Vail Interfaith Chapel

This weekend we once again had an opportunity to play for a wedding at the Vail Interfaith Chapel.



When we arrived, a religious service was still underway and so the wedding was a bit delayed. Here are some of the flowers outside the chapel and some of the wedding party as they wait for the service to end.

(Photograph taken August 15, 2009 at 6:15 pm)

As we initially planned the music for this wedding, it became apparent that our clients wanted to use both classical and contemporary music. While there was some initial concern regarding the transition between the two genres, the pieces we used led into each other and transitioned very nicely.

Our prelude consisted of The Beatles' Yesterday, Ivers' Bygone Days, Cohen's Hallelujah, Webber's All I Ask of You, Presley's Can't Help Falling in Love, and Denver's Annie's Song.

For the processional, the family members entered to Bach's Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, the bridal party to Pachebel's Canon, and the bride to Wagner's traditional Wedding March . Finally Bach's Arioso was played for the lighting of the unity candle.

As the ceremony ended, we transitioned back to the contemporary genre as the couple exited the chapel to VivaLaVida by Coldplay, followed by Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles, Just Like Heaven by the Cure, Ungar's Ashokan Farewell by Ungar, and finally Enya's Only Time .

The planning and coordination of this wedding was done by a local business, Sassy Events, and they truly did an amazing job putting the chapel together in such a brief period of time.

It was an honor to play for such a beautiful wedding ~ Congratulations!

The Sonnenalp in Vail

Today we played for a wedding at the Sonnenalp in Vail. As can be seen in the picture, one of the (many) great things about this venue, is its riverside location. While breezes from the river refresh, the mature trees offer great shade for wedding guests.

Today's music was definitely different as instead of solely strings, our ensemble was actually a cello & flute duo. The flautist played the first part and the cellist played the bass part, as well as some of the first parts, second parts, and third parts. It was definitely a new twist.

The prelude included some of our standard pieces - Handel's 'Water Music', as well as 'Simple Gifts', 'Ballet' by Praetorius, and 'Maid of Mourne'. Just prior to the ceremony's commencement, we played a lilting traditional Irish melody - 'Be Thou My Vision'. As the processional began, the family members entered to 'Sheep May Safely Graze', the attendants to 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring', and the bride to Pachebel's 'Canon'.
Following the exchange of vows, the couple walked down the aisle to 'Trumpet Voluntary', followed by Telemann's 'Presto', and Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy'.

We then moved inside to the library where drinks were served and the guests relaxed and chatted while pictures were taken. There, we played several pieces by various artists, originally written as flute duets which we enjoyed trading the first and second parts back and forth. In addition to our classical pieces, we threw 'When You Wish Upon A Star', 'My Favorite Things', 'Unchained Melody', 'La Vie En Rose', 'My Romance', 'When I Fall in Love', and a tango titled 'La Paloma' into the mix.

As a courtesy to those planning future weddings, this photograph was taken at approximately 3:30 p.m. on August 8, 2009.

Vail's Memorial Park

As musicians, many of our performances involve the celebration of life's events. And while we play for many weddings - the beginning of a couple's life together, we also have opportunities to participate in memorial services to celebrate a life well lived.

Today we played for the memorial service of a long time Vail resident at the Vail Memorial Park. Against the mountain with the wildflowers, flagstone paths, and river gurgling by, nature too seemed to celebrate the life of this amazing woman.




It was an honor to be asked to share our music with those who came to celebrate the life of their loved one and pay their respects. It was especially an honor to play in such a beautiful venue. While our music was strictly classical, it seemed to bounce off of the rocks and cascade along with the water, joining the birds and the wind in nature's soothing lullaby.

Beaver Creek Wedding

 

This past weekend we had another great wedding at the Beaver Creek Chapel. It seems like the chapel is always a gorgeous wedding venue, no matter the season.

As we walked into the chapel, the back doors which lead to a small deck were open and a light breeze blew through, scenting the room with aromas of the nearby creek, pines, and mountains.

Matching the beauty and the mountain ambiance, we started out our prelude with a less known piece titled 'Bygone Days', followed by a Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah'. We then slid into a more classical stream with Corelli, Bach, Beethoven, Vivaldi, and Haydn pieces.

As the processionals began, we played 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring' as the parents and honored guests entered, followed by Pachebel's 'Canon' as the attendants entered. The bride followed, entering to Wagner's traditional 'Bridal March'.

As the unity candle was lit, we quietly played a selection from Bach's 'Arioso'. Finally, as this beautiful ceremony ended and the couple was pronounced man and wife for the first time, we played 'King William's March' by Clarke, followed by 'Trumpet Voluntary' - also by Clarke.
As the couple and their guests exited to the steps where bubbles were blown over them, we finished with Handel's 'La Rejouissance' and 'Hornpipe'.