’re writing, the inherent sound of each instrument, and the roles each instrument typically plays within an ensemble as well as the playability of the part on a given instrument. Along with considerations like venue and guest list size, budget, length of the event, and whether or not the group will be acoustic or amplified, it’s helpful to think like a composer when booking a musical act. As a violinist, I can perform solo or be accompanied by a range of instruments, however, not all songs will sound as rich or convincing with every type of ensemble.
- Solo Violin: Solo violin is an elegant and intimate choice best suited for small to medium sized venues and events (50 people or less), unless amplified. Solo violin shines with playlists emphasizing Classical, Celtic/Folk, and sometimes Jazz, Latin, and contemporary music as long as the songs contain strong melodies that are memorable even when heard independently of the original lyrics and without any accompaniment. Solo violin creates a dynamic focal point and is poised to gracefully flow with the mood and needs of an event. However, being a solo voice, it’s also usually best suited for shorter events (2 hours or less, such as a wedding ceremony, marriage proposal, memorial, or gallery opening).

- Violin-Guitar Duo or Violin-Guitar-Double Bass Trio: Either of these two options are superb for clients with a slightly higher music budget, a larger venue or guest list size, a longer event, and most importantly, desiring a diverse playlist! These ensembles are truly the best of both worlds and perform convincingly, from Classical favorites to contemporary pop and just about everything in between, including Jazz, Rock, Latin, Country and Bluegrass, Celtic and Irish, Folk, Blues, and even Reggae.

With the violin typically taking the lead role, the guitar in duet orchestrates the harmony, rhythm, and even bass lines for the most economical symphony or band available. When adding double bass, we realize a paramount blend of mini orchestra and band, with the violin soaring above the complex chordal structure and rhythm of the guitar, and the double bass conjuring either the arco (played with the bow) counterpoint of a cello in a string quartet or orchestra, or the grooving pizzicato (plucked) bass lines of a band (that sound we love to “feel” the most).

The most frequent comments heard from guests about both the violin-guitar duo or violin-guitar-double bass trio are:
“How do you make it sound like a whole orchestra/band with only two/three people?”

“I heard the music (style) change so I came over to see who’s playing now and I can’t believe it’s still you guys!”

With either of these groups comes the additional perk of being able to add vocals (these musicians sing too!) if desired for a reception or event.

- Violin-Cello Duo, String Trio or Quartet: The sound of violin family instruments played in harmony is a classic choice for weddings and other events. While contemporary music and alternative genres are possible, string ensembles and players excel at the Classical music that was written for them. For clients wanting primarily Classical music, choosing between a duo, trio, or quartet is largely a matter of budget, venue and event size, but as each player’s part fills a specific role within the music, it’s especially important to determine the playlist ahead of time to ensure that suitable arrangements are available for the desired instrumentation.

In a quartet, the first violin is usually responsible for the melody, the cello fills out the bass lines, and the “inner voices” create the chordal structure and rhythm - second violin most often playing harmony and viola acting as go-between with the cello, offering chord voicing but frequently also rhythm. When booking a smaller string ensemble we need to ensure that we choose music that won’t be sparse with only two or three of the roles filled.

Rather than book the ensemble and choose the music later, it’s very helpful to identify at least a few key songs or the genre a client wishes to feature at the start of the booking process. From there we’re able to choose the instrumentation that will be best suited to make your favorite songs come to life.

Event Location Considerations and Acoustic Instruments:
Weather by the coast is always changing. In the Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Francisco areas it could be foggy in the morning, sunny and warm by noon, and windy and cold in the afternoon. For as many beautiful outdoor wedding locations as we have, there are just as many weather patterns.

Please be aware of that there are special considerations when planning outdoor events with stringed instruments.

Stringed instruments are made of fine wood and may be ruined if exposed to extreme weather conditions; this includes precipitation, hot sun, and cold temperatures. High winds also make it hard to keep the bow on the strings and music on the stand! If an alternate location is not available, we reserve the right to cancel services in the event of inclement weather.

For all outdoor events we require shade (canopy, umbrella, tree, etc.) to protect the instruments from sun damage and/or drizzle.

Acoustic or Amplified?:
Depending on the event, music can be performed acoustically or using a small sound system for larger spaces when sound reinforcement is needed. A three pronged outlet or extension cord will be needed in these situations. Please contact me to discuss what would be most appropriate for your situation.