Dragon Strings - Electric String Ensemble based in South Wales, UK

DRAGON STRINGS
Electric String Ensemble

www.dragonstrings.co.uk

BIOGRAPHY

Dragon Strings are a non-profit making 13 piece electric string ensemble based in Neath/Swansea, consisting of 6 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos, string/electric bass, electronic drum kit and a sound technician.
We are a group of friends many of whom are instrumental teachers in schools throughout West Glamorgan; all classically trained but keen to be involved in something a little different!

The inspiration for the group is to encourage children and the wider community to enjoy our less traditional approach to music either through listening or participation.......and for all of us to have fun!
The music we perform is therefore eclectic to say the least; Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, Barber and Karl Jenkins rub shoulders with Michael Jackson, Austin Powers, Queen, Abba, Mika, James Bond, Gloria Gaynor, The Simpsons, Madness and Tom Jones.......not to mention Smoke on the Water and The Final Countdown with electric guitar FX!.

Since our debut concert at Neath Festival on 6th July 2008 we have performed at Corris Music Festival (North Wales); a Halloween charity event; a joint concert in Tenby (West Wales) with the Pembrokeshire Youth Choir, inTune; at children’s events in Borders and Swansea Central Library and at a number of local Christmas concerts. We also released an original Christmas song (Dragon Sleigh) which was featured on several local radio stations.

Ventures in 2009 included a number of charity events and also involved playing at Swansea Museum, returning to play at Neath Festival, opening the main stage of Swansea Live! in Castle Square, playing at Swansea City manager Roberto Martinez’s wedding celebrations and performing with West End singer Josefine Isaksson at Margam Festival. In August we completed a highly successful tour to the Scottish Highlands where among other events we played at the top of the UK’s 5th highest mountain and were the first ever act to perform at the UK's highest beach situated at Loch Morlich! Later in the summer we made our first appearance at Pontardawe Festival; in September we returned to play at Corris Festival and were also invited to play as guest artists by male voice choir Cor y Gyrlais. Autumn engagements have included performing at "Tunes @ Noon" at The National Waterfront Museum, Swansea and with Westend singers Josefine Isaksson and Gemma O'Duffy at the Marriott Hotel, Cardiff for NewlinkWales, a Welsh Assembly funded initiative. At the end of the year we played at the 10th anniversary concert for our nominated charity Neath Port Talbot Cancer Challenge and performed a Christmas programme at The National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

It has been a steep learning curve from the initial concept of Dragon Strings in March 2008 until the present day! After suffering initial frustrations trying to make do with cheap electric instruments we quickly realised that we could make no compromise and now all play on our “dream” instruments from Bridge Violins.
The whole group have the stunning Aquila blue marble models which are a pure delight to play for their reliability, tonal and aesthetic qualities. Our set-up also includes a Yamaha digital mixing desk, electronic drum kit and multi-FX pedals for all!

In addition to performing in a variety of concerts, festivals and at more unusual events Dragon Strings have aspirations for the future to involve children in workshop style events when the practicalities can be resolved.

Please see www.dragonstrings.co.uk for news, reviews, events, photos, audio tracks, video or to contact.

“To coin a popular phrase at the moment, Neath’s Got Talent."(Neath Guardian)

“The sound was unbelievable...(Dragon Strings) gave a performance that will go down in Corris history." (Corris Festival website)

"Undoubtedly the discovery of the festival were Dragon Strings..." (BBC Wales)

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