Blog Archives - Page 12 of 19

Wedding Violinist Waterloo Park: Nicole and Jay

Kitchener-Waterloo wedding ceremony violinist

Post author:duodamore
Post published:November 11, 2015
Post category:Blog Kitchener-Waterloo Wedding Music String quartet wedding ensembles St. Jacobs ON Wedding Planning Advice

Fall wedding ceremonies are fantastic, and Maria and James wedding was no exception. The ceremony was held indoors at the Abraham Erb Grist Mill, right near Waterloo Park. We have performed here for over 10 years, and even though the venue is right in the heart of Uptown Waterloo, it always feels like you are in the country. The beautiful rich colours also make it a wonderful time for outdoor photos, as seen from the beautiful images by Hillier Photography.

Martha and James did a great job of choosing songs. It always amazes me when clients send me their music selections and I would not change a thing, and this was the case with the well-chosen selections. As the venue was small, the clients chose a solo violin player for the ceremony, which was a nice touch.

The processional was the much-loved classic, Pachelbel Canon, and this was used for the wedding party and the bride. The signing music was Bach Jesu Joy, and we often recommend this for the signing portion of the ceremony, as it is just the right length, and it helps that this has more of an upbeat feel to it, which looks forward to the recessional, which is typically faster in tempo. As the couple exited as husband and wife, Mouret Rondeau was performed, as this gave both a sense of excitement as well as a really nice classic feel to conclude the wedding ceremony. Congratulations!

Processional: Pachelbel Canon in D

Signing: Bach Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring

Recessional: Mouret Rondeau

Wedding ceremony music Waterloo/Kitchener: Duo d’Amore-solos, violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets

Dueling Cellos at Burdock Toronto

Post author:duodamore
Post published:October 19, 2015
Post category:Blog Special Events

Toronto (and Duo d’Amore) cellists Amahl Arulanandam and Bryan Holt are presenting their own concert featuring works from composers such as Boccherini, Popper, Gliere and Coblentz, along with a few special surprises. If that’s not enough to entice you, they will be playing at a wonderful new gastropub called Burdock, at 1184 Bloor Street West, just west of Dufferin Station. Come enjoy some delicious food and tasty microbrew while listening to us rock out!

Doors will open at 7pm. Tickets can be purchased for $8 in advance show, and $10 at the door. If you happen to be a Facebook user,

clicking attend on the event page will help us get a better idea of numbers to expect!

Event Page

https://www.facebook.com/events/1645397009070575/

Tickets
http://www.ticketfly.com/event/972137

Wedding Violinist Cellist Ensembles Waterloo: Amber + Ben

Post author:duodamore
Post published:July 13, 2015
Post category:Blog Kitchener-Waterloo Wedding Music Wedding Planning Advice Wedding String Quartet Kitchener Waterloo Wedding Violinist Kitchener Waterloo

Wedding Violinist Cellist Ensembles Waterloo: Amber + Ben wedding at St George's Banquet Hall, July 19, 2014. Award winning Pop and classical music.

Wedding Violinist Cellist Niagara: Kurtz Orchards

Post author:duodamore
Post published:April 29, 2015
Post category:Blog Niagara Wedding Ceremony Music violinist cellist Niagara wedding Wedding Cellist Niagara Wedding Planning Advice Wedding Quartet Niagara Wedding String Trio Niagara Wedding Violinist Niagara

Wedding Violinist Cellist Niagara: Kurtz Orchards. Nadine and Ryans’s wedding ceremony at Kurtz Orchard Farm Estate, July 12, 2015.

New for 2015-Duo d’Amore adds ukulele to instrument lineup

Post author:duodamore
Post published:April 20, 2015
Post category:Blog
Post comments:0 Comments

New for 2015-Duo d’Amore adds ukulele to instrument lineup

We are extremely excited to add the ukulele to our wedding and event music starting in the summer of 2015. As far as we know we are the first Canadian wedding and event ensemble to do this!The ukulele is super hot and trendy at the moment, and we love it as well. Why the ukulele? As a classical and pop string ensemble performing especially for wedding ceremonies, our clients are always on the search for something new and unexpected, and the ukulele is perfect, and also sounds great with either the violin or cello. We can really see the ukulele working extremely well at small to medium sized weddings. Can you picture for example a classical string ensemble performing the music of Bach for the wedding party and bridesmaids walk down the aisle, and then switching to ukulele and cello for a Hawaiian version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow--it would be so unexpected and give a completely different, fun exciting sound to a piece that we perform with the violin and cello.

As we are just starting to put together our ukulele and violin and cello music, let us know what songs you might like!

