About Us
Musical Cocktails Limited was founded in 1997. Since then we have consistently grown to become
a leading audio, data and testing company in our specialised fields.
We are a medium sized company: large enough to provide you with the best service, quality,
fast turnaround and product availability, whilst being small enough to pay attention to the
all-important detail.
Our goods and services are despatched daily throughout the UK and Europe.
During the last few months we have moved premises, re-investing heavily in the latest audio, data and
testing technology, re-affirming our commitment to offer you the best quality and service.
We are leaders in our specialised fields because we are experts in the services we provide, as well as
being an enthusiastic and knowledgeable team of professionals whose backgrounds include
Professional Audio, Performance, Live Sound, Technical, Computer Design / Build & Repair.
We offer the benefit of many many years combined experience in our industry sectors.
Most of our staff are trained to degree or post-graduate level and we are committed to the continued
development of their professional skills, thus keeping us at the leading edge of technological expertise
and development for the benefit of all our customers.
Musical Cocktails Limited's key personnel
Dieter Hester - Managing Director
Karen Cormican - Live Music Director
Phil Hartles - Technical Director
Martin Hart - Software Development Director
Dieter Hester - Managing Director
Dieter's career commenced after graduating from Trinity College of Music, London, in 1994. He was
awarded scholarships from the Ian Karten Musical Trust and Prince of Wales Trust to further his studies
at post-graduate level at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Upon completing his studies Dieter
worked as music technology specialist / consultant for many higher and further educational
establishments and as a freelance orchestral and chamber musician. Since founding Musical Cocktails
in 1997 his career has had a consultant and engineering bias. He has worked on numerous recordings
which have included recordings for Canzonetta (1992 Sainsbury's Choir of the Year) and he produced
the recording of the Memorial service for the late George Carmen QC. He has designed and installed
numerous audio and data networks for studio and educational complexes and currently works with Edexcel
as an examiner for Music Technology 'A' Level. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers.
His playing work currently consists of numerous recitals and concerto performances nationwide and
performing with orchestras like the BBC Concert Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra of Wales.
Karen Cormican - LIVE Music Director
Karen is a specialist in a number of musical genres, including classical, contemporary, jazz, popular and
Irish traditional. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Musical Cocktails, having trained as
a classical violinist at Trinity College of Music, London and completed her studies at the Guildhall School
of Music and Drama where she gained a post-graduate diploma in violin / orchestral studies. Prior to this
Karen won numerous awards and competitions as an Irish musician, having played traditional Irish fiddle
from an early age. Since graduating, Karen has worked in pop, contemporary, classical, jazz and folk at
most of the major concert halls, has composed music for SKY TV and performed on BBC TV on several
occasions. She has also secured long-term musical residencies at top London venues like the
Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch and organised the music for many exhibitions, product launches and
weddings.
Phil Hartles - Technical Director
Phil began his work in computing over 20 years ago at Xerox. Prior to working for Musical Cocktails and
developing our sister company Arnclan, Phil was a director of Auriga Communications Ltd which used to
be the United Kingdom's largest supplier of taxi booking/dispatch systems. At Auriga, Phil was responsible
for a £750000 R&D budget which included the development of the UK's first real-time, wireless credit card
authorisation and transaction processing system. Phil has also chaired a working group for the
Radiocommunications Agency, which was responsible for producing IR2008 (a channel access procedure
for data transmission on Private Mobile Radio networks).
Martin Hart - Software Development Director
Martin left university in 1996 with an honours degree in computer science. Subsequently, Martin joined
Auriga Communications Ltd where he was lead developer on a number of major projects. Martin's breadth
of knowledge and experience of software development enables him to select the most appropriate
programming language and/or development environment for the task in hand, often specifying more than
one for a single project.
We hope you find our website both informative and useful.
Please use the following links to get in touch.
Email: sales@musicalcocktails.com
Tel: 0870 350 8225
Fax: 01923 822522
Tel: International +44 (0)1923 822522