2/29/20 Wedding at Opryland Hotel

March 20, 2020 at 5:01 pm (Craig Duncan on violin, Elizabeth Browne, Jocelyn Sprouse on violin, Uncategorized)

As a reminder I’ve changed the names to protect privacy!

On 2/29/20 Allison and her sweetheart, David, were married at the Lion’s Gate Fountain in the Conservatory at Opryland Hotel, a beautiful setting for a small wedding.  We were a quartet playing the Thistle theme from Braveheart for the officiant, groom and Allison’s mother after which Allison arrived at the fountain to “Con Te Partiro”.  The ceremony included a candle-lighting for which we played a verse of “The Prayer”.  After the presentation we launched into the Mouret Rondeau, a tune familiar to those who watch Masterpiece Theater on NPT.

After the ceremony the bride and groom along with their 8 guests had their cocktail hour at the fountain.  When the location of the dinner was ready, we all moved to the Delta Landing in the Delta Pavilion.  The quartet entertained with a wide selection of Broadway and movie themes, some Country selections, Downton Abbey theme and some soft rock.  For their first dance we played Brad Paisley’s “Then” and then just before their exit we played James Otto’s “Just Got Started Loving You”.

Working with Allison and Dave was a joy as they were a lovely, easygoing couple.  Silver Strings extends their congratulations and wishes them a long and happy life together!

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12/9/19 Christmas Party at The Bridge Ministry

December 19, 2019 at 5:05 pm (Uncategorized)

On 12/9/19 a quartet of Silver Strings played for the annual Christmas party for the volunteers with the Bridge Ministry.  Let me explain a little about this work.  Fifteen years ago Candy Christmas, founder of the Bridge Ministry, saw a huge need in Nashville to help the homeless and those down on their luck.  She started with carrying a big pot of jumbalaya downtown to feed homeless people in the area under the Jefferson Street bridge.  This work snowballed over the years into a weekly Tuesday evening supper under the aforementioned bridge complete with semi trucks bringing food, tables, chairs and a stage from which they share their faith and encouragement.  The Bridge Ministry also provides warm coats, shoes, clothes and assistance with finding affordable housing.

If you would like to contribute to this wonderful work there are several ways.  You can donate through the Kroger community giving.  Go to this website to set up an account if you don’t have one already from which you can donate your points to The Bridge Ministry, Inc.

https://www.kroger.com/o/store-services/community-rewards

You can also visit the website to donate or volunteer at:

https://www.bridgeministry.org/

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Silver Strings!

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11/29/19 Wedding at Opryland Hotel

December 19, 2019 at 1:30 am (Craig Duncan on violin, Gary Tussing on cello, Linda Davis on viola., Uncategorized)

Reminder:  The names have been changed to protect the privacy of the guilty. 😉

On 11/29/19, Darin and Joy were married at the Lions Gate Fountain in the Conservatory of the Opryland Hotel with their friends and families in attendance.  Silver Strings was a trio this time bringing a selection of beautiful contemporary and light classics for the prelude and ceremony.  It was an morning for dropping things.  First the officiant dropped one of the rings that thankfully didn’t roll into the pool but soon after during a prayer (thank heavens it happened with everyone’s head bowed) my shoulder pad fell off my instrument and rolled into the pool.  I retrieved it before the prayer was finished but had to continue without it because it was soaked.

After a short but sweet ceremony the guests as well as the quartet moved to the nearby Crystal Gazebo for lunch and festivities.  They choreographed the reception with special music for each presentation.  First off we played “Can’t Help Falling in Love” for their introduction into the reception area.  When it was time to cut the cake we played a verse from “Forever and Ever, Amen”.  One of the guests acted as a sort of MC making presentations and announcing activities.  When it was time to cut the groom’s cake, a chocolate cake decorated in orange and white UT colors, we participated in a joke by playing “Sweet Home Alabama”, only to be interrupted by the MC who demanded we play “Rocky Top”…which we were happy to oblige.

For the send-off we first played “Wagon Wheel” as bottles of bubbles were passed out and then “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” as everyone cheered and blew bubbles as they left.

