The Strings Attached Studio

is based in Collendoorn, The Netherlands, and is directed by violinist and arranger Frank van Essen.

 

Frank has been playing violin since age 8 and was soon discovered as a great talent. After years of studying classical violin he also picked up drumming, much to the surprise and sometimes dismay of his parents who were both classically trained. Frank joined his first band at age 17 and has always been combining his powerful drumming style with moments of fragile beauty playing violin.

After a few years he was also asked to compose & arrange for a televised music program called "Classic Festival", where a band, small orchestra & choir performed modern versions of well known classical music. From this project grew the desire to do more arranging and orchestrating.

 

In 2014 Frank finished his studies at the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston (MA, USA), earning a Master Certificate in "Orchestration for Film & TV".

Part of the curriculum were Orchestration (1,2), Composing techniques for Film & TV, Film Scoring, Advanced Arranging techniques, World Music and Songwriting for Film & TV.

Some of the work he wrote for this can be heard on the Audio page, or on his Soundcloud page.

 

Nowadays he plays with many renowned artists, mainly in The Netherlands, and has played on hundreds of recordings.

He is a current member of the UK based progressive folk/rock band Iona on drums, percussion and (electric) violins, and is a much sought after session player because of his unique combination of talents. Frank also runs a studio, located in Hardenberg, The Netherlands where he records & produces music for a wide variety of artists in many different styles.

 

The Strings Attached service has grown out of the cooperation with producer Gordon Groothedde (Marco Borsato, Nick & Simon, Matt Simons, Intwine amo) - who was one of the first people to use Frank's string arrangements & recordings in pop songs.

Still working together today, the Strings Attached Service has now been discovered by many producers & artists, as well as Film Composers and TV producers.

Please use the contact page if you have any questions!