Hire Katherine Farnden | Oboist in London

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From£250

1 hour

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About Katherine

A recent graduate from the Royal College of Music, Katherine is sure to deliver a soulful performance. Guaranteed to wow your guests!

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Oboist

London

Public liability insurance of £10 million

Katherine is an Oboe, Cor Anglais and Tin Whistle player, based in North London. She is an orchestral and chamber musician, who also specialises in personalised events performances, such as weddings and funerals. She works closely with every client to ensure your event is special. Katherine has graduated as a scholar from Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and the Royal College of Music. She has an extensive repertoire but is also experienced taking requests. Aside from performances she is also a session musician, able to learn music by ear and improvise for recordings in most genres. Most recently she featured on a reggae album and a jazz vinyl on Cor Anglais.

Katherine

5 out of 5

8 verified reviews

Katherine's Reviews

5 out of 5

Katherine gave a recital as part of our concert series in Bledlow. The Church was sold-out, and she delivered an exceptional performance with her accompanist Ben. The programme consisted of Telemann, Clara Schumann and Dutilleux. Thank you Katherine and Ben for travelling to us for this performance.

5 out of 5

Katherine gave a wonderful oboe and piano performance at the drinks reception on our wedding day. The performance was elegant and of professional quality. A truly beautiful backdrop to our special day. Thank you for accommodating our song requests!

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Katherine's Song list

My repertoire is extensive, too much to list below! Please do get in touch if you have requests and I will likely be able to accommodate.

*Wedding Music:

Gabriel's Oboe

Amazing Grace

The way you look tonight -Frank Sinatra

Can't help falling in love -Elvis Presley

Songbird -Eva Cassidy

All of me -John Legend

Can't Take my eyes off you -Andy Williams

Make you feel my love -Adele

A Thousand years - Christina Perri

Your Song -Elton John

Somewhere Over the Rainbow -Eva Cassidy

Perfect -Ed Sheeran

Marry You -Bruno Mars

Summertime -George Gershwin

Can't Help Falling in Love -Elvis Presley

Fly Me to the Moon -Howard

Here there and Everywhere -Lennon/McCartney

Imagine -Lennon

Love Me Tender -Presley

Take Five -Desmond

Wonderful World -Armstrong

Canon in D -Pacabel

Wedding March -Mendelssohn

Swan Lake -Tchaikovsky

Can You Feel the Love Tonight -Elton John

Moon River -Mancini

Isn't she lovely -Stevie Wonder

My Heart Will Go On -Horner

All of Me -John Legend

Make You Feel My Love -Adele

Perfect -Ed Sheehan

*Funeral Music:

Gabriel's Oboe -hymn

Amazing Grace -hymn

Abide with me -hymn

Shadow of your smile -

Fields of Gold -Eva Cassidy

Somewhere Over the Rainbow -Eva Cassidy

*Traditional

Star of The County Down

The Water is Wide

Danny Boy

Drowsy Maggie

Dance to Your Daddy

Country Gardens

Auld Lang Syne

Down by the Sally Gardens

The Water is Wide

Scarborough Fair

Musicals:

Close Every Door to Me from Joseph -Lloyd Webber

Memory from Cats -Anderson & Ulvaeus

The Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera -LLoyd Webber

On My Own from Les Miserables -Shoenberg

Summertime -Gershwin

You'll Never Walk Alone -Rodgers

Bring Him Home from Les Miserables -Shoenberg

Castle on a Cloud from Les Miserables -Shoenberg

*Recital Repertoire

Adagio -Albinoni

Dutilleux Sonata

Poulenc Sonata

York Bowen Sonata

Saint-Saens Sonata

Rubbra Sonata

Hindemith Sonata

Mozart Oboe Concerto

Strauss Oboe Concerto

Marcello Oboe Concerto

Martinu Oboe Concerto

Vaughan Williams Oboe Concerto

Madeline Dring Italian Dance

Britten 6 Metamorphoses

Britten Temporal Variations

Robert Schumann Romances

Paval Haas Suite

Barber Canzonetta

Dorati 5 pieces

Telemann Fantasy No.8

Blues for DD

Elliot Carter Inner Song

*Cor Anglais

Messiaen Vocalise

Charlie Parker Arrangment

Katherine's Prices

Last updated: 2025

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Performance duration	Price
Short performance (up to 15 min)	£100
Up to 1 hour	£250
Up to 2 hours	£375
Up to 3 hours	£500

Short performance close to London

1 or 2 pieces for a wedding, wedding proposal or event

£175

Recital

1 hour solo recital on Oboe or Cor Anglais

£250

Wedding ceremony

This includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. A fully personalised set-list.

£325

Drinks reception

Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your drinks reception

£375

Oboe and Guitar

1 hour performance with guitar accompaniment Rates for longer performances can be negotiated.

£500

Oboe and Piano

1 hour performance with piano accompaniment Rates for longer performances can be negotiated.

£500

Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

My musicality and ability to go with the flow,

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Barbican Centre Cadogan Hall Royal Festival Hall Sinfonia Smith Square St Martins In the Fields

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

I listen to Stevie Wonder all day, every day.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

Principal oboe with the Bombay Chamber Orchestra in Mumbai, India. An epic gig!

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

I always try my best to be flexible to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change slightly in the run up to the event just let me know.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

Absolutely. This is a really popular request and I actually offer this service for free.

How much time do you need to set up?

I aim to set up 30 mins before the performance time.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

My set lists are crafted from countless performances and learning what works best to ensure guests dance and have an amazing time. However, I'm definitely happy to chat through and make sure we find what works for your event

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes, absolutely! I bring my own instrument to play acoustically. I can provide a backing track through my PA at request. Accompanying piano player and guitarist available on request, at an additional fee.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

If there is a special song you'd like me to learn I am happy to do this for you, after a quick consultation suitability for the instrument.

Musicianship

Genres:

Classical, Christmas, Traditional church music, Baroque, Classical crossover, Contemporary classical, Early music, Film / TV music, Opera, Folk, Traditional English folk, Traditional Irish folk, Easy listening, Experimental, Pop, Vintage, World music, Bossa nova

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Instruments:

Oboe, Cor anglais, Tin whistle

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Event types:

Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Private event, Corporate event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show

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Other skills:

Fluent sight-reader, Fluent improviser, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching

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