Darin and Joy were such a delight to work with.  It was our pleasure to be a part of their ceremony and we wish them every happiness in the future.

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11/24/19 Wedding at Scarritt

December 19, 2019 at 1:08 am (Craig Duncan on violin, Gary Tussing on cello, Jocelyn Sprouse on violin, Linda Davis on viola., Uncategorized)

Reminder:  Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the guilty. 😉

On 11/24/19 Darlene and Thomas were married in Wightman Chapel on the Scarritt campus.  Darlene chose traditional music for the prelude and processionals such as “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” for her mother and the rest of the family.  The bride arrived at the altar to the beautiful “Canon in D”.  Before the actual marrying began a friend of the bride sang “Surely the Presence” to set the stage for this covenant.  After a short, sweet ceremony the happy couple recessed to “Allegro” from Handel’s Solomon.

After the ceremony everyone, including the quartet, decamped for The Winery for the reception where the quartet let their classical hair down to play easy listening rock at first switching to more upbeat R&R as the festivities progressed.  Some of the selections were “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”, “A Whiter Shade of Pale”, “Wagon Wheel”, “All You Need Is Love” and “Stand By Me”.

This family was a joy to work with, lovely generous people from start to finish.  Silver Strings congratulates Darlene and Thomas and wishes them much happiness in their future together!

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11/9/19 Wedding at Ravenswood Mansion

December 19, 2019 at 12:37 am (Uncategorized)

Reminder:  Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the guilty. 😉

On 11/9/19 Bill and Rita were married at dusk at the Ravenswood Mansion in Brentwood.  It was a bit chilly that evening as Silver Strings did their best with coats and fingerless gloves to bring the music for this lovely couple.  The quartet played hymns such as “Amazing Grace”, “How Great Thou Art” and “In Christ Alone” for the prelude.  For the mothers and the wedding party they played the theme from “Ladies in Lavender”.  It was a special moment for the bride as the quartet played a composition penned by her soon-to-be husband.  During the service their unity ceremony, creating a three cord braid, the quartet played a verse from “The Prayer”.  A mashup of “Over the Rainbow” with “Simple Gifts” was played for the recessional.

After the ceremony everyone made their way to a tent for the reception where they were grateful for the warmth.  Silver Strings continued the music with contemporary music from movies such as “A Million Dreams” (Greatest Showman), “Meryton Townhall” (Pride and Prejudice) and “Can You Feel the Love” (Lion King) as well as other easy listening selections such as “Moon River”, “Wonderful Tonight” and “Going to Carolina in My Mind”.

Congratulations to the happy couple and Silver Strings wishes them a happy journey through their life together!

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11/2/19 Wedding at Autumn Crest Farm

December 19, 2019 at 12:08 am (Angelina Ruiz of Velour Premier Events, Gary Tussing on cello, Linda Davis on viola., Susan Mullen on violin)

Reminder:  Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the guilty 😉

On 11/2/19 Cassie and Andrew were wed at the beautiful Autumn Crest Farm near Franklin.  Guests had a idyllic view of the countryside during the ceremony.  It was a little chilly that day but all the hearts were warm at the marriage of these two.  Cassie chose contemporary music for the prelude which included “My Old Kentucky Home”, “I’ll Be There For You”, “A Million Dreams”.  Mothers took their places to “How Great Thou Art”, bridesmaids  to “Here Comes the Sun” and the bride to the beautiful “Canon in D”.

After a short, sweet ceremony the couple sealed their marriage ceremony with a kiss and proceeded back down the aisle to the strains of Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”.

The wedding planner/coordinator for this wedding was one of our favorites (real name here), Angelina Ruiz of Velour Premier Events.  She never fails to keep us apprised of what’s going on and signals are flawless.

Congratulations to Cassie and Andrew and many wishes from Silver Strings for a long and happy life together!

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10/19/19 Wedding at Marathon Village’s “A Room with a View”

December 18, 2019 at 11:00 pm (Uncategorized)

Reminder:  Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the guilty.

