starlight string quartet and trio auckland classical music

Starlight String Quartet
Classical background music
Auckland Region

The Starlight String Quartet
Formerly known as the Jascha String Quartet (formed in 1989) this is one of New Zealand's most popular classical/ easy listening ensembles.
They feature unique arrangements of popular, jazz and Latin melodies in addition to well known classical pieces. Ideal as background or feature at Corporate functions, product releases and weddings.

Starlight strings have a huge repertoire of tunes (about 3000!) including the favourite"Pachelbels Cannon"

Highlights for the group include performing for the Queen and Commonwealth Heads of Government at CHOGM (twice). Support act for Stephane Grappelli and performances for the King of Tonga.
They have produced two CD's.

"Starlight Strings are one of our longest standing and most popular acts. They are always reliable and give a high standard of performance. Their repertoire is huge" Pete McGregor

ALSO AVAILABLE AS A STRING TRIO
This trio was featured in the recent Yellow Pages TV advertisement (Dad soothing baby)

similar act in this region = BMW into blue silverkeys nikau quartet ace brass trio

Customer Comments

x74

Hi, 
Thank you - Starlight Strings played beautifully during our wedding ceremony.  We didn't manage to hear as much of them ourselves as we would have like, but our guests had nothing but praise for them.  A number of our guests commented particularly on a stunning performance of Bolero.
Please pass on our thanks to all the members of the quartet.
Nina Civil & John Smithells  Sept 2011

Hi Pete,
Thanks for your email. 
The day went very well apart from some uncooperative weather. 
We were very happy with the Starlight Strings Quartet, especially as they were able to put together a custom arrangement for a song I provided sheet music for. I'm only sorry we didn't get to hear more from them, as we were away doing wedding photos.
Thanks again and all the best,
Simeon Coope
March 2011

Yes thanks, they were really great and contributed to a very special day for us.  Please pass on our thanks.
Matthew Ockleston
April 2011

Hi
The string quartet was amazing. Thanks so much for providing the entertainment. The guests were truly impressed. Wishing you the best for the new year.
Satyen and Lisa Jesani
Dec 2010

Hi Kellie
Thank you for your email.  
Just to let you know that the Starlight Strings were wonderful, and their performance helped ensure that we had a highly successful event.
Regards
Janice Sanders
Communications Manager
The Selwyn Foundation

Hello Kellie

The group was fantastic and everyone loved them! Thanks so much.

Kind regards

Jacqueline Holmes

Hi Kellie, 
thanks for your email. The group were fantastic and even one of my 'pickier' musical guests was saying how he really enjoyed their music and selection. I'd highly recommend the group and your service to others. 
Thanks for all your help through the process as during a slightly stressful time, it's great that someone else can put your mind at ease. 
Cheers
Carleen  Wright

HI Kellie
They were fantastic and adapted to some very windy conditions and I understand a flying gazebo before my arrival!!!
Many thanks
Raylynne Rai (Jan 2010)

Hi Kelly

Starlight Strings were absolutely amazing!!!  Nick and I couldn’t have wished for better entertainment on our wedding day – the music pieces Starlight Strings played where absolutely spot on.  We had a heap of positive comments from our guests too!

In all, Starlight Strings played beautiful music to accommodate our fairytale wedding. We were more than pleased with John and his team.J

Kind regards

Ame Boutsady

Hi there, thanks for the follow up, our wedding went wonderfully and many guests commented on how lovely the quartet was.  We missed most of it ourselves while at photos but heard it was magical and made the wedding like a fairy tale.
Thanks again
Deanna and Stephen McWilliams

Hi Kellie,
Many than ks for all of your assistance and help in making our VIP Customer evenings a huge sucess.
We will definitely consider using your services agian in the future.
Many Thanks
kind regards
Neil Ritchie | Support Services Manager | Freedom NZ

Hi Kellie,
The Starlight Trio were fantastic!!  We were very happy with everything they did.  Please pass on our thanks.
Cheers,
Alix Cassidy

Thanks Kellie

The Starlight Quartet were fantastic. They made the day perfect and the bride and groom were very happy. I would highly recommend them and will definitely look for opportunities to use them again. Please pass on my appreciation.

