6/15/19 Wedding a Church of the Assumption

June 17, 2019 at 5:57 pm (Gary Tussing on cello, Jocelyn Sprouse on violin, Linda Davis on viola., Toni Ferguson on violin)

On 6/15/19 at the beautiful, historic Church of the Assumption Molly and John were united in Holy Matrimony in the presence of friends and family.  Silver Strings was a quartet for this wedding in collaboration with the Albennia Ladieu, the church organist.  We were also joined by Steve Patrick on trumpet.  The music was chosen from the classical literature including “Ave Maria”, Handel’s “Rejoicing” and Pachelbel’s “Canon in D”.  We brought the mothers in to Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”, the bridesmaids to Bach’s “Sheep May Safely Graze and finally with a fanfare from the trumpet Molly, escorted by her father, met her groom at the altar to “Trumpet Voluntary”.  Vows recited, rings exchanged and Molly and John pronounced married, it was time for the grand finale…the familiar Mendelssohn “Wedding March”.

Congratulations to Molly, John and their families from Nashville Silver StringsMay their lives be richly blessed in the years to come.

Advertisements

Leave a Comment

6/8/19 Wedding at Scarritt Bennett Chapel

June 17, 2019 at 5:31 pm (Scarritt Wightman Chapel)

On 6/8/19 Mara married her sweetheart, Dylan, in a beautiful ceremony at Scarritt’s Wightman Chapel.  Mara must be a dancer as the procession of the groomsmen and bridesmaids was beautifully choreographed.  Mara also knew exactly what music and what renditions of said music she wanted.  The prelude consisted of mostly movie themes such as “You’ll Be In My Heart” from Tarzan and “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman.  The processionals were hymns, “How Deep the Fathers Love” for the men and mothers, “Before the Throne of God” for the bridesmaids and finally a Celtic rendition of “Come Thou Fount” for the bridal entrance.  During the ceremony and as a surprise for Dylan’s father and family, Dylan’s sister, Ashley, sang “Fall on Me” in English and Spanish.  After the vows and ring exchange the chosen recessional, “Come On Eileen”, hinted at the festivities to follow as it shooed the newlyweds and everyone else back down the aisle.

Congratulations and best wishes for a long and happy life together to Mara and Dylan from Nashville Silver Strings!

IMG_0877

Leave a Comment

5/25/19 Wedding at Opryland Hotel’s Lion’s Gate Fountain

June 6, 2019 at 5:58 pm (Elizabeth Browne on cello, Jocelyn Sprouse on violin, Linda Davis on viola., Susan Mullen on violin)

On 5/25/19 Silver Strings gathered to perform music for the nuptials of Tiffany and Brent.  I have to say this was one of the sweetest, most wonderful services of which I’ve been a part.  Matt, the officiant, told the story of Brent’s proposal.  They apparently met through an online dating website and the rest is history.  Brent had taken Tiffany on a holiday to Bermuda where he invited her to take a walk on the beach with him early one morning.  Unbeknownst to her he had half buried a bottle, decked out to look old, in the sand with a message (the proposal) on aged-looking paper.  He made sure she found the bottle and it was several sentences into the message before she realized it was his marriage proposal to her.  That right there was worth the price of admission.

For the music Tiffany chose contemporary songs such as “Beautiful Day”, “1979” and “Bittersweet Symphony” which we interspersed with a few selections from the classical repertoire.  “Ave Maria” was selected for the wedding party and “Con Te Partiro” was selected for Tiffany’s entrance.  After the opening words and a prayer by Tiffany’s dad, Matt cleared his throat signaling us to begin playing the chords to Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy” as in inside joke for Brent.  He recited a couple of the opening sentences and after a flourish by the strings, proceeded to the serious business of uniting the lovely couple.

The unity ceremony consisted of the parents mingling wine in a cup that was set on a nearby table along with the aforementioned bottle and framed message.  Tiffany and Brent shared a sip of the wine after which they exchanged rings and were ultimately pronounced married.  Appropriately enough they recessed to James Brown’s “I Feel Good”.

Tiffany, her mother, Mona, and officiant Matt were a joy to work with.  So it is with a big smile on my face that I congratulate Tiffany and Brent and wish them abundant happiness in the coming years!

 

Leave a Comment

5/18/19 Wedding at Magnolia Country Chapel

May 28, 2019 at 9:54 pm (Gary Tussing on cello, Linda Davis on viola., Susan Mullen on violin, Uncategorized)

On May 18, 2019 Silver Strings found their way to Adams, TN to Magnolia Country Chapel where guests were witness to the nuptials of Katie and Nick.  The venue boasted gorgeous views of the rural setting and the location of the gazebo where the couple was married was well shaded and with the help of a gentle breeze, all were comfortable.

