Tuesday, November 19, 2013

News, highlights and great tips and a few mishaps as well from our year to date events, concerts and weddings!

Outstanding events this year included a late September performance at a museum on the east side of Manhattan completely unique and new to us. Tucked away behind a red door is the "American Illustrators Museum" and "Society of Illustrators" on E. 63rd St. The museum has wonderful exhibits of illustrations by famous artists as well as students and it supports the work of many young presenters, students and much more.
 
The beautiful illustration was on display the evening I performed at the museum at one of it's private fund raising events..lovely!
 
Other highlights included a concert performance at the Federal Veterans Hospital in St. Albans, and also at the Bronxwood Home for the Aged in the Bronx. These performances by our Duo of Harp and Violin were memorable and I for one was touched by the many questions and responses of the patients in both settings...sweet and meaningful to both myself and the harpist....see our lovely audience participants together with harpist after the concert held in late May.
 
Capriccio Ensemble performed at various concerts, events and weddings in NYC, Long Island, Westchester and NJ this year. I took as many photos as were possible at each of our events....here are a few highlights from various weddings we performed at this year in 2013!
Lovely Nuptial Mass held at Our Lady of Victory Church in Floral Park NY on 8/30/13 performed by our String Trio

Solo Violinist after a concert held at Epiphany at St. Kevin's Church in
Auburndale NY

Bride and Groom just married on 11/3/13 at Smithtown Landing Country Club on Long Island! Lovely couple, Jeffrey and Elisa. I had the pleasure of performing their very first dance song "Every Breath You Take" by Sting for them :)

A beautiful bride with a most handsome Groom, at a wedding ceremony held in March at the Smithtown Landing Country Club. The venue is one of the most hospitable places we have ever worked at ..very nice staff. Congrats to Christine and Jude! ..wishing you both every happiness always!

Photo taken from where I had been performing for their ceremony, in the back of the outdoor garden area at the absolutely gorgeous East Wind Caterers and Estate for Chrissy and Trevor our stunning and sweet military bride and groom on 7/19/13...Congrats! We wish you both a lifetime of happiness!

At the Glen Island Harbour club at a wedding ceremony performed for Jennifer and Michael on June 29th 2013..the glass enclosed chapel is stunning on a lovely day with views of the sea and nearby Glen Island Park and grounds from the windows! Congrats to Jennifer and Michael..wishing you every happiness! :)

Our gorgeous cellist (I call her "E") taken on 10/26/13 at Villa Barone Hilltop Manor in Mahopac NY. Although their was a chill in the air, the warmth and love felt everywhere at this wedding would have been sufficient for a massive bonfire..such nice people to work for and perform for!!! Congratulations to Jacky and Tim and we all wish you much happiness in love and in life always!

I snuck a picture of our beautiful bride after her church ceremony held in Bayonne NJ held at St. Henry Church in March. Congrats!!

The cellist with me took this photo after the ceremony of Chrissy and Trevor ohn 7/19/13 in the garden at East Wind Caterers

wishing you both another 25 years + of love and happiness! It was a great pleasure for me to play my violin at your wonderful party and celebration on July 14th at Jeffrey's of Westfield. All the best always! 
 
Tip/suggstion: If you are planning a garden wedding please observe any contractual information from your string team about performing in rain, drizzle or misting. Unfortunately at one venue (The Bourne Mansion) there was a mishap with a situation where we were expected to perform in rain, precipitation and etc and it was quite clear on our contract with the bride that this was not going to be possible. the Banquet manager who told me (and I quote) "I am all about the bride". We are too and our goal is to provide complete satisfaction and happiness in their music to each one of our most highly valued bride's, and groom's and client's and to be sure 100% that they are enchanted with our music making and professionalism. Unfortunately, string instruments, just the same as a fine piece of wood, are unable to endure any moisture or water falling upon them, as it is damaging to the delicate instruments, the varnish and more. Therefore if your string section is not playing because a Manager insisted that they remain on a balcony which is not protected from the elements on a windy day where the rain and precipitation are being blown into the area where we were expected to play, and the rain is blowing precipitation right onto our highly valuable instruments....this is not a situation that our instruments can sustain without causing permanent damage to the instrument(s).  It was in our agreement with our June 14th  Bourne Mansion bride specifiying clearly what outdoor weather situations we can and cannot perform in ...in terms of the weather!  Perhaps our June 14th bride had never read our contract thoroughly?
Just a suggestion, however please be understanding as someone's violin, or cello, which is the tool of his/her trade and although the last thing in the world we wish to do is to put a damper on your special day by the same token we simply cannot perform in any rain, precipitation, drizzle, misting or other element in which moisture is present.
 

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Spring Discount on a Beautiful Solo Violinist

Solo Violin Spring Special 2013. Our violinists are polished, professional and will project their sound beautifully in any space! Don't miss this great deal, check with us for your special discount!

