July 24, 2010 The Vail Wedding Deck

Today we had the pleasure of performing for a wedding on top of Vail Mountain.

 

As I've mentioned previously, weather in Vail in the summertime can be very unpredictable. As I drove to Vail, the skies above the mountaintop looked fairly threatening, and I wasn't sure if we'd have to go to plan 'B' or not. By the time I got to the gondola to begin my mountain ascent - things had really cleared up and I asked myself what I'd even been worried about.

We got set up and were so grateful for the pop-up tent that had been provided for us as it was becoming rather hot.

Our prelude music selections carried a contemporary flair and included: Ivers' 'Bygone Days', Ungar's 'Ashokan Farewell', 'Edelweiss', Webber's 'All I Ask Of You', and Handel's 'Air', and 'Andante' from the Water Music.

Once the family members came down the path, we began the processional music. We played Denver's 'Annie's Song' as the groom and officiant took their places, followed by Bach's 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring' for the flower girl, and finally, Clarke's 'Trumpet Voluntary' as the bride came over the knoll and down to the wedding deck.

The clouds moved back in and as the ceremony began, the wind picked up. There's always something beautiful about a veil blowing in the wind.

 

As the ceremony ended, the newly married couple headed back up the path together to Handel's 'Allegro' from the Water Music. As photos were taken and guests mingled, we played Elvis' 'Can’t help falling in love', 'Here Comes the Sun' and 'Good Day Sunshine', by the Beatles. Because the wind continued to pick up, we then packed up and headed back down the mountain.




Here's a photo at the base of Lionshead.

 

July 17, 2010 The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

If the weather cooperates, this is one of my favorite wedding venues. Even though we have to park up top and haul all of our equipment, the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens are always absolutely breathtaking. The mountain backdrop against all of the flowers and gurgling fountains and light breezes add a magical quality to everything - especially a wedding.

Todays weather was perfect, and the wedding we played for was beautiful.

Here's a view from the top of the rock steps directly above the wedding area in the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.

We started out our prelude with Bach's "Sheep May Safely Graze" and "Arioso", and then went to "Andante" and "Allegro" from Handel's Water Music, followed Mozart's "Menuetto" from the Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Handel's "Largo" from Xerxes.

Just prior to the ceremony, we performed an Elvis cover tune of "Can't Help Falling in Love with You", and the processional began.

As the family members and wedding party entered, we played Handel's "Air" from the Water Music, and then the bride'smaids entered to Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", followed by the bride to Pachebel's "Canon".

We played Schubert's "Ave Maria" for the unity candle, and "Con te Partiro" (Time to Say Goodbye) for the recessional. As a request from the bride, we ended with "Just Like Heaven" by the Cure.

July 16, 2010 The Westin Riverfront

This afternoon we played for a wedding at The Westin Riverfront in Avon, Colorado.
My favorite thing about this venue is the gorgeous backdrop of Beaver Creek mountain and the river. The Westin's staff is also always phenomenal to work with.

I have to say, lately, I've been seeing a lot of bridesmaids with "balls" of flowers. They can be worn almost like a bracelet and are so very cool looking. A couple of weeks ago we saw them with hot pink peonies, and today, they used red roses and were incredible.

Enough with the flowers and on to the music.
Today's wedding was a mix of classical and contemporary music and we pulled out several pieces that we really enjoy, but haven't played for a while.
We started out with a beautiful piece we've been using quite a bit lately. Bygone Day's by Ivers and Keane. It's got a Irish or Celtic lilt that really helps set the mood. We then played Vivaldi's "Winter", Webber's "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera, John Denver's "Annie's Song", Delibe's "Flower Duet", Handel's "Entrance of the Queen of Sheba," Puccini's "O Mio Babbino Caro", Ungar's "Ashokan Farewell", and finally Handel's "Largo".

The bridal party entered to Bach's "Arioso", a piece which blends very nicely into wedding favorite Pachebel's "Canon".

As the ceremony ended, the bridal party exited to The Beatle's "Here Comes The Sun", followed by Coldplay's "Viva La Vida", Cohen/Buckley's "Hallelujah", and Elvis' "Can't Help Falling In Love".

Beaver Creek Chapel July 10, 2010

We played for a wedding this evening at the Beaver Creek Chapel.
Honestly, we were so thrilled it was indoors. We've been having rain every afternoon for the month of July and nothing stresses us out more than worrying about what the weather will be like.

 

The wedding was beautiful and Molly, the bride was very involved with the musical selections.

Molly contacted us over a year ago to check our availability for today. When she booked us, she explained that she really wanted to walk down the aisle to Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring". I didn't think it would be a big issue and I began looking.

I learned however that the piece she wanted was from a ballet with 14 or so movements. Molly sent us a recording that she loved and I realized it was the "Simple Gifts" melody which wound through the music.

Long story short, we found several versions of Simple Gifts, recorded them and sent them for her to hear. Unfortunately, they fell short of the mark. Finally, we contacted a fellow musician who does custom arrangements, and she was able to put together an amazing arrangement for us!

As such, tonight we started our prelude with Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" playing the Serenade, Romanza, and Menuetto. From there we went into Vivaldi's "Winter" from the Four Seasons, and just as we were finishing Handel's "Largo", they told us they were ready to start the processional.

Because of the importance of this piece to Molly, everyone entered to "Appalachian Spring/Simple Gifts". It was beautiful and memorable.

As the ceremony ended, we played Handel's "Entrance of the Queen of Sheba" as the recessional and as the guests exited.