Rachel Bell Music

I prioritize being exceptionally responsive in a timely manner, making communication as smooth and easy as possible. Decades of experience with events like this have equipped me with effective systems for organizing all the important details. I am flexible and accommodating, I show up on time, and I genuinely enjoy making the best possible contribution that I can to the vibe and success of each event.

I play solo for some events, but my preference is to bring a bandmate or two along. I play with an all-star cast of stellar musicians, and each combo has a particular kind of sound and style. My website has lots of samples.

Family reunions, dinners, or parties:
Background music (either elegant, sweet, understated music or lively, upbeat party music)
A variety of dance music, which can include dance instruction if I am there with one or more of my collaborators. Dances can be simple contra-dance style social dances (almost like square dancing, but New England style), French bal folk dances, or waltzes and other couple dances.
An actual sit-down-and-listen concert as part of the event with tunes that fit whatever mood you request.
For an extra fee, I can compose a special piece of music just for your event, your loved one, or theme of the occasion.

Weddings:
Elegant, romantic, joyful, sweet, and triumphant music for the ceremony tailored to your needs and requests. (I like to think of it like chamber-music-meets-folk-music)
Sweet and gentle music or fun party music as background music during cocktail hour.
Sweet and gentle music or fun party music as background music for the reception.
A variety of dance music for the reception, which can include dance instruction if I am there with one or more of my collaborators. Dances can be simple contra-dance style social dances (almost like square dancing, but New England style), French bal folk dances, or waltzes and other couple dances.
Any other special requests you might have! I can compose something specifically for your event! If there's a specific piece you would like to include that could fall within my style range, I can transcribe it and create an arrangement for my instrument and my bandmates' instruments. If you want to include a hymn or other song, just ask! There are some things that admittedly don't quite fit into the genre that I play, but I'm always happy to explore your ideas and do my best to accommodate. For example, I just created a beautiful arrangement of a Mendelssohn piece for accordion, clarinet, and guitar at the request of the bride for a wedding I'm playing. Extra requests like this do incur an extra fee, but I will do my best to fit my music to your event like a glove and to contribute as much magic and ambiance as possible!

Birthday parties:
Whatever kind of entertainment that fits! A sit-down concert, background music, participatory dancing, and more! Activities can be multi-generational.

Entertainment for retirement communities/nursing homes:
A concert that includes some familiar songs for residents to sing along
Participatory dancing with adaptations for all physical ability levels

Curious about other events? Just ask!
Curious about other events? Just ask! Additional examples: I can provide music for art openings, food truck gatherings, community festivals, grand openings of new businesses, funerals, corporate parties, brunches, engagement parties, etc.

A note from Rachel Bell:
I am enthusiastic about making your event extra-special! I play accordion, but not the stereotypical oompah accordion you might think of. I perform energetic Celtic music to get your toes tapping, or elegant, beautiful melodies that occupy a lovely space somewhere between chamber music and folk music, or Americana roots groove music, or the evocative sounds of a Parisian or Italian cafe. I can play solo, but I prefer bringing a bandmate or two (fiddle, piano, or guitar, for example), and my videos can give you an idea of the variety of sounds offered by my various ensembles. My bandmates and I love teaching people how to dance, so if you want to include participatory dancing in your party, we are happy to invite people into the fun with simple New England-style contra dances, community dances, waltzes, couple dances, or French bal folk dances. I can bring my own sound system if needed. I am a composer, and I released a book of tunes in 2021 that has sold over 600 copies already. Some of the tunes have become known world-wide! Sometimes folks commission a brand new piece of music just for their special occasion or to honor a loved one. I am committed to enhancing your wedding, dinner, party, corporate event, engagement party, bridal shower, picnic, community festival, family reunion, funeral, banquet, meeting, or other event with just exactly the right music, the special touch that delivers exactly the vibe you're looking for. I am also committed to be easy to work with, accommodating, kind, prompt with communication, and timely with my arrival. Please read on for my official bio. Thank you for your time!

Rachel Bell is a full-time performer, tunesmith, and music teacher based in Brattleboro, VT. Her primary focus is accordion, but not the stereotypical oom-pah accordion that might first come to mind! She thrives on gritty, groovy French bal folk tunes, achingly beautiful waltzes, driving Celtic reels, and elegant English country dance tunes. Her compositions are becoming known worldwide, praised for merging originality with that memorable quality that causes a melody to get stuck in one’s head for days on end. Rachel seeks to bring beauty into the world with these fresh, new pieces, while continuing to play and hold a deep respect for the centuries-old tunes from which she draws her inspiration. She maintains a busy touring schedule throughout North America and beyond, in demand for concerts, festivals, French bal folk events, contra dances, and English country dances. Listeners describe the way Rachel’s accordion becomes an extension of herself, with a huge emotional range conveying nuance and sensitivity as well as exhilaration and power. Rachel’s greatest love is collaboration with other musicians, evidenced by her vibrant projects including Eloise & Co., Alchemy, Constellation, Peregrine Road, and a duo with Andrew VanNorstrand. She is also a seasoned teacher, with decades of experience ranging from accordion lessons to multi-instrumental workshops to music and movement sessions for toddlers and their caregivers.

In 2021, Rachel published a book of her original compositions, which has sold nearly 500 copies. Rachel works closely with choreographer Susan Kevra, and together they have created over a dozen new English country dance and tune pairings, many of which appear on event programs all over the globe. Rachel has four full-length albums with various bandmates and plays a significant role in numerous other recordings. Recently, her band Eloise & Co. produced two music videos, performing original tunes in unique and spectacular Vermont locations. Another current passion is the local monthly bal folk series that Rachel started with her fiddler bandmate, Becky Tracy. Rachel and Becky organize the series, run the sound, play the music, and teach the dances, welcoming community members of all experience levels. Future plans include imminent release of two more Eloise & Co. videos, an Eloise & Co. bal folk CD, a Kevra/Bell English country dance publication, dreams of a Peregrine Road album, and lots of fun music-making for delighted audiences and dancers.

In some circumstances, I can bring my own sound system.

Here are my stage plots for various bands: (link hidden)
Solo for small gathering:
Can play acoustically
Need firm chair with no arms
Solo for large gathering:
Need 2 XLRs with phantom power
Need firm chair with no arms
If I'm playing with a band, sound and tech needs are listed at the press kit link above.