Listen to Ntombi

Ntombi Quartet (oboe and strings) is a Manchester-based quartet, founded by four Royal Northern College of Music graduates. As experienced orchestral and chamber musicians they have performed at weddings and events nationwide, and have played at concerts as far afield as Japan. Venues the quartet have recently played at include Manchester Town Hall, The Midland Hotel, The Hilton Hotel and various locations in Cheshire including Bramhall Hall, Shrigley Hall, Peckforton Castle, Mottram Hall and Arley Hall.

Recent Clients include:
Toyota, Sapporo Restaurant, Fab!, Eventures, Entertainment Today

If you would like something a bit more unusual than the traditional string quartet to enhance your special event, please do get in touch.

The players:
Elizabeth Blanckenberg (oboe)
Noriko Tsuzaki (violin)
Carmen Craven Grew (viola)
Melinda Gourlay (cello)

Elizabeth Blanckenberg was born in South Africa and started studying the oboe at age fourteen. After obtaining the BMus(Hons) degree cum laude from Stellenbosch University in 2003, she continued her postgraduate studies at the RNCM, graduating in 2004. She has played with various orchestras, including the Cape Philharmonic, KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic, Namibian National Orchestra and Kirishima International Music Festival Orchestra in Japan.

Noriko Tsuzaki started playing the violin at the age of three. She attended the Junior Department at the RCM, whilst attending King Edward's School as a music scholar. In 2003, Noriko received her MusB(Hons) from the University of Manchester and continued her studies at the RNCM, on the PGDip and MPhil courses. She completed her studies in 2006, and now works as a freelance orchestral musician as well as running Special Virtuosi, an organisation that teaches music to people with special needs.

Carmen Craven Grew started playing the violin when she was four. She gained a place at the Yehudi Menuhin School of Music when she was eight and studied there for ten years. At 18 she continued her studies at the RNCM on an ABRSM Scholarship, where she gained her BMus and PGdip. Whilst there she played in numerous quartets and ensembles and also won the Cecil Arnovitz viola competition and the Granada Prize.

Melinda Gourlay was born in Perth, Australia and began studying cello at the age of 10. She recently graduated from the RNCM with a BMus(Hons), where she studied with Alice Neary and Karine Georgian. Whilst studying she received coaching from eminent chamber groups such as the Endellion String Quartet, Sorrel Quartet and Gould Piano Trio. In 2006 she was awarded a place on the BBC Philharmonic Professional Access Scheme and performed with the orchestra. Most recently she led the RNCM Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Vassily Sinaisky in Bridgewater Hall.

Your wedding or civil ceremony will be so much more memorable with the perfect music. We can design a package to suit your specific needs, a sample of suggested repertoire can be found below. If you would like to discuss how we can contribute to your ceremony, drinks reception or wedding breakfast do not hesitate to contact us.

Corporate events
The unique timbre of oboe and strings will add that extra touch of class to your event. Whether you prefer classical, pop or jazz, we have a repertoire to suit your reception, promotion or exclusive event. A small selection from our extensive repertoire can be viewed below. We can also accommodate special requests for themed events at a nominal fee.

Listen to music samples

Repertoire:
Weddings and civil ceremonies
Corporate events

Drinks reception/meal
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - Mozart
Humoresque - Dvorak
Flower Duet - Delibes
Four Seasons - Vivaldi
Sleeping Beauty Waltz - Tchaikovsky
Polovotsian Dances - Borodin
Gabriel's Oboe - The Mission
Can You Feel the Love Tonight - Lion King
All You Need Is Love - Love Actually
My Heart Will Go On - Titanic
Love Me Tender - Elvis
Something - Beatles
Dancing In The Moonlight - Toploader
I Don't Wan't to Miss a Thing - Armageddon

Film music
Gabriel's Oboe - The Mission
I Don't Wan't to Miss a Thing - Armageddon
Moon River - Breakfast at Tiffany's
Over the Rainbow - Wizard of Oz

Popular and jazz
Tango - Albeniz
Embraceable You - Gershwin
Norwegian Wood - Beatles
Satin Doll - Duke Ellington
Lemon Tree - Fools Garden
Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis
Yesterday - Beatles
Always a Woman - Billy Joel

Saturday 31 May 2008 - Private Function - Bolton
Saturday 7 June 2008 - Wedding - Manchester
Friday 20 June 2008 - Royal Opening - Macclesfield College
Saturday 28 June 2008 - Private Function - Wigan
Saturday 28 June 2008 - Corporate Function - Manchester Hilton
Saturday 12 July 2008 - Private Function - Mere Golf and Country Club
Friday 18 July 2008 - Private Function - Mere Golf and Country Club
Saturday 26 July 2008 - Wedding - Wirral
Saturday 2 August 2008 - Wedding - Oxfordshire
Friday 8 August 2008 - Wedding - Southport
Saturday 9 August 2008 - Wedding - Mere Golf and Country Club
Saturday 23 August 2008 - Wedding - Staffordshire
Friday 29 August 2008 - Birthday Party - Derbyshire
Thursday 23 October 2008 - Corporate Function - Science and Industry Museum, Manchester
Saturday 1 November 2008 - Wedding - Thornton Manor
Thursday 4 December 2008 - Wedding - Peckforton Castle
Saturday 6 December 2008 - Wedding - Nantwich
Saturday 28 February 2009 - Wedding - Buckinghamshire
Saturday 25 April 2009 - Wedding - Mere Golf and Country Club
Sunday 24 May 2009 - Wedding - Wirral
Friday 14 August 2009 - Wedding - Southport

“I just want to thank the quartet for your excellent performance. You sounded fantastic during the service and drinks reception and the Registrar – who I would imagine has seen quite a few strings commented on your performance and versatility. You were also very professional – turning up early and being well presented.”
Andrea - Fabulous Day Wedding Planning

“Thank you SO much for all of your hard work for the wedding. You were all brilliant and everybody commented on how fantastic you were.”
Sarah - Fab! Event Management

Details about our services can also be found on The People's Business Directory

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I would like a demo CD (please provide address)

Call Noriko on 07752 806 531
Email info@ntombiquartet.com

Book Ntombi
You can now book online using our booking page.

If you have any questions regarding the booking process or have specific requirements that you would like to discuss, do not hesitate to contact us.