Beyond the Directory: The Art of High-Level Curation at Toulston Music
Toulston works with some of the UK’s best orchestral talent
In the modern music industry, the distance between a high-stakes film scoring session and an intimate luxury residency can often be measured by the quality of the "fix." While the digital age has made it easier than ever to find a musician, the art of curation—finding the right personality for the right room—has become a rare commodity.
At the heart of this evolving landscape is Toulston Music. Founded by pianist and fixer Ben McGettigan, the agency is making waves not by being the largest, but by being the most intentional. Named after a "lost" Anglo-Saxon village in Yorkshire that now exists only as a captivating memory beneath the earth, Toulston is built on the philosophy of unearthing and supporting world-class talent in an increasingly fragmented market.
Toulston is a favourite amongst studios for their high-class session musicians
The Ritual of Performance
Ben’s connection to the industry isn’t just professional; it is deeply personal, rooted in hours spent as a child playing on his family A.H. Francke piano.
"Music was a constant, almost ritualistic presence in our house," Ben reflects. "I remember the annual Boxing Day family gatherings where I’d be ‘forced’ into a performance. It was a ritual struggle I inevitably lost, but looking back, those moments taught me that performance is about more than just notes—it’s about a connection with an audience, however small or demanding."
This empathy for the performer’s experience became the catalyst for Toulston. After years working as an events pianist and booking manager, Ben witnessed the "carnage" of the industry firsthand: musicians working with vague briefs, and clients spending significant budgets on acts that didn't match the promotional materials.
London-based O-M-Strings are regularly seen doing their high energy performances in Covent Garden
"I saw incredible artists who wanted to focus on their creative projects but were bogged down by the administrative weight of the business," Ben explains. "I realised that by handling the logistics—the parts of the job many musicians find draining—I could help them develop the careers they actually wanted. I’m a bit unique in that I genuinely enjoy the administrative side. But more than that, I love people. I want Toulston to be an agency built on in-person relationships, not just anonymous emails."
The "Human Factor" in Orchestral Fixing
When it comes to orchestral fixing for film, TV, and commercial sessions, the technical bar is extraordinarily high. However, for Toulston, technical brilliance is only the entry requirement. The real art lies in managing the "human factor."
"You aren't just fixing talent; you are fixing personalities and styles," says Ben. "In an orchestra, there is a ‘democracy of sound.’ You need players who are exceptional, but who also understand when to blend and when to lead. Reliability is our North Star. I will always choose a great player who is consistently reliable and respects the client’s session over a virtuoso who is unpredictable. When a client is investing significantly in a session, they deserve a team that treats that investment with total respect."
The Northern Film Orchestra have joined the Toulston roster
A Living Tradition: The Jazz and Classical Continuum
Toulston’s roster reflects this belief in reliability and character, bridging the gap between established pioneers and the next generation of innovators.
In the jazz world, the agency rejects the traditional labels of "veteran" versus "newcomer." Instead, it focuses on the energy and knowledge-sharing that happens when different generations collide. A prime example is Jonathan Gee, a seminal figure in British jazz for over three decades.
"Jonathan is a force of nature," Ben notes. "To call him a veteran implies a static status, but he has more energy for the craft than almost anyone I know. In our work at venues like sYp, we see this beautiful exchange where the established pillars of the scene play alongside younger innovators like Fraser Urquhart. It’s a privilege for both sides; the music stays alive because it’s being shared across generations."
This same spirit of innovation extends to the classical and global music wings of the agency. Shirley Smart, a Professor at the Royal College of Music, exemplifies the "Toulston Artist"—someone equally comfortable in the rigors of academia as she is improvising in a high-energy jazz trio. Meanwhile, ensembles like Quartet Concrète are reimagining the string quartet as a multidisciplinary tool, recently earning critical acclaim for their theatrical collaborations at Opera Holland Park.
Bespoke Programming for a New Era
As London’s luxury hospitality and private event sectors demand more authenticity, the "Toulston approach" is becoming the gold standard. Whether it’s Olly Mux delivering a refined vocal residency at the Savoy or a full-scale orchestral fix for a cinematic score, the agency’s goal is to remove the "noise" of the industry.
"At the end of the day, we are in the business of connection," Ben concludes. "By being a human-first agency, we ensure the musicians are happy, the clients are respected, and the music—just like that forgotten village in Yorkshire—remains a solid, captivating foundation for everything we do."