Niagara Falls Wedding String Quartet. Jessica + David’s wedding at Hernder Estates Winery,

Niagara Falls Wedding String Quartet

Post author:duodamore
Post published:April 12, 2015
Post category:Blog Niagara Wedding Ceremony Music
Post comments:0 Comments

This wedding ceremony was bright, summery and (aside from the gale force winds) absolutely gorgeous. We arrived quite early prior to the ceremony, as this was our first time at Hernder Estate Winery, located just outside of St Catharines. We found the wedding planner and had a quick chat, and began to setup our chairs, and as the ceremony venue was by the pond, we brought along our tent, and set that up as well. We had to improvise as even though the pegs were into the ground, the tent was in danger of blowing away (see the trees in the background by the very talented photographer Robyn Russell). We borrowed a few rocks from the pond to secure the tent and all was well. By the time we ere setup (about 10 minutes) the guests had not arrived yet, and it is always nice to be so prepared well in advance.

When the guests began to arrive we performed some upbeat pop songs, including hits by Elvis and the Beatles, to keep the mood light and fun. During this time, Sheldon Kofsky the officiant arrived and we received a cue from the planner that the bridesmaids’ processional was about to begin.

The mood shifted with the music selections to include the lovely open knit and fresh sounding music of Bach when the four bridesmaids and flower girl walked up the aisle, and took their places. At that point we paused for a few seconds, and began the famous Pachelbel’s Canon for the bride and her father’s walk. When they had reached the front of the aisle overlooking the pond and bridge at Hernder, we created a seamless and melodic ending, which was perfectly timed.

The next part of the ceremony where music happens is during the signing of the register, following the vows and kiss. For this section the mood was a little bit quieter, as we performed Bach’s Sleepers Awake, before the triumphant Mendelsohn’s Wedding March was heard as the couple were introduced as husband and wife for the first time.

Wedding Ceremony Music Selections

Bridesmaids Processional: Bach Air

Bride: Pachelbel Canon

Signing of the register: Bach: Sleepers Awake

Recessional: Mendelsohn Wedding March

Niagara Wedding Vendors

Brides Dress: Maggie Sottero

Bridesmaids Dresses: David Bridal Groom & Groomsmen Tuxes: Moores 

MUAH: Beyoutiful Brides 

Venues: Hilton Fallsview Hotel & Hernder Estate Winery

Minister: Sheldon Kofsky 

Musicians: Duo D’Amore 

Florist: BBBlooms Floral Studio 

Bakery: The Frosted Cupcake 

Photographer and photo credit: Robyn Russell

Linens: Gotcha Covered 

DJ: Alpha Audio Visual

Wedding ceremony music Niagara ON: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets

Wedding Violinist Cellist Ensembles Canmore

Post author:duodamore
Post published:March 13, 2015
Post category:Banff Weddings Blog Calgary Wedding Music cocktail music string quartet Special Events strings for weddings Calgary Wedding Ceremonies and Receptions Wedding Planning Advice Wedding String Quartet Ensemble Canmore AB

“I wanted to say thank you for playing at my wedding. It was absolutely beautiful and I loved having Metallica play walking down the aisle. Got a lot of comments. I didn’t have a chance to thank them after the ceremony so please do for me.” Raylene, bride

This ceremony was wonderful in a different sort of way, and that’s always exciting for us. The biggest difference between this ceremony and a lot of other wedding ceremonies that we perform at in Canmore or across Canada is that we performed Metallica's Nothing Else Matters in a church. That really does not happen too often so it was quite a fun experience for us, the guests and the bride and groom.

After the processional in the wedding, comes the vows, and just after the vows comes the next portion where music is typically performed: the signing of the register. From Metallica, what music was chosen for this: something else unexpected—the very traditional Bach-Gounod Ave Maria. This works perfect for the signing, as it is both long enough (as signings can last up to 8 minutes) and it is also more laid back. This laid back quality is just what is needed to contrast with the more upbeat recessional. Speaking of the recessional, this often takes place just seconds after the signing, as the officiant introduces the couple. For Raylene and Trevor’s recessional the violin and cello players performed Clarke’s Trumpet Voluntary, to end the beautiful ceremony at the Church of the Rockies with traditional and non-traditional elements.

Photo and Photo credit: www.Peakphotography.ca

Wedding ceremony musicians Canmore AB: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets

Star Wars Wedding String Quartet

Ok, I’m just going to come out and say it—I’m 34 and just watched Star Wars for the first time the other day. Of course, I loved it, and thought that it would be a great idea for a wedding. Others have thought that way to, and you can read about interesting wedding ceremonies here.

If you do a Google search for Star Wars Wedding, a lot of what comes up is about costumes, hair, and other theme related details. However, as you can imagine, with Duo d’Amore, it’s all about the music. While we have performed Star Wars music at wedding in the past (namely the Imperial March) it would be great to put together a whole wedding with John Williams’ amazing score from the films. The string section of the orchestra features prominently in the film, and any of our ensembles are perfect to convey the amazing compositions. Though there are many possibilities, I think this grouping would work particularly well:

Star Wars Wedding Program

Wedding Party Processional: Han Solo and Leia Love Theme, Empire strikes back

This theme is great to walk to as there is a slow but steady beat and it is quite lush. It is nice that the theme represents the love between the Han and Princess Leia, which is perfect for the bridesmaids and wedding party to walk to. It would make a great violin and cello duet.