On Onctober 19, 2019 John married his sweetheart, Margaret, in a lovely ceremony held at Marathon Village’s “A Room with a View”.  Guests entered from Clinton Street, took three flights of steps to the third floor, wound around in a narrow hallway and were rewarded with an unobstructed view of downtown Nashville as a backdrop for the nuptials.

As per John’s request the Silver Strings quartet was more than happy to play a program of all classical music (it’s been a long time since that has happened!)  The icing on the cake, so to speak, was a composition penned by John himself for the occasion of their wedding to which the entire wedding party as well as his bride entered.  The recessional was the traditional Wedding March from Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.  The quartet then continued with music from the Impressionism period with composers such as Debussy and Ravel to render a beautiful, gauzy background to start the festivities.

Congratulations to the happy couple and their families.  Silver Strings wishes them a long and happy life journey together.

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10/12/19 Wedding at Percy Warner Park Stone Stairs

November 24, 2019 at 5:30 pm (Uncategorized)

Starting with this blog post I will be using fictitious names of the bride and groom to help protect their privacy.

On October 12, 2019 a quartet of Silver Strings, led by Susan Mullen, was present for the nuptials of Susan and Jonathan at the Stone Stairs just inside the Belle Meade entrance to Percy Warner Park.  It was a chilly day but all the guests’ hearts were warm in anticipation of the joining of this happy couple in matrimony.

For prelude the quartet played selections from contemporary and classic rock.  Selections included Coldplay’s “Yellow”, Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” and Death Cab for Cutie’s “Soul Meets Body”.  When it came time for the processionals the mothers were seated to “Simple Gifts” after which the groom, officiant and the rest of the men took their places to the groom’s favorite….”Rocky Top”.  Next came the bridesmaids to “The Feather Theme” from Forrest Gump and then the icing on the cake, the bridal processional, from Maren Morris’ “The Bones”.  After the ceremony the newly weds made their way back down the aisle to Coldplay’s “Paradise”.

Silver Strings extends congratulations and best wishes for a long and happy life together to these newlyweds!

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10/5/19 Wedding at Fieldstone Farms Clubhouse

November 7, 2019 at 7:52 pm (Gary Tussing on cello, Linda Davis on viola., Susan Mullen on violin, Toni Ferguson on violin)

On 10/5/19 a quartet of Silver Strings was seen playing for the nuptials of Susan and Presley and for the subsequent festivities.  It was quite warm outside that day but we were cool in the shade playing a mix of light classics and lovely contemporary songs such as Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” and “The Prayer”.  Classics were chosen for the processionals, “Trumpet Voluntary” for the maids, “Canon in D” for Susan.  The ceremony was short and sweet, getting the job done quickly so as to move on to the celebration.  We played them back down the aisle to Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” from Midsummer Night’s Dream.

For the reception we played a lot of my old favorites.  We had discovered during the planning of the music that we had attended the same college at about the same time so there really was a lot in common in our contemporary music tastes.  Susan was great fun to work with in choosing music.

Congratulations to Susan and Presley!  We wish them many happy years together on this second time around.

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9/21/19 Wedding at Cedar Grove Baptist Church

November 7, 2019 at 6:28 pm (Helen Morrisette, Linda Davis on viola., Steve Drake on cello, Susan Mullen on violin)

On 9/21/19 a trio of Silver Strings were present for the wedding of Sallie and Carson at the Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Murfreesboro.  They chose mostly traditional classics maybe with the exception of a special request for Carson and his groomsmen for whom we played an excerpt from “Attaboy” from the Goat Rodeo Sessions.  Yes, folks.  You heard it here first.  Not easy trying to emulate Edgar Meyer, Yo Yo Ma and Marty Stuart but Susan Mullen and Steve Drake stepped up to the plate with me and hit a home run with the piece.

The wedding ceremony was coordinated by the very able Helen Morrisette.  We count on coordinators to do the right thing to the right music and Helen is always on the money.

Congratulations to Sallie and Carson!  They were a joy to work with and we wish them a long and loving life together.

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