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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September 12, 2019 at 7:19 pm (Gary Tussing on cello, Jocelyn Sprouse on violin, Linda Davis on viola., Scarritt Wightman Chapel, Susan Mullen on violin, Uncategorized)
On 8/10/19 Ann Claire wed Garrett in a lovely traditional ceremony at Wightman Chapel on the Scarritt Bennett campus. We were a quartet that day with the addition of organist, Jennie Smith, playing classical selections for prelude and processionals. Ann Claire met Garrett at the altar to the strains of the powerful “Trumpet Voluntary” played by the organ and accompanied by the quartet.
The highlight for us was accompanying Martha Ann Hawkins, a friend of the bride, who sang “Surely the Presence” right after Ann Claire’s father gave her away. Her performance was simply gorgeous…another goosebump moment reminding us of why we’re in this business.
After a simple ceremony the quartet again joined the organ to play the couple back down the aisle to Handel’s “Hornpipe”. Congratulations to Ann Claire and Garrett with wishes for a wonderful and happy life together!
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September 12, 2019 at 6:35 pm (Angelina Ruiz of Velour Premier Events, Jocelyn Sprouse on violin, Melodie Chase on cello, Uncategorized)
On 7/13/19 Silver Strings was in attendance at the nuptials of Laura and Todd at the Estate at Cherokee Park. This estate, overlooking Old Hickory Lake, is absolutely stunning with beautiful pools, gardens and the grand mansion. With this estate a couple can easily have contingency plans in case of inclement weather.
For her music Laura chose a combination of traditional classics as well as contemporary selections such as “Here Comes the Sun” for the prelude…appropriate because that day a storm looked imminent as the ceremony time was approaching. Fortunately the rain held off until the ceremony was over. Mothers were escorted to their seats to a combination of “Simple Gifts and Over the Rainbow”, bridesmaids to their positions to the Handel “Hornpipe” and finally Laura met Todd at the altar to the beautiful “Canon in D”. During the ceremony they had a Glass Unity Ceremony for which we played “A Million Dreams.” After the presentation of the newly wedded couple they made their way back down the aisle to “You Make My Dreams Come True”.
After the ceremony we decamped to the mansion to play for cocktails. As the weather was so unpredictable we played indoors. No complaints from us to be able to play in an air conditioned room on a warm summer evening.
Angie Ruiz of Velour Premier Events, the planner and coordinator for this wedding did an amazing job of directing and making split second decisions required when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Congratulations to Laura, Todd and their families with best wishes for a long and happy life together!
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July 18, 2019 at 10:39 pm (Angelina Ruiz of Velour Premier Events, Gary Tussing on cello, Jocelyn Sprouse on violin, Linda Davis on viola., Susan Mullen on violin)
On June 29, 2019 Nashville Silver Strings quartet had the honor of providing the music for the wedding of Taylor and Bryce at the beautiful Estate at Cherokee Dock near Lebanon, TN. This is one of those places where you leave the world behind when you pass through the gates it’s so peaceful and idyllic.
Taylor chose mostly contemporary music along with “Canon in D” and “Ave Maria”. We played “To Make You Feel My Love” for the mothers and grandmothers, “Stand By Me” for the bridesmaids (as in the last Royal Wedding) and “Can’t Help Falling In Love” for Taylor’s entrance. After a lovely ceremony we played the newlyweds back down the aisle to “You Make My Dreams Come True”.
Soon after the recessional we decamped to the poolside area behind the mansion to play for cocktails while the wedding party had pictures made. The pool is stunningly beautiful, very artistically done. We entertained guests with Beatles, Elton John and many other classic rock tunes.
Angelina Ruiz of Velour Premier Events was the planner/coordinator for this wedding. Angie is an amazing planner and coordinator…one of the very best. I can’t say enough good things about her ability to coordinate events. As musicians we’re at the mercy of the coordinator and Angie never forgets us in the heat of the moments leading up to the processionals. We have the luxury of being able to relax and play our best knowing we won’t have to do any damage control.
Time to congratulate Taylor and Bryce and wish them a wonderful and happy life together!
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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.
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November 12, 2018 at 11:10 pm (Gary Tussing on cello, Jocelyn Sprouse on violin, Linda Davis on viola., Uncategorized)
On 10/27/18 Silver Strings convened at Wightman Chapel on the Scarritt Campus for the nuptials of Shannon and Eduardo. Jocelyn Sprouse and Gary Tussing joined me in a mostly classical setting in this beautiful chapel. Grandparents and mothers took their places to Bach’s “Sheep May Safely Graze” after which the attendants arrived to the no-so-classical Coldplay tune “Clocks”. Shannon met Eduardo at the altar to “Trumpet Voluntary”.
Two friends of the couple lent their beautiful voices to moments during the ceremony. At the beginning of the ceremony Maribeth sang “Blessed assurance”, accompanying herself on the piano. After a scripture reading Dennis sang “In Christ Alone” with the trio along with the piano as accompaniment. Both of them gave me goosebumps with the beauty of their singing. After the vows and exchange of rings Maribeth and Dennis sang “The Prayer” with the trio in another goosebumpy moment.
When the Newlyweds were introduced we sent them back down the aisle to U2’s “Beautiful Day”. And indeed it was a beautiful day for everyone. Congratulations to Shannon and Eduardo and their families with wishes for a long and happy life together!
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June 30, 2018 at 11:51 pm (Craig Duncan on violin, Gary Tussing on cello, Jocelyn Sprouse on violin, Linda Davis on viola., Scarritt Wightman Chapel, Uncategorized)
On 6/16/18 Silver Strings was in attendance at Wightman Chapel on the Scarritt campus bringing selection of contemporary songs to the wedding of Rachel and Nick. I got a last minute request for “Stand By Me” from Rachel. I asked her if she had just watched the Royal Wedding to which she admitted she had. Fortunately I had set my alarm to get up in time to watch the royal nuptials and heard the gospel choir sing their interpretation of this song. I got out my stock arrangement of the the Ben E. King version, decided it couldn’t be what Rachel was thinking and transcribed what the choir did. I told the quartet to play it as though we were a gospel choir…which they did admirably.
Rachel had also asked for “Your Song” by Elton John for the mothers and men, “Stolen” by Dashboard Confessional for the bridesmaids, and finally “Young and Beautiful” by Lana del Ray for her entrance. After the vows and rings were exchanged, the pronouncement of marriage and most importantly….the kiss….we played them back down the aisle as husband and wife to “Shut Up and Dance”. And indeed it was time to dance with joy and celebration.
Congratulations to Rachel and Nick! May they have a long and happy union!
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