Stephen Cordiner Music
UK session violinist, violist and string arranger for studio recording, television, film and live performance.
Session Strings
Session Strings
I collaborate with many of the UK’s leading recording studios. My work ranges from assembling and leading groups of musicians to performing pre-written scores, to arranging and layering violin and viola parts as a solo violinist and violist.
My recording sessions and live performances in the North West have included work with prominent local artists such as The Blossoms, Badly Drawn Boy, Cherry Ghost and Stuart McCallum. I collaborate regularly with professional arranger and pianist Oliver Hamilton.
I have recorded backing strings for a wide range of pop artists, including leading string sections for Sony Music. My recording and performance credits have featured artists including Emeli Sandé, Paloma Faith, Gabrielle, Lily Allen, Sugababes, The Brand New Heavies, DJ Spoony, Hamzaa, So Solid Crew, and Raleigh Ritchie.
As a section leader, I have performed and recorded for BBC and ITV productions across television, film and radio. I graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music with honours and postgraduate degrees in classical violin performance, studying under Yuri Torchinsky, the leader of the BBC Philharmonic.
TV and Live Performances
My television and live broadcast credits include performing on stage with Lady Gaga at the Royal Variety Performance and appearing live with Il Divo. I have also recorded for and appeared in major television productions, including the BBC’s Peaky Blinders and Gentleman Jack, ITV’s Victoria, and various editions of Songs of Praise.
In musical theatre, I have worked closely with prominent West End musical directors, including Nigel Lilley, on major productions such as My Fair Lady and Stephen Sondheim’s Company.
Folk and Traditional Music
I’m originally from the small fishing town of Lossiemouth in the north-east of Scotland, where I grew up surrounded by traditional music. As a young musician, I travelled regularly to Celtic festivals with groups such as the Speyside Fiddlers.
I later went on to win the Glenfiddich Fiddle Championship and have performed as a guest solo violinist at the Shetland Fiddle and Accordion Festival. I have also adjudicated traditional music festivals across the Scottish Highlands, including events in Wick and Thurso.
Traditional music has remained a big part of my career. For the past two decades, I have performed with the ceilidh band Triple Scotch at events across the UK and Europe. More recently, I travelled to Australia as a guest solo artist at the 2026 Australian Celtic Music Festival.
I also enjoy working with singers and other musicians in the studio, writing, arranging and improvising traditional fiddle parts to suit each track.
Contact
Based in Macclesfield, Cheshire, I am available for studio sessions, remote recording and live performances throughout the UK. Please get in touch to discuss your project.
stephencordiner81@gmail.com
07974914635
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