Katie had definite ideas as to the music she wanted for her ceremony.  While she let me choose most of the music for the prelude we did include “Ocean Eyes” (Billie Eillish) and “Sweet Creature” (Harry Stiles).  For the mothers’ processional we revisited “Stand By Me”, the version used at the latest royal wedding.  Katie floated down the aisle on her father’s arm to “Cigarette Daydreams” (Cage the Elephant).  Thank heavens they chose to braid three chords for a unity ceremony as the breeze would have immediately blown out a unity candle…not an auspicious sign for wedding.  When all was vowed and exchanged we sent the newlyweds back down the aisle to “You’re the One” (Greta Van Fleet).

Congratulations to Katie and Nick and their families!

Leave a Comment

5/11/19 Wedding at CJ’s Off the Square

May 28, 2019 at 9:34 pm (CJ's Off the Square, Craig Duncan on violin, Gary Tussing on cello, Linda Davis on viola., Weddings)

On May 11, 2019  Katie and Mike tied the knot at CJ’s Off the Square.  The light rain that fell during the ceremony did nothing to dampen the spirit of the day.  CJ and her crew immediately brought out the umbrellas as Katie and Mike recited their vows and exchanged rings.  In a few minutes the trio played the recessional and the festivities began under the Pavilion.  But I’m ahead of myself.  Katie chose music from the classical literature for the prelude and processionals.  The recessional, a favorite of Mike’s, was “Never My Love”, originally done by the Association.

The trio, consisting of Craig Duncan, Gary Tussing and myself, then played for the cocktail hour as well as the dinner.  We started off with “It Had to Be You” for their first dance, after which we played a wide range of classic rock, jazz and contemporary favorites and even a waltz by request of one of the guests.  Another one of Mike and Katie’s favorites was “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” which we played not once, but twice, to make sure Mike heard it.

Katie was a delight to work with and the guests were an appreciative audience.  It was truly a joyous evening all around.  Congratulations to Katie and Mike – a match made in heaven.  Best wishes to the newlyweds for a long and happy life together.

 

Leave a Comment

3/30/19 Wedding at Wightman Chapel, Scarritt

April 15, 2019 at 5:36 pm (Gary Tussing on cello, Jocelyn Sprouse on violin, Linda Davis on viola., Scarritt Wightman Chapel, Toni Ferguson on violin)

In the late afternoon of 3/30/19 Caylor wed her sweetheart, Cody, in a lovely ceremony at Wightman Chapel on the Scarritt campus.  Silver Strings quartet was present to play an eclectic mix of light classics, Country and Broadway songs.

The prelude started off with “Cowboy Take Me Away”, “Can’t Help Falling In Love” and a mashup of “Perfect” with “Canon in D”.  Mothers processed to “The Prayer”, lighting candles placed on a table to one side of the stage to honor loved ones who had gone before.  Assuming it was Cody who listens to Country music, the groomsmen and he entered to “Friends in Low Places”.  Next came the bridesmaids and children to “Music of the Night” from Phantom of the Opera after which Caylor made her entrance on her father’s arm to “All I Ask of You”, also from Phantom.

During the ceremony Caylor and Cody had a unity rite that consisted of pouring together glass beads of black and white that would later be melted into something beautiful to signify the permanence of their union.  During this rite we softly played “The Lord Bless You and Keep You”.

After their self-penned vows, exchange of rings, the kiss and the presentation of Mr. and Mrs., we launched into “Forever and Ever, Amen” to end them back down the aisle as newlyweds.  The picture below is of Caylor’s stunning bouquet.  What a gorgeous idea!

Congratulations and best wishes from Silver Strings to Caylor and Cody!

IMG_0838

 

Leave a Comment

Wedding at Hermitage Hotel 1/26/19

January 30, 2019 at 8:06 pm (Craig Duncan on violin, Gary Tussing on cello, Jocelyn Sprouse on violin, Linda Davis on viola., Modern Vintage Events, Uncategorized)

On Saturday evening, 1/26/18, at the Hermitage Hotel, Pamela wed her sweetheart, Zach, in a lovely ceremony on the veranda.  Silver Strings was a quartet this time playing mostly contemporary selections such as “When I Fall in Love” and “All of Me” for the prelude.  For the processionals Pamela chose the Royal Wedding rendition of “Stand By Me” for the grandparents and her mother.  Next as we played “Canon in D” Zach entered after the minister to place roses on two chairs to honor his parents and was then followed by the attendants.  Pamela entered on her father’s arm looking absolutely stunning in her white gown with an enormous, wide train to the strains of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You”.

