Press & Testimonials 2021-05-25T11:48:30+00:00



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Testimonials

Music By Arrangement is dedicated to not only meeting, but exceeding clients’ expectations. When it comes to demonstrating our achievements, we think our clients say it best:

Xtatic Testimonials

I just wanted to write and say how fantastic the band was at Caroline and David’s wedding last Sunday. You were absolutely right when you told me how good they are! They really helped to generate the party atmosphere and we’ve had so many lovely comments from guests on this. I was absolutely thrilled when I discovered that Vanessa Haines was with the band – it was the icing on the cake! The music was loud when it needed to be and there was lovely softer music through dinner as we had requested. They are so talented and skilled.
Philippa Leicester, Mother of the Bride, May 2009
Thank you very much for the excellent job you and all the band members performed for the wedding of Philippa and Michael. The band was superb, they listened to what the couple wanted and created a perfect play list. They managed to keep everyone on the dance floor all evening right up to the end. The musicians were amazing and the singers had incredible voices. Everyone has commented on Xtatic and I know that if we need a band in the future we would definitely choose you again.
Mr and Mrs Sher, August 2009
I would like to send very many thanks to Xtatic. The line-up who played at Abbie and Robert’s wedding last weekend were absolutely wonderful. They really made the evening go with a swing. They were all great musicians and a joy to listen to.
Mrs Lewis, June 2008
The band was absolutely brilliant!!!! All of our friends and family have been commenting on and complementing their performance. Everything they performed was outstanding, including the song for our first dance and there wasn’t a single song/moment that didn’t have the dance floor jam packed. The DJ was excellent too and by far the best DJ I’ve ever seen at a wedding. He read the crowd perfectly and played exactly the type of music that we all enjoyed. Again the dance floor was packed at all times!
Ellen & Chris, September 2011

Venue Testimonials

We have been working with Sarah Balfour, director of Music By Arrangement for over 4 years. We trust her to provide us with top quality musicians for entertainment in The Pearl Restaurant and The Lounge several days a week, as well as music for private functions and events. All the musicians are excellent and are popular with hotel guests and diners. We have come to rely on her judgement and can always count on her to provide quality artists, whether it be resident solo pianists or cabaret acts and party bands. It is always a pleasure to work with Sarah and her team and I have no hesitation in recommending Music By Arrangement.
Director of Food and Beverage, Chancery Court Hotel
Music By Arrangement has provided musicians and entertainment at the Victoria and Albert Museum for the last three years and I would have no hesitation in recommending them. They have the ability to identify and tailor the entertainment to suit each occasion and the quality of the musicians and entertainers they provide is outstanding. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with them over the years.
Pippa da Cunha, Corporate and Private Events Manager, Victoria and Albert Museum
I have had the pleasure of working with Sarah on many occasions in my capacity as Special Events Manager here at The Savoy Hotel . I have always found the service to be of the highest quality and her team of musicians are always presentable, courteous and most of all, extremely talented. I would have no hesitation in either recommending Music By Arrangement to a client or in calling Sarah and Music by Arrangement myself whenever I need a top quality musician for any type of social or business event.
Aaron Schlagman,Special Events Manager,The Savoy London, November 2004

Event Company & Caterer Testimonials

I am so happy to have found you [Sarah] and Music by Arrangement! Over the last seven years, from start to finish, you have gone out of your way to supply and arrange the most fabulous musician, cabaret acts, dancers and entertainers. Nothing is too much trouble for you. Your service is incredible and always 100% reliable. Thank you for everything.
Nikki Levitt, Senior Event Planner, Tony Page Ltd
Having worked with Music by Arrangement over the last 7 years, we have always found the service to be excellent, 100 percent reliable, and the artists to be, quite simply, outstanding. Whether we are looking for an unusual cabaret act, a background jazz ensemble, or anything else, I can always count on Music by Arrangement to deliver exactly what we require. I know that when we book a Music by Arrangement artist we don’t need to worry about the entertainment. I know that it will be excellent every time. I would have no hesitation in recommending Music by Arrangement. They are professional to a T and their musicians never fail to entertain and delight the guests.
Stuart Simble, Director, Dream Events