Regards

Lissa Birse

Hi Kellie
Trio was perfect, many people commented on how wonderful they were. They added that little bit extra that helped make our day so special.
I would have know hestitation in recommending them.
Thanks for all your help.
Fiona 
May 2008

All went very well. Thank you – quartet did excellent job.
 Ben Crowder  April 2008

HI,
Thanks very much – the Strings were excellent and contributed to a wonderful day!
 Michelle  Lockhart Feb 2008 (Wedding)

Yep – the quartet was excellent – Thank you very much, please pass on our appreciation.
 John was very accommodating under changing circumstances with the music requirements, and the horrid weather on the day.
Cheers
Sue and Joe  (Feb 2008)

Hi Kellie,
We had a fantastic day and it was in great part due to the wonderful music by the Starlight Strings Quartet. Many of our guests have since commented on how very good they were, very professional and just perfect for the venue and the occasion.
We would have no hesitation in recommending them to others or having them play at another of our functions.
Also many thanks to your company for making it all so easy and hassle free. 
Anita Maes  Jan 2008 (60th Birthday)

Hi Kellie,
I'd just like to let you know that Starlight Strings played wonderfully at our wedding.
Hi Kellie,
Just got back from honeymoon last night.  Thank you so much for everything - it was a fantastic day and i'm only sorry that i didn't get a chance to catch up with John in person, particularly after exchanging plenty of emails!  I did see him downstairs but was being photographed at the time, but I'll drop him a line personally as his string quartet was excellent and we got many comments from guests about how impressed they were!
Thank you and Pete also for leaping to my rescue when the original quartet folded - it really saved my bacon!  I will certainly be recommending your agency to anyone else getting married - we actually came back from honeymoon with a kiwi couple behind us in the plane who are getting married in the Waikato in April, so I passed on details of all my suppliers!
Thank you again and maybe be in touch again in the future.
Cheers
Su  Priestley Jan 2008

I wasn't around for much of the afternoon as we were getting photos, but my Mum said they were great and everyone enjoyed the music.
Please pass on my thanks,
Josie  Barclay Dec 2007

Hi Kellie – the Starlight Strings were excellent thanks. 
 GREG BILLINGTON  GENERAL MANAGER
Snowberry New Zealand Limited (Dec 2007)

HI Kelly,
As was the case last time, the Trio was great. We very much appreciated there performance and they added to making the night a success.
Regards
Alan Sherris (Nov 2007)

Dear Kellie,
Thank you for the follow up. Please note that the quartet had performed magnificently and His Majesty was very pleased with their performances. I thank you and your company for the assistance in this event and please be assured that we will contact you on future events which will require this service.
Sincerely,
Soane 
Apec Conference Tonga Oct 2007

Hi Kellie,
It was great they are a very good group.
Thanks for the check up.
Kind regards,
 Richard Harri
Synnex New Zealand Ltd August 2007

Kellie,
Everything went wonderfully and I as well as our guests very much enjoyed John's music.  Thankyou for helping us to make our parent's 40th wedding anniversary an unforgetable experience!
Thanks,
Carolyn. Binion-Cooper June 2007 (John Fennell solo violin)

Hi,
The Starlight Trio  were absolutely fabulous. Their performance was beautiful and so appropriate for the occasion.They were lovely people to have in our home and we were delighted with the evening.
Regards
Barbara Andrew (May 2007)

Hi Everyone
Thanks very much for the Starlight quartet that played beautifully at our event on Thursday night.  John was a pleasure to work with and the quartet sounded incredible in the large marble foyer.
Many thanks and Kind Regards
Andrea (Edge Creative) May 2007

Hi Pete,
Yes the event was very successful thank you and the string quartet was wonderful and very professional.
Kind regards
Nerissa Heergdegen March 2007

Hi Pete,
The band did a great job and were very professional!  We were very 
impressed!   Thanks heaps.
Kind Regards
Haley Tietjens (March 2007)

The performance provided by starlight quartet was wonderful.  John was very friendly to deal with prior to the wedding and the musicians looked professional and did a fantastic job.  All the guests enjoyed the beautiful music they played at the reception as well.
We thank you for your service and hope to be in contact in future.
Regards
Eunbee Lee (Feb 2007)

Yes thanks Peter, all was good!
Matt Cole
David Langdon March 2007

Dear Peter, 
Just back from our honeymoon today.
Thank you for your assistance with our entertainment booking for our wedding, November 2006 - Starlight Strings Trio.
John from Starlight Strings was very friendly and professional. They were happy to learn and perform the music I presented and were friendly and well recieved by our guests.
I would have no hesitation booking them again and I look forward to their upcoming wedding album.
Kind regards
Marie Marcinkowski Nov 2006

Hi Pete – the Starlight String Quartet were very good.  Apart from an initial misunderstanding about the time we required them to start, they were excellent. 
 At the end of the event a group of us stayed on to listen to them play and ended up being late for the reception – they were that good.   I feel having such a good band enhanced our event.
Please relay my thanks to the group.
 Kind regards
Anne Griffiths Nov 2006 (wedding)

Hello Pete,
Yes, it was all perfect!! Many thanks.
Best regards, Uwe - German Society of NZ Oct 2006

Starlight Strings provided just the right note of sophistication for the early stages of our function which went off very well. Thanks for your help in stting the arrangements up.
Regards
Geoff Clews Sept 2006

