August 24, 2013

Flute, Violin and Cello Trio, Wedding Ceremony Music at Gabriel’s Northern Italian Restaurant in Sedalia

August 24, 2013/ Christen Stephens

Flute and String Trio, Wedding Ceremony Music at Gabriel’s Northern Italian Restaurant in Sedalia

A short while ago, I drove south of Denver to play music for a wedding ceremony and reception in the small town of Sedalia, the home of Gabriel's Northern Italian Restaurant. Gabriel's is a darling Victorian restaurant with a wraparound porch, gardens, and a large stone patio perfectly sized for events and wedding ceremonies. This wedding was to be held in the garden area accompanied by our flute, violin, and cello trio. This was a beautiful outdoor wedding and everyone enjoyed the sunny day that wasn't too hot. This wedding, as with all outdoor weddings, offered a few complications. As we played the prelude music, I had a run-in with a horsefly who kept giving me painful bites on my legs. I knew the music had to go on and I kept playing as smoothly as I could until he finally got bored with me right around the time the ceremony began. However, just as the minister asked the couple to repeat their vows, we heard a very loud, long whistle and a train went roaring by, right behind the guests, and for several moments, it was impossible to hear anything. The minister made a few false starts which were interrupted by more whistles but the couple took it all in stride, and after a good-natured laugh and a little bit of waiting, the ceremony went on and they were married. We then played a lively recessional and transitioned into more upbeat classical music during the outdoor reception.

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Prelude music ~ selections from Telemann, Vivaldi, and Mozart Wedding Party and Bridal Processional ~ Canon in D (Pachelbel) Recessional ~ Allegro from Spring from the Four Seasons (Vivaldi)

Selected Reception Music:
Selections from Water Music (Handel), Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart), Minuet (Beethoven), Selections from String Quartet in F major (Haydn)

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Gabriel's Northern Italian Restaurant
Photographer: Bob Sullivan
Wedding Ceremony Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute Trio (flute, viola, cello)

July 30, 2013

Flute and Violin Duo, Wedding Ceremony Music in Breckenridge

July 30, 2013/ Christen Stephens

It's hard to surpass a Colorado mountain wedding in July, and this gorgeous Breckenridge wedding ceremony was no exception. The ceremony was held outdoors at a private home with a sweeping view of the mountains and Breckenridge Golf Course. With only about 8 guests, this was the most intimate wedding I have played for, and among the sweetest. The festivities began as the guests enjoyed appetizers while our flute and violin duo set the mood with elegant classical music. Then the guests gathered around the alter for the wedding ceremony. During the ceremony, friends and family had an opportunity to speak to the bride and groom, and they laughed and cried as words of encouragement and advice mixed with many fond and humorous memories were passed around. Then the daughter of the groom sang "Someone Like You" by Van Morrison, a song that was meaningful to the couple, and I accompanied on the flute. Afterwards, everyone gathered inside to congratulate the bride and groom, visit, and enjoy a special dinner.

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Selected Prelude Music ~ Gavotte (Gossec), Rondeau (Mouret), Presto from Sonatina in F major (Telemann), Romanza from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart), selected Menuets (Devienne), St. Anthony Chorale (Brahms), La Rejouissance (Handel), March in D major (Bach)

Bridal Processional ~ Canon in D (Pachelbel)
Special Song (daughter of groom, voice with me on flute) ~ Someone Like You (Van Morrison)
Recessional ~ Danza Pastorale from Spring (Vivaldi)

Wedding Vendors:
Photographer: Virginia Stiles
Musicians: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Violin Duo

April 22, 2013

Solo Flute, Wedding Ceremony Music at Evans Memorial Chapel

April 22, 2013/ Christen Stephens

I had such a great time playing solo flute music for Irshana and Doug's wedding ceremony this past weekend. Because Irshana is a local bride, we were able to have our music consultation in person, and I quickly saw that Irshana is a lovely person, both inside and out. Meeting in person not only made selecting music easier but it made my flute music on Irshana's wedding day more meaningful to both of us. Irshana made a special request that I play "Amazed" by Lonestar, and other than that, she gave me a lot of musical freedom, asking me to showcase my wide range of musical styles. I ended up playing a broad selection of music including popular, Irish, film, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic. I think I kept the guests on their toes! On the day of the wedding ceremony it was cool, cloudy, and raining intermittently, but we were snug inside the beautiful Evans Memorial Chapel on the University of Denver campus. I had never played at the chapel before, and I believe this small chapel was the most live, echoing venue I've ever played a wedding ceremony in before. Musicians will relate to the fact that this was a very enjoyable experience for me! Because there were only 15 guests, I felt like I was giving a casual private salon concert and I got to know some of the guests as we bantered back and forth before the ceremony.

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Selected Prelude Music ~ The Ludlows from Legends of the Fall, Amazed (Lonestar), The Prayer (Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli), Sheebeg and Sheemore (Irish), Minuet from Eight Minuets and Trios (Mozart), Berceuse from the Dolly Suite (Gabriel Faure), Andante from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart), Traumerei (Robert Schumann), Chorale from Cantata No. 140 (JS Bach)

Bridal Processional ~ Salut d'Amour (Edward Elgar)
Signing of the Marriage Certificate ~ Laudate Dominum (Mozart)
Recessional ~ Danza Pastorale from Spring (Vivaldi)

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Evans Memorial Chapel
Ceremony Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Solo Flute

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