Date Added: November 29, 2010 04:18:51 PM

The Harpist Directory began life in the year2000 as a secondary website for the entertainment agency known as 1^st Choice Entertainment. Initially, they were a standard entertainment agency supplying numerous types of entertainment for all types of event in the UK. In the late 1990’s the owner Mark Grimwade, saw a niche market forming, which was the demand for harpists and in particular the wedding industry. Gradually, with the aid of his trusted colleague Mandy, they began to grow their stable of harpists in all parts of England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland. For the first few years the demand for harpists far out stripped supply and many brides had no choice but to make other arrangements.

Gradually over the years, aided by the increase in use of the internet the harpist directory has grown into the UK’s number one resource for professional concert and Celtic harpists. Harpists all over the United Kingdom now use the directory as a major source of work.

The main demand for harpists is to perform at weddings. Initially, this was at church ceremonies, but with addition of numerous venues across the UK gaining civil wedding licences, they are now in higher demand for civil weddings. The use of a harpist at the drinks reception and wedding breakfast is also very popular.

Professional harpists are also in great demand at corporate events, product launches, fashion shows, shop openings and anywhere that a calm sophisticated atmosphere is required.

In the last few years they have also seen an increase in the use of harpists at funerals. A funeral harpist at the wake, church or crematorium service, can be a very moving experience. Many clients have the harpist play the favourite tunes of the deceased, which can be anything from a famous classical tune to a modern pop song.

The 2000’s also saw the growth in popularity of Bollywood music. This was another area that the Harpist Directory saw as a growing market and urged many harpists to add Bollywood tunes to their repertoires. They now boast the largest selection of Bollywood harpists in the UK. They have proved to be extremely popular for Asian weddings in the UK.