Hi Pete,

The trio were fantastic. Unfortunately we didn’t take into 
consideration that half way through the trio
 playing, they got a bit drowned out by the general chatter as people arrived. It may be a suggestion for people organizing parties etc in the future to think about voice volume. That was our fault though. Other than that they were on time, played beautifully and all in all, the crowd enjoyed the music. I gave the remainder of the invoice to the hunt to be paid so please let me know if you have not yet received this.
Thanks again and regards
Merran Walbridge
Directus International Ltd

I just wanted to pass on my appreciation for the fantastic entertainment the trio provided on Saturday. All the guests were most impressed and the bride and groom couldn’t fault a thing.
Their quick pick-up on the one and only request when the CD didn’t kick-in was much appreciated (and how much effort had gone into pre-planning that CD merge ???), as was the impromptu rendition of happy birthday.
Sorry I didn’t get to meet you in person John, maybe next time.
Please pass the comments and my appreciation on to Igor and his ‘team mates’ for a job well done.
Regards
Hellen Hyndman
Event Designers
‘Making your event great’ April 2006

hi Pete
group were lovely and just the thing for our event
thanks
Meredyth Morgan Auckland City (Feb 2006)

Hi Pete,
The Starlight Trio were great, they set the mood and were a pleasure to work with, thank you and please pass on our sincere thanks to them. And they played the hymn we sprang on them beautifully.
Thank you again,
Kind regards
Finn March 2006

Hello Pete,

Yes, thank you very much. We had an amazing day and all the acts were 
fantastic. They really added to our special day. The string quartet arrived 
on time and were friendly, and in perfect harmony, making our wedding 
ceremony a beautiful memory for all. Many guests commented on the 
professionalism of the performance.

We have sent formal thank yous to you and the acts. please could you forward 
the cards to the appropriate acts, as we do not have their individual 
addresses. The envelope with these cards has been sent from the Cook Islands 
today, and should arrive in less than ten days.

Thank you for everything!
Best Wishes, Clare and Greg Feb 2006

Hi Pete,

Thanks for your email, the starlight string quartet provided a great background to our event at Villa Maria and our client was also very happy with the tempo and style they provided the night
Kind regards
Cal
THE TOTAL EVENT (Jan 2006)

Just a quick note to say that the trio were superb. They gave a wonderful performance, and were extremely flexible in accommodating our requests. We would not hesitate to use them again in future. 
Thank you to you and your team for the extremely professional service, we have been delighted.
Kind regards
Rachael and Keith wedding Jan 2006

All went very well. Thanks for your help
Brian (Sloane) May 2005 wedding

Hi Pete
Sorry for not replying sooner. We have just arrived back in New Zealand after our Europe honeymoon.
Starlight String Quartet provided an excellent performance at our wedding. All the music and hymns were played at the appropriate moments and John was wonderful to deal with. We were very pleased with the music. Thank you.
Regards
Janet Koh (Sept 2005)

Hi team,

We had a great night and your trio certainly made an impression. Thank you. We will be in touch art some time to re book for lunch time etc. Need assured weather.
Regards
Alan Ferris 
Chancery Body Corporate

Hi Peter
Further to your email below, we had a great day and the trio was excellent.
Regards
Paul Van Wamel wedding April 2005

Pete
We were happy with the String Quartet. They played our special pieces contributing to the emotion of the moment during our wedding.
Regards
Roger (Harvey)

Hi there,
Callum was great, the party was a huge success
thanks very much
Annelise Coulam (Solo cellist wedding February 2005)

Hi Caroline and John
I wanted to pass on my thanks - the Trio were fantastic and certainly added to the ambiance and romance of the day. 
I hope you are able to read the poem below written by my father who very much enjoyed your music.
Thank you both for your music and assistance.
Kind regards
Jessica Maxwell.
Wedding Festivities

Jessica's wedding had a three-piece band
Played numbers from Gershwin to Fritz Kreisler
Couldn't hear them, and had a lump in my throat
And tears that would sink a high flyer.

The table cloth we bought in Prague
The suit it came from Quickies
The cello player one of Auckland's best
The guest's tomorrow will have sickies

Maxwell Wedding January 2005

Pete
We were totally pleased with Starlight. The music was excellent and we liked the ability to discuss what we wanted played. I would definitely use them again.
rgds, Nathan Gedye (wedding January 2005)

Dear Pete
Thankyou. We had a wonderful day and the string quartet were just great. Helpful and ready in an emergency, (when we thought our bagpiper wasn't going to make it), they were first class and please pass on our thanks for helping to make it a truly magical day
All the best
Gwen and Graham McTavish (Wedding January 2005)

Thanks again Pete. Starlight Strings suited the ocassion perfectly. Regards. Kay Raynor
(wedding January 2005)

