On Imogen Heap's most recent album, Ellipse, she included instrumental versions of all of her songs. I absolutely adore the modern feel of her music. I think that it could be a cool alternative to classical music if you are that type of couple. Check it out.
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Monday, January 24, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Live Music on a Budget
The most classy touch on any wedding ceremony is live music, specifically having a quartet of musicians such as a brass or string quartet. It immediately sets the mood.
A friend of mine was recently married in the Lincoln Train Station. She seemed to have kept the costs down on everything. So I was surprised to see the string quartet at her ceremony. The one thing that I did notice about this string quartet is that all of the members were fairly young. This was her secret.
There are lots of talented, well-practiced musicians right in your hometown. They practice every day because they do it at school. That's right, I'm talking about high school students. My friend was able to book the students for $200 for the whole group (dirt cheap pretty much). And to a high school student, the extra $50 is worth it for them.
Now you can't just pick any students, obviously. The best place place to start is the Lincoln Youth Symphony. This is a group of the most talented young people in Lincoln, so you should get your money's worth with them. These kids are serious about music and usually jump at the opportunity to get more experience.
You can also go through local high schools. Attend an Orchestral concert and save a program to find out which students are soloists and first chair. Ask the director for those students by name.
Before calling the professor, set your price and exact expectations. Have your music picked out. If you're using a special song (like Jon Schmidt's song mentioned in a previous blog post), have the music ready so the group knows what is expected. Once the group agrees, ask them to audition for you and put together an agreement with them with the songs, dates and times specified.
Also consider Select Groups at high schools and colleges. Choral and Instrumental groups sometimes offer performance services. One group to consider is Lincoln Christian's select singing group "Image." These groups often need to raise money for trips and such. They will often allow you to choose a donation amount.
My last piece of advice is to take the time to hear the groups and make sure you are satisfied what you will be paying for.
A friend of mine was recently married in the Lincoln Train Station. She seemed to have kept the costs down on everything. So I was surprised to see the string quartet at her ceremony. The one thing that I did notice about this string quartet is that all of the members were fairly young. This was her secret.
There are lots of talented, well-practiced musicians right in your hometown. They practice every day because they do it at school. That's right, I'm talking about high school students. My friend was able to book the students for $200 for the whole group (dirt cheap pretty much). And to a high school student, the extra $50 is worth it for them.
Now you can't just pick any students, obviously. The best place place to start is the Lincoln Youth Symphony. This is a group of the most talented young people in Lincoln, so you should get your money's worth with them. These kids are serious about music and usually jump at the opportunity to get more experience.
You can also go through local high schools. Attend an Orchestral concert and save a program to find out which students are soloists and first chair. Ask the director for those students by name.
Before calling the professor, set your price and exact expectations. Have your music picked out. If you're using a special song (like Jon Schmidt's song mentioned in a previous blog post), have the music ready so the group knows what is expected. Once the group agrees, ask them to audition for you and put together an agreement with them with the songs, dates and times specified.
Also consider Select Groups at high schools and colleges. Choral and Instrumental groups sometimes offer performance services. One group to consider is Lincoln Christian's select singing group "Image." These groups often need to raise money for trips and such. They will often allow you to choose a donation amount.
My last piece of advice is to take the time to hear the groups and make sure you are satisfied what you will be paying for.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Death to Pachelbel's Canon
Showing your personality in your wedding ceremony and reception is important to many brides. It's your day and you want that to show through. One way that many people neglect to show their personality is in their music choices from the processional to the final dance.
The number of brides who use Pachelbel's Canon is astronomical and annoying. It's turned into being as passe as the wedding march. I understand the want for something traditional on strings or played on the piano, but really. Often times you can find string quartet arrangements of pop songs. One of my favorites is a string quartet version of Maroon 5's "Sunday Morning." Taking a song that's special to you and your groom can add a lot of character to your wedding. In a later blog, I'll talk about ways of getting inexpensive string and brass quartets for you wedding. If you don't have that in your budget, there is nothing wrong with using recorded music. My brother and his wife used a really cool instrumental version of an Arcade Fire song. A really fun instrumental arrangement of two pop songs is by Jon Schmidt (the iTunes version doesn't have the annoying laugh at the beginning like this video, I promise).
You can do lots of things with your processional as you see. If you are all right with using a song with words, you can even opt for that. "Sweet Disposition" by Temper Trap is a great option. Find something that is meaningful to you and go with it. It's your day.
You have a lot of options with recessional music. While the processional is a little more formal, the recessional marks the beginning of a celebration. Really think outside of the box on this one. I've seen brides use "At Last" which has a fun beginning to jump right into. One song I have really been into lately is by Passion Pit and it's called "Little Secrets." CueMotion used it in a wedding video they created this summer, which is fabulous by the way (watch below).
My number one tip for picking your first dance is to avoid "Top 100 First Dance Songs" lists at all cost. This is not A first dance, it's YOUR first dance. Pick something that is special to YOU. Just because Train came out with a song called "Marry Me" doesn't mean it's perfect for your first dance. What's your song? Is it by the Red Hot Chili Peppers? Then use it! What song makes you think of him whenever you hear it? Those are the perfect picks for your first dance, not what everyone else is doing.
I cannot stress this enough. This is YOUR wedding. You don't have to pick songs that are perfect for a wedding. Pick songs that are perfect for you and your groom's wedding. Make the day truly yours by owning each aspect of it. Add meaning by incorporating your personality and taste.
The number of brides who use Pachelbel's Canon is astronomical and annoying. It's turned into being as passe as the wedding march. I understand the want for something traditional on strings or played on the piano, but really. Often times you can find string quartet arrangements of pop songs. One of my favorites is a string quartet version of Maroon 5's "Sunday Morning." Taking a song that's special to you and your groom can add a lot of character to your wedding. In a later blog, I'll talk about ways of getting inexpensive string and brass quartets for you wedding. If you don't have that in your budget, there is nothing wrong with using recorded music. My brother and his wife used a really cool instrumental version of an Arcade Fire song. A really fun instrumental arrangement of two pop songs is by Jon Schmidt (the iTunes version doesn't have the annoying laugh at the beginning like this video, I promise).
You can do lots of things with your processional as you see. If you are all right with using a song with words, you can even opt for that. "Sweet Disposition" by Temper Trap is a great option. Find something that is meaningful to you and go with it. It's your day.
You have a lot of options with recessional music. While the processional is a little more formal, the recessional marks the beginning of a celebration. Really think outside of the box on this one. I've seen brides use "At Last" which has a fun beginning to jump right into. One song I have really been into lately is by Passion Pit and it's called "Little Secrets." CueMotion used it in a wedding video they created this summer, which is fabulous by the way (watch below).
James & LeDawna from CueMotion Studios on Vimeo.
My number one tip for picking your first dance is to avoid "Top 100 First Dance Songs" lists at all cost. This is not A first dance, it's YOUR first dance. Pick something that is special to YOU. Just because Train came out with a song called "Marry Me" doesn't mean it's perfect for your first dance. What's your song? Is it by the Red Hot Chili Peppers? Then use it! What song makes you think of him whenever you hear it? Those are the perfect picks for your first dance, not what everyone else is doing.
I cannot stress this enough. This is YOUR wedding. You don't have to pick songs that are perfect for a wedding. Pick songs that are perfect for you and your groom's wedding. Make the day truly yours by owning each aspect of it. Add meaning by incorporating your personality and taste.
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