As Zach is a proud member of the United States Navy, he and his groomsmen were dressed in uniform.  Very sharp!  After a short ceremony they recessed to the Beatles’ “All You Need is Love”.  Then to the delight of the guests Pamela and Zach entered the festivities through an arch of swords, being stopped by every pair of swordsmen with the demand that Zach kiss his bride.  Pamela was duly welcomed into the Naval family.

As young people these days are incredibly busy I worked mostly with Pamela’s mother, Vickie, on the music selections.  She and Becca from Modern Vintage Events were a joy to work with, telling stories over coffee and making the music selection a lot of fun.

Congratulations to Pamela and Zach and their families with many wishes for a long and happy life together.

Leave a Comment

Awards Dinner at the Hilton 1/18/19

January 30, 2019 at 7:41 pm (Uncategorized)

On Friday evening 1/18/19 Silver Strings quartet, fleshed out with drums and bass, entertained the Tennessee Bar Foundation members during their annual Awards Dinner at the Hilton Hotel downtown.  We played a mix of classical and low key contemporary pop for the dinner.  Tunes included Piazzola’s fabulously sensual tango, “Oblivion”, “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables, Khachaturian’s “Masquerade Waltz” and a beautiful rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”.

After dinner we let our classical hair down and launched into a dance set that included “String of Pearls”,  selections for tango, cha cha, rhumba, waltz and songs like “Born to Be Wild” and “Devil With the Blue Dress” for good old rock and roll.  One of the guests asked to sing Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” which we were happy to oblige and were pleased to hear a very acceptable rendition of that classic.

Congratulations to the award winners and thanks to the Foundation for having us back again this year!

img_0785

Leave a Comment

12/29/18 Wedding at Granny White Church of Christ

January 22, 2019 at 5:05 am (Craig Duncan on violin, Keith Nicholas on cello, Linda Davis on viola., Toni Ferguson on violin)

Silver Strings had an end of the year wedding at the Granny White Church of Christ where Ashleigh wed her sweetheart, John.  On my way to the wedding I found myself singing “Get Me to the Church On Time” as my car suddenly started to run very roughly a few blocks from the church.  At the last stop light with my heel on the accelerator, toes on the brake and the clutch in, I was able to keep the car from stalling until I could limp the last few blocks to the church.

The wedding was lovely, Ashleigh’s train one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, and the music which included hymns and Disney favorites favorites letting the guests know exactly who Ashleigh and John are.  For the mothers’ processional we played “Annie’s Song” which was played for Ashleigh’s parent’s wedding.    The beautiful Canon in D was played for the bridesmaids after which a fanfare brought everyone to their feet for the entrance of the bride to “Trumpet Voluntary”.  Vows were said, rings exchanged and as an accompaniment for their Communion, friend, Andy Flatt sang a very stirring rendition of “In Christ Alone” with the quartet accompanying.  Soon the newly married couple were joyfully returning down the aisle to Mendelssohn’s Wedding March as Mr. and Mrs.

Congratulations to Ashleigh and John and their families!  May they enjoy a long and happy life together.

P.S. I managed to coax my little car to a gas station half a mile away, parked it and got a ride the last mile home sure that my car was going to cost an arm and a leg to spring from the station.  Turned out to be fouled spark plugs.  Whew!img_0778

 

Leave a Comment

11/17/18 Wedding at Schrader Lane Church of Christ

December 17, 2018 at 1:09 am (Cheri Drummond on violin, Gary Tussing on cello, Linda Davis on viola., Toni Ferguson on violin)

On November 17, 2018 Silver Strings quartet convened at the Schrader Lane Church of Christ to bring music to the nuptials of Janean and Trey.  When we entered the church we were struck by the gorgeous drape on the stage that would frame the couple as they said their vows.  The music was mostly classical for the prelude and processionals.  Janean chose Canon in D for her entrance.  After the couple mounted the steps to the stage a friend, DaJanae Burnett, sang “A Couple of Forevers” accompanied by Silver Strings.  After the exchange of vows and rings, DaJanae and her cousin, Rayshan Booker, gave us all goose bumps as they sang a very stirring rendition of “The Prayer” during Janean and Trey’s unity ceremony.  After all was said and done Rayshan sent the newlyweds back down the aisle singing “Fly Me To the Moon” with the quartet.

Congratulations to Janean and Trey from all of us with Silver Strings.  We wish them much happiness together!IMG_0758in the years to come!

Leave a Comment

« Older entries