Concert tonight

Played with Adlan Cruz in a concert tonight that was truly amazing! Check him out on YouTube.com and prepare to be amazed!

Linda

Sent from my iPad

Awesome wedding reception yesterday with my trio. We rocked the house with Cole Porter, Michel LeGrand, and Latin tunes.

Great wedding

Just played a great wedding at Flint Hill in Norcross with my quartet. They are sooooo totally awesome to play with! Sent from my iPad

Sunday is World Communion Day

I will be playing at HMUMC on Sunday for World Communion Day. I will
be playing an electric violin for the blended service at 9:30am.

New tune suggestions

I found some great new tunes for you brides! Try "Song from a Secret Garden" for an elegant and romantic bridal entry. The whole album by the group Secret Garden is relaxing and romantic, but this tune for solo violin is just a gorgeous piece to walk down the aisle to. Listen also to "Bitterweet Symphony" by the Verve for an exit tune. It is upbeat and happy, and makes a different kind of statement to walk down the aisle to as opposed to the traditional Mendelssohn' Wedding March.
Listen carefully to the next romatic movie soundtrack, and you will get some new ideas of your own. Traditional music is wonderful, but choosing just one tune to set your day aside as a little different from the rest can certainly be doable with very little trouble. Make sure to check with the musicians to see that they are willing to play something a little outside the box, and then have a field day listening to music and watching movies....something is bound to hit you as "your perfect song."

researching music for your wedding

There are some great books out there for you to read in order to familiarize yourself with the "music world" as it pertains to your wedding. Relying on a professional that is the leader or manager of the music ensemble  is the smartest thing to do, but reading and preparing ahead will make it easier to communicate with her. Here are a few recommendations I have. 

CDs and MP3s as demos

If you are considering booking a group of musicians, make sure that you get more than just a CD in the mail, or listen to MP3s on a website. It is easy to download music from anywhere and make a CD or post MP3 files to a site. Look for a group with video that includes live music and sound. You need to make sure that you are booking the group that you think you are in love with, not some group that has pirated some tunes and added their own label. Do not be fooled by video that is just a slide show with music either, as the photos may be real, but who knows where the soundtrack came from. Don't let this frighten you, as most of us in the business are legitimate professionals that know what we are doing, but always beware the new ones that pop up here and there and don't have the experience or the sound that you are looking for. Your wedding only happens once, and the music sets the stage for it to be elegant or not.

Father Daughter, Mother Son, and First Dance

Consider something a little new for a dance. How about a string quartet for the Father - Daughter dance? Maybe "Sunrise, Sunset" played by a string quartet as you float over the floor with your dad. How about "My Favorite Things" for a Mother - Son dance. Best idea yet....."Some Enchanted Evening" as your first dance as a couple played by a classical string quartet. It won't be like EVERYONE else who uses the old standby of a DJ and some "canned" music. Let's face it, you want this to be memorable!

Thinking outside the box

Want to have some beautiful traditional music but want to stand out a little from the crowd?

Try thinking outside the box. Maybe ask the group you are using if you could have a flute player in place of the first violin, or an oboe. Same music, still traditional, but a little different flavor. Something to capture your guests attention. Maybe a harpist and violin soloist, instead of a piano and violin. Still do the same traditional tunes, but a more beautiful, light and angelic sound. Maybe easier if you are in a venue that doesn't have a piano on site.

Whatever you can think up, just ask the manager of the group you are using, and see what they can do. It never hurts to ask!

Saving Money in a Tough Economy

We are all a "little tight" on money right now. Brides included. What do you do to have the fairy tale wedding music on a budget? Here are some ideas:

1. Book a string trio or duo instead of a quartet. This can save several hundred dollars.
2. Consider using the same musicians for the cocktail hour and reception. It is going to save money to have the same group stay, rather than pay another group to come in. All musicians charge a base rate, and after an hour to an hour and a half, you are saving money to just keep the same folks playing.
3. You can downsize from a quartet or trio to a duo for the reception. Ask if they can use electric instruments. As to the Georgia String Ensemble, we have a guitar player that plays viola during the ceremony then switches to guitar (with amp) and a violinist who switches to electric violin for the reception. Check us out at www.georgiastringensemble.com
4. Ask if the group you are using can accept a credit card through PayPal. This defers the money you have to come up with before the wedding. As things settle down later, you can catch up financially.

Relax, and enjoy. Many couples have the most differences over finances, so talk about a budget and a plan ahead of time and STICK TO IT! It will save you in the end!

Wedding Season in Full Bloom!

It may still be a little chilly outside, but the wedding season is in FULL BLOOM! With weddings being booked left and right, all of the musicians are getting smiles on their faces. If you are waiting until the last minute to book a musical group, consider the fact that most brides book about 6 months to 1 year in advance. If you need to book at the last minute, don't hesitate to ask, as we sometimes have last minute cancellations due to unforseen reasons. Visit my site at http://www.georgiastringensemble.com/wedding.html and see how we can help you get the best music for your money.

wedding season starting up again

Well, the phone is ringing off the hook and the in-box is staying full. Looks like wedding season is here again! YAY! For all of you planning a wedding, remember the following:

Any group you choose to hire will have a minimum charge. It is not cheaper to hire them for just one tune.

All musicians should be pros. Hiring students may save money, but you get what you pay for in experience, so that is not the place to save money.

Make sure you have an alternate plan if you are getting married outdoors....rain means the musicians won't unpack! We must play under a shelter if it is even "drizzling" outside.

Have fun!!! It is your BIG DAY!!!!