Thanks Pete. They really were fantastic - we were really thrilled with how they performed.Once again a successful evening.
Many thanks
Rebecca Ross
Marketing Manager
Continental Car Services Ltd 
(New model Ferrari release, December 2004)

Hi Pete,
Yes all was well
Regards
Burniece (Datacom event December 2004)

Hi Pete,
My apologies - I only saw this today!
Yes they turned up and were very well received. Absolutely perfect.
Many thanks,
Rach (Baxter) December 2004

Dear Pete,
Just a quick note to thank Starlight Strings for their contribution and involvement with the Auckland Convention Centre launch event last night. The feedback I have received has been overwhelmingly positive, and reflects hugely on the efforts of all of the entertainers involved.
Please pass on my sincere thanks to John and the group.
Kind regards,
Mike Clarkin 
THE EDGE (relaunch of The Edge) Aug 2004

Hi Pete,
The function was a great success, and Starlight Strings were a large 
part of the success. I would have no hesitation recommending them to 
anyone.
Regards
Terry Hawker (party July 2004)

Excellent - thank you, we had a great day.

Rachel Devcich
05.03.2001 (wedding)

Thanks for the note Pete. The musicians were very good. They showed a lot of initiative, and they set up and played as requested. John was very good to deal with before the wedding, he kept in contact and suggested music when I was unsure.
thanks 
Jude & Nick
16.03.2001 (wedding)

Dear Pete,

Just a short note to thank John and co. (The Starlight Trio) for performing at our wedding on 3rd March. They created a beautiful atmosphere during the ceremony and kept the guests well entertained thereafter. Their efforts were well appreciated on such a warm afternoon!

Thanks again.
Martyn and Gill.

Dr Martyn Nash 31.03.2001 
* University Lab. of Physiology,
* Parks Rd, Oxford,

Pete,
Bob , the Quartet, & partytime were excellent. Thanks for introducing them to us.
Michael & Katherine
wedding 29.03.2001

Hi Pete Sorry about taking so long to reply, I have today just returned back to work. Starlight Strings was fantastic, they did a great job and would definitely recommend them to friends who are starting to plan their weddings. Thanks again for all the help.
Regards, Sara (McWatt)
wedding 02.02.02

Pete Everything went very well. We received a lot of compliments for the choice of band and their music, so we are very happy. 
Thanks 
Graham 
Ferrari Owners' Club (Aug 2002)

Glad you contacted Pete. In response to your query....We were very pleased with the music provided by the Starlight Strings Trio. People commented on how pleasant it was to listen to them and the Bride was really delighted.
Thank You.............
Donna Bosson (Wedding Feb 2003)

Hi Pete

Thanks for the e-mail. The day went really well, John from the strings was most helpful and everyone appreciated the music. The Tamlin trio was also well received... All in all really excellent! I wouldn't hesitate in recommending either act.
Thanks again.
Regards,
Pete (Watt - wedding Feb 2003)

Good Morning Pete.
The Starlight String Quartet were brilliant, and the guests showed their appreciation with a standing ovation when they departed.
Given the time they were at at the function - about 4 hours - we ensured that they were all provided with a meal - indeed the same offering served to our guests - and they were most appreciative of the fact that they were looked after in that manner.
So in summary we would certainly have no hesitation in recommending their services for any similar function.

Many thanks,
Janice Guerin. (wedding March 2003)

Dear Pete,

Thankyou so much, The Starlight Strings were fantastic and perfect for the occassion. 
John called a few days before hand to touch base, all 3 arrived on time and all 3 were very professional. 
I look forward to any future business we may do and will gladly refer your web page on for musical talant.

Regards Rina. (Country Road new store opening)March 2003

Hi Pete
Thanks for your follow up email. The band on Wednesday evening were
fabulous, and I have received several comments to that effect from the
guests.

Regards
Nancy (Grice URS October 2003)

Hi Pete

The Starlight String Quartet was perfect at the wedding! They looked so elegant and really added to the whole ambience of the day. The wedding was absolutely perfect, everything went according to plan. The String Quartet knew exactly what to play and when to play it and their timing was perfect. They also played through photos and dinner and provided a wonderful background sound during those times. It was excellent!

Liz (Johnson) wedding Jan 2004

Thanks Pete. The quartet was wonderful and we received many compliments from 
guests about them. Please pass on my thanks and let them know that the 
feedback from guests was fantastic.
Many thanks for organising the music and we will be sure to recommend you in 
the future.
Kind regards,
Rochelle (Arnold) wedding Feb 2004

Pete,
Sorry to take so long.
The Starlight String Trio were brilliant. They created a great atmosphere which a number of guests commended on.
Thanks
Leo (Hills wedding Feb 2004)