The Vuillaume String Quartet has been established for many years. It was founded by Ivor Crocker in 1984. The line up has varied over time, but it has always comprised the finest London-based instrumentalists.
The quartet, being East Kent based, has played in most of the major venues such as Leeds Castle, Chilston Park, Eastwell Manor, Hythe Imperial Hotel, Howfield Manor and Quex House. We played at the opening ceremony of the Tour de France race when a special stage was run starting at Dover Castle, and have played for Kent County Council and Dover Council for many corporate events.
The majority of the bookings are for weddings, but we perform for any occasion, be it a birthday party, anniversary, celebration or corporate booking.
There is a pool of musicians from which we make up the quartet. Here are some of the more regular members:
| Ivor Crocker - Violin | Isobel McCall - Cello |
| Susan Early - Violin | Gina Harris - Cello |
| Adrian Smith - Viola |
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Ivor Crocker - Violin top of page Studied privately under distinguished teachers May Peat and soloist Jean Pougnet. Ivor entered the music profession at the age of 18 years, playing with the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and later the Northern Sinfonia. On moving south he held a post in the BBC Symphony Orchestra, also freelancing with the Philharmonia and London Philharmonic Orchestras. He then took up the position of Professor of Violin and Viola at the Royal Marines School of Music, Deal, a post he held for 17 years. Ivor now concentrates on his freelance playing, arranging and, of course, the Vuillaume String Quartet. |
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Susan Early - Violin top of page Trained at Trinity College, London, under Vera Kantrovitch, winning the Gladys Puttick Prize for best student. Susan has performed solo recitals at Wigmore Hall and in various venues around the country as well as leading several chamber ensembles. She is an experienced freelance musician and soloist, currently leading the Rossini Chamber Orchestra. |
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Adrian Smith - Viola top of page Studied at Holloway College, London, under Roger Best. Adrian combines teaching with freelance playing. He works regularly with the Royal Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, BBC Concert and London Symphony Orchestras. For some variety Adrian plays for the occasional West End show, most recently Phantom of the Opera, and is in constant demand for recording sessions. |
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Isobel McCall - Cello top of page Studied at the Scottish Academy of Music under Raphael Wallfisch and Douglas Cummings. Isobel has played in several orchestras under such eminent conductors as Charles Grove, Alexander Gibson and Norman Delmar, and worked in Finland as co-principal cellist with a top chamber orchestra. She is now a freelance cellist, and has recently spent time in Oman teaching. |
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Gina Harris - Cello top of page Gina
enjoys playing for the West End shows, and can include Les Miserables,
Kiss Me Kate and My Fair Lady in her credits. She plays regularly for
the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Ulster Orchestra and is a long-standing
member of the Belmont Ensemble. |