Sunday, May 5, 2013

SPRING WEDDING CEREMONY AT THE ALDIE MANSION IN DOYLESTOWN PA

         PHOTO OF RACHEL (THE BRIDE) AND PAUL (THE GROOM) AT THE CHUPPAH. PHOTO TAKEN FROM THE BACK OF THE CEREMONY, BY ME (THEIR WEDDING CEREMONY VIOLINIST)

  It was a beautiful and picture perfect Spring Day on 5/4/13. The Duo of Violin and Cello which we provided for the ceremony began early for the seating of guests. It was such a lovely day that the guests came outdors early to enjoy the pictoresque garden area of "Aldie Mansion".  The blooms of the trees and in all the flowering shrubs in shades of light green, pink, purple and white were a sweet backdrop to the ceremony.
     The Bridesmaids wore an elegant shade of fuschia and the 2 ringbearers arrived in style in a mini go cart!
    Our Duo of Violin and Cello performed music in a location just behind the guests and  close to the aisle. Many people smiled at us as they walked by!   Their having live and elegant music to greet them as they entered the beautiful garden (I am sure) made them feel like royality, and the enjoyment they felt as a result both of the beautiful day and the serenading duo were apparant.
   We performed an eclectic mix of elegant and soft romantic for the guests including "Minuet in G', Beethoven, "Simple Gifts", "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera, "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing", Aerosmith, "Sleeping Beauty Waltz", Tchaikowsky, several short recognizable duos by JS Bach, "Come What May" from Moulin Rouge and "Con te Partiro" by Sartori....all for the seating and arrival of the guests.
  For the Bridal Party we performed a continuos mix of "Canon in D", Pachelbel and "Air" from Watermusic by GF Handel. For the Bride's Processional we performed http://www.capriccioensemble.com/sample.html (click to hear a short sweet sample via this link/page) "She's Got a Way" by Billy Joel. The Recessional was a cute upbeat song titled "Ho Hey" by the Lumineers. We were joined by the DJ for the song at one particular moment in the song as the lyrics have sentimental value to the bride and groom and we played along! The Postlude/Exit selection we performed for the guests as they exited was "Bittersweet Symphony" by the Verve/Rolling Stones.   We left the Aldie Mansion just as the sun was going down and headed back to our homes in New York City/Manhattan and Astoria respectively!  It was a lovely day and we wish them all of the very best always! Congrats to Rachel and Paul!


THE BRIDESMAIDS WORE A STUNNING SHADE OF BRIGHT PINK/FUSCHIA!


PIC OF VIOLINIST ( ME) WITH BRIDE AND GROOM AND CHUPPAH IN THE BACKGROUND, TAKEN DURING THE CEREMONY


CELLIST WITH MANSION IN THE BACKGROUND!

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Choosing the Best Ceremony or Event Musicians

The article below was written by Natalie Kriegler, Artistic Director expressly for www.westchesterweddings.com and is also featured on www.wedalert.com

Wedding Ceremony Music: Selecting Ceremony Musicians


On your most special day, your wedding ceremony music, at it’s very best, will enhance your cherished moments and help to create beautiful memories. Your families and wedding guests will compliment you on the music if it was beautifully and exquisitely performed. Memories of your wedding day will be greatly enhanced because of an exceptional quality performance by your solo violinist, string quartet or harpist. If your wedding is being video graphed, your wedding ceremony music needs to be of the highest quality.

Why Should You Hire Professionals for Your Wedding Ceremony Music


Articles in some recent wedding magazines have extolled the virtues of booking student performers for wedding ceremony music as cost-efficient. I would like to caution anyone planning a wedding against heeding this advise, for the following reasons:

  1. Inexperienced students or semi-professional performers generally do not offer a contract for their services.
  2. They are unlikely to have references to verify their reliability or punctuality.
  3. They are not familiar with cues and when to stop playing.
  4. They are not experienced wedding ceremony musicians - your wedding may be a learning ground for them.

What to Ask a Wedding Ceremony Music Professional


For each ensemble you are interviewing, you should ask the following of their music director, music office or representative:

  1. Request a CD or tape of their music.
  2. Ask for printed references from former brides or accredited entertainment industry professional agencies. You may also ask to see programs of or critical reviews from live concerts or a professional resume. These items will help to verify their professionalism and experience at past weddings, events or performances.
  3. Inquire as to whether they may be performing somewhere where you can hear and meet them in person.
  4. If it is a high quality ensemble which has captured your interest and their fee is a bit of a stretch for your budget, ask them of they are offering any current discounts or promotions. If they are not, you may consider reserving 1 or 2 musicians less than you had planned to have originally. If they are experienced and you like their sound this will be well worthwhile!
  5. Try to get a feeling or “vibe” from their representative as to how they will treat you and all of your questions and concerns. Your impression of someone’s willingness to work with you is a very important factor. If you prefer to meet with all of your wedding vendors, be sure to ask if this is possible before the wedding.
  6. Inquire about their policy on contracts, deposits and overtime fees. Find out how “locked-into” their services you will be upon a mutually signed agreement. What happens if a musician has to be replaced at the last minute due to illness? If the ensemble you are interested in hesitates when you inquire about these particular concerns, I advise you to move on. However, if you are obtaining ceremony musicians through a band or a reputable music office, whom you already trust, then knowing exactly who will be performing your wedding ceremony music need not be an issue.

By Natalie Kriegler, Music Director, The Capriccio Ensemble