Bride: Princess Leia’s Theme, Episode IV

This is the natural choice, and I would omit the introduction and start the processional head on with the main theme. Alternatively, it would be great to start this with the rebel fanfare, then lead into princess Leia’s theme. Either a duo, trio or string quartet could do this song justice.

Signing of the register: The Force Theme, Episode IV

While I originally thought the force theme would be a good option for the bridesmaids, It would actually suit the signing much better. This is quite a serious theme, a bit on the dark side (sorry about the pun) for the bridesmaids to walk down the aisle to, but perfect for the legal portion of the ceremony. This would sound great with the fullness of a string quartet

Recessional: Main Theme, Episode IV

To top it all off, the theme that everyone has been waiting for: the main theme from the film. This is the natural ending to a fun (and just a bit geeky) wedding! Again, the duo, trio and string quartet could really make this shine.

Wedding ceremony music: Duo d'Amore-violin and cello duos trios and quartets

Calgary Wedding Violinist Cellist: Denise and Jason

Post author:duodamore
Post published:March 2, 2015
Post category:Blog Calgary Wedding Cellist Calgary Wedding Music Calgary Wedding Violinist strings for weddings Calgary Wedding Ceremonies and Receptions wedding string quartet Calgary

June seems so far away, but not when you compare it to the person whose anniversary it is today-today is the 309^th anniversary of the death of Johann Pachelbel, the composer of the famous Canon, and lesser know gigue (or as we know it ‘jig’, a dance popular in the baroque). But this is getting far off the mark in terms of Denise and Jason’s wonderful catholic wedding ceremony at St Josephs’ Church in Calgary.

As the ceremony was catholic, we had the opportunity to perform some amazing and traditional wedding songs that work perfectly, and like Pachelbel Canon are well loved. Prior to the ceremony, we also performed a mixture of some soft and more upbeat classical music, before starting the music for the bridesmaids. As the first bridesmaid took a step and walked down the aisle, we performed Charpentier’s regal and almost march-like Prelude from TeDeum, an early hymn that is quite upbeat. This was followed by Pachelbel’s Canon for the bride. As this was a full mass, we also performed Bach’s Wachet Auf or Sleeper’s Awake for communion and followed that up with a perennial Bach favorite, Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring. As the priest pronounced them husband and wife our final piece of ceremony music performance was Handel’s glorious second hornpipe from the watermusik.

Ceremony music:

Bridesmaid processional: Charpentier prelude from TeDeum

Bride processional: Pachelbel canon in D

Communion: Bach Wachet auf (sleepers awake)

Signing: Bach Jesu Joy of mans desiring

Recessional: Handel hornpipe II from water music

Vendors:

Calgary wedding photographers, and photo credit – Christina & Nathan 

Venue – Calgary Italian Club 

Decor – Teal with Reflections Weddings

Wedding ceremony musicians Calgary: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets

Wedding Strings Niagara: Julia + Michael photo credit Robyn Russel

Wedding Strings Niagara: Julia + Michael

Post author:duodamore
Post published:February 23, 2015
Post category:Blog Niagara Wedding Band Niagara Wedding Ceremony Music Wedding Cellist Niagara Wedding Quartet Niagara Wedding Violinist Niagara

“Thank you for making such a special contribution to our day!” Julia, bride

June 7^th, was truly a beautiful day—the weather was wonderful and the perfect day for a wedding ceremony. The wedding was held at the escarpment site (complete with a lovely pond) at Cave Spring Vineyards, just a few kilometers from Inn on the Twenty in Jordan. This site is particularly wonderful, as unlike the other vineyard site, this one is elevated slightly, so guests have a wonderful view of the vines and lake Ontario that is spectacular. Another interesting thing about this site, and why we love it so much, is that it backs onto the escarpment, which acts almost like an amphitheater for the instruments, reflecting the beautiful sounds of the string instruments with surprising clarity.

Julia and I spoke about the music selections, and she had a great list already planned, which worked out very well. The only suggestion I offered is to have a second song chosen in case the signing went overtime. She chose Counting Crows: Accidentally in Love which was a nice combination with the recessional song of Here Comes the Sun. It was a great day and all the guests had a wonderful time. We were happy to be a part of it!

Ceremony music selections:

Processional - A Thousand Years (Christina Perri)

Signing - All You Need is Love (Beatles) and Accidentally in Love (counting Crows)

Recessional - Here Comes the Sun (Beatles)

Wedding Vendors: 

Bridal Gown – Becker’s Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses – David’s Bridal  

Tuxes – Saxon for Men  

MUAH – Christina at Niagara Mobile Hair 

Florist – The Watering Can 

Jeweler – Spence Diamonds  

Minister – Judy Kofsky  