nashvillesilverstrings

The second wedding in our June 17 double header took place in Franklin, TN at the Southern Hills Church of Christ.  This wedding was by far the most interesting, fun and challenging wedding in our long history of playing weddings.

Amy and Kyle were married in a more or less traditional ceremony with several practical jokes played along the way.  Processionals included “On the Street Where You Live” for the mothers and grandmothers.  Then the fun began with the groomsmen arriving to “Raiders of the Lost Ark” theme followed by “Concerning Hobbits” for the bridesmaids and kids.  Amy chose “Mrs Darcy” from Pride and Prejudice for her entrance.

After the preliminaries it was time for the exchange of vows.  One of the groomsmen handed Kyle his vows that looked like a wadded up piece of paper with nothing written on it.  Oh well.  Then came the exchange of rings at which time one of the groomsmen dropped a ring on the floor and went scurrying after it.  Turns out it wasn’t the real thing, just a distraction.  Vows finally said, real rings exchanged, it was time for the kiss.  This time all the groomsmen opened pieces of paper with either a number or comment written them in judgement of the kiss.  We’re not done yet…at the amen of the final prayer the trio launched into “I Am the Doctor” from Dr. Who, a song that on American Bandstand would have gotten the lowest rating possible for dancing.  The song is written in 7/8, a time signature that suggests a marked limp with the uneven feel of an odd number.

After the ceremony we reconvened outside to play more movie music, including the “Throne Room” processional from Star Wars for the presentation of the newlyweds,  and classic rock for the guests as they feasted and celebrated with Ashley and Kyle.  Several guests took the microphone to sing several requested songs accompanied by us.  As soon as the sun went down the guests were treated to a beautiful display of fireworks.

Congratulations to Amy and Kyle and a thanks from us for all the smiles and laughter.  A wonderful time was had by all.  Your senses of humor will be a huge asset in the daily ups and downs of married life.

Maria was a delight to work with on her wedding music.  We met for coffee a few weeks before the big day to decide on her music.  She chose “Isn’t She Lovely” for the mothers, “Can You Feel the Love” for the bridesmaids and “Canon in D” for her entrance.  We stayed with the classics for the prelude however and for the big finale we sent Maria and her now husband, Alex, off to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” after he stomped a glass in the Jewish tradition.

The quartet decamped from the ballroom at the Cannery to an adjoining room to play for the cocktail hour while the first room was set with tables for the reception.  We kicked the music into high gear with songs like “I Say a Little Prayer for You”, a request by the bride.  Other songs included “I Feel Good”, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” and “This Will Be an Everlasting Love”.  A young boy who enjoyed our music expressed a desire to learn how to play the violin, so Toni Ferguson showed him how to hold the violin and bow and gave him a quick first lesson.

Congratulations to Marie, Alex and their families.  Many wishes for a long and happy life together!

Silver Strings had a double header on May 20.  After the wedding in Germantown we headed out to the Loveless Cafe Barn to see to it that Rachel and Dalton were duly married.  Unfortunately for them the heavens opened up making it impossible for them to have their ceremony on the outdoor patio as planned.  Fortunately for everyone, the family had such a great sense of humor about the whole day that the joy of getting married shone through bright and clear.  We ended up cramming ourselves with the guests on the covered part of the patio and improvised an aisle.  We were out of the way as much as possible but it meant that I had to stand on my chair (nearly falling off at one point) to see when to play what and when to stop.

We played the classics for the processionals including the ever popular “Canon in D” for Rachel and recessed them to a couple of Bach Gavottes…a first for us but it worked very well.  Then on to the cocktail hour where we played some wonderful old standards as well as a request of “Don’t Stop Believing” from one of the guests.

And at the end of every wedding we always look at each other and say, “They’re married!”  And in spite of the steady rain and cramped ceremony site Rachel and Dalton became husband and wife.  Congratulations!

On May 20 Silver Strings once again found themselves as a quartet at Church of the Assumption.  Once again we were joined by vocalist Julie Cox and trumpet player, Mike Casteel to present music for the wedding Mass of Caroline and Morgan.  We started off with Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro”, the slow movement this time of Bach’s concerto for two violins and some Rachmaninov that was made famous by the movie “Somewhere in Time”.

The music choices were, of course, classical as per the wishes of the church.  Mothers were seated to Bach’s “Arioso”, maids entered to “Canon in D” and Caroline made her way down the aisle on her father’s arm to “Trumpet Voluntary” after a grand trumpet fanfare.  Julie sang the Celtic Alleluia after the Gospel Acclamation, reprised “The Prayer” during the Sign of Peace and “Ave Maria” during Communion.

When all was said and done Caroline and Morgan made their way back down the aisle to Handel’s “Hornpipe” after which we finished up with a postlude of Handel’s “The Rejoicing”.

And may they live happily ever after.

Following an earlier wedding in Germantown, Silver Strings had just enough time to get to the zoo to first play for a cocktail hour and then for the nuptials of Audrey and Jhones. Apparently both Audrey and Jhones are animal lovers and word has it that they met doing what they love most…taking care of animals.  The fun part was to see the animal masks on the adults and face painting for the kids.  The cocktail hour took place at the carousel where everyone was able to take a ride or two.  We played a number of Celtic tunes, several Beatles songs “here Comes the Sun” (wishful thinking for a rainy day), as well as movie music from Beauty and Beast and Aladdin for this part.

As the sun went down the quartet and guests walked to the nearby Croft House where the ceremony took place in the back yard.  We played “Can’t Help Falling in Love” for the seating of the family, “What a Wonderful World” for the wedding party and finally “Canon in D” for Audrey.  After a simple ceremony we played them back down the aisle to “All You Need Is Love”.

May Audrey and Jhones have many years of sharing their love for animals and especially for each other!  Congratulations!

It was a very busy – and chaotic weekend with the rain forcing certain adaptations.  A trio of us gathered at the Lodge at Cedars of Lebanon State Park on April 23, 2017 to bring beautiful music to the nuptials of Ann and Jason.  Ann chose mostly classical selections which we are always happy to play.  Two friends of theirs sang songs, “Love Never Fails You” for her processional and “Clean” for their Communion and Unity Heart construction.  Chris, the male vocalist, got lost trying to find the Lodge and we didn’t get a chance to rehearse with him before the ceremony began.  The performance went flawlessly thanks to the experience and professionalism of all involved.

Jason and Ann wrote their own vows which were very lovely and touching.  After the kiss to seal their union, they made their way back down the aisle to “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba”, a very joyful piece by Handel.

Congratulations to Ann and Jason and their families.  May they be able to share their love and faith for many, many years to come.