Corporate Client Testimonials

Congratulations! The party was a HUGE success due entirely to all your hard work and dedication. A massive thanks to you and your team from all of us.
The Pimlico Road Association
Sarah and her team are the only events company that I will work with when I need to organise a musical event. Their portfolio of performers and acts rivals any other music company I have come across in the past and their calm and diligent approach always ensures a flawless event. I am always impressed by the team’s professionalism and dedication. Whether I am booking an act for a small gathering or putting on a series of outdoor concerts for a high profile client, each project is approached with a high level of dedication and attention to detail. Every event organised by Sarah and her team is always guaranteed to be a blast!
Suzy Socker, Associate Director, Halpern PR
Having worked with Sarah and her team on what was often a very demanding and complicated project, I was consistently impressed by her attention to detail and the speed with which she responded to all my queries and requests. She managed to pull together a fantastic party in a very difficult venue and the 50 plus members of the Pimlico Road Association were very impressed with how smoothly the event was run. With so many elements to consider, this in no way detracted from the care and attention that was put into each aspect of the event. I hope to work with Sarah and her team again soon!
Mira Ryness, Account Manager, Pure Public Relations, June 2006
I am writing on behalf of myself and Katie, to thank you for all your help with the arrangement of entertainment for our party on Saturday night. Your recommendation of Mary and the musicians was completely supported by their wonderful performance on the evening. Every guest, whether employee, friend or associate thought that they were fantastic and were very impressed by Mary. I would like to particularly thank you for the excellent and sensitive treatment of Paul in the celebration of his birthday. A memory he is sure to keep for quite some time. This has been our first experience with Music by Arrangement and we greatly look forward to working with you again in the future. We have three Company parties each year- Spring, Summer and Christmas and we would very much like you to be part of them. There may not be a need for music at all three, but they take a lot of organising and the trust you have built from this first event will make you our first port of call for getting them together. My thanks to you and Mary for your contributions to an excellent evening.
Stewart Noakes, Managing Director, Transition Consulting Ltd., March 2006
Having now returned from our fabulous honeymoon in Jamaica, we just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate all your help arranging the music for our wedding. Keziah’s playing was just beautiful and it was fabulous to walk up the aisle to her harp. The Vicar even commented during the service that she had never heard anyone played up the aisle to the harp and how very lovely it was. We didn’t have a chance to speak to Keziah on the day at all but could you please pass on our warmest thanks to her. Lara and her band were just fab! ! ! So many people commented on them. All our guests were right up for a boogie and she sure can work a crowd!! She was the perfect choice and she really made the evening. Please thank her and the band for us again. Finally, thank you very much. You were a pleasure to deal with and we would happily recommend you to anyone.
Lynlea and Gareth West, June 2005

Private Client Testimonials

I would like you to pass on our heartfelt thanks to all three. The number of people who have come back to me and said it was the best party they have ever been to in their lives is amazing. Damien really helped to get everyone talking, mixing up the little groups which was exactly what I needed and he was great. Dean is of course a master, say thanks to him particularly for ‘silence is golden’, which as usual had me grabbing the hanky. (EVERY time – I don’t know why!) and Patrick was absolutely amazing. Even my lovely husband has sore feet and hands from jumping up and down and clapping, not exactly normal now he’s 49!
Deborah Donner, Bat Mitzvah at Madame Tussauds, February 2010
Dear Sarah, thank you so much for your excellent performance and also the organisation of the Jazz trio, we were very privileged to have you there.
Andrew Ciclitira-Demos Ciclitira December 2004
Ilyas and I did not have the opportunity to truly thank you. Your piano playing was pure magic. It filled Cliveden with the most beautiful sound all the guests were commenting on how gorgeous your playing was. Thank you so very much.
Mara and Ilyas, July 2004
Thank you so much for everything you did at the ball. It was a huge success. Everybody I’ve spoken to loved all the music and the big band went down like a storm! You were all absolutely amazing. I’m so grateful for all the organising you did everything ran so smoothly. I really hope you enjoyed yourself too and that you’ll play for a GKT event again soon!
Roshni at St.Guys and St.Thomas, June 2004