I don’t “work” – I just fiddle around!
Over the years, I have had many people inquire what it is that I do for a living. When I answer that I am a full-time professional musician, the next question is, “but do you have a ‘real’ job?” and the simple answer is YES!
And here’s why…
A music education graduate of Western Michigan University and Arizona State University, Jennifer Silk has been delighting audiences as a full-time professional freelance musician for over 25 years. Members of her audience have included Hollywood celebrities, political dignitaries and even the Chicago Cubs season opener! When the opportunity to move to Arlington Heights came up twenty years ago, she teamed with her mentor and strolling violinist, Franz Benteler. “Wherever I play,” says Silk, “people always tell me of how much it meant to them to hear Franz play ‘Edelweiss’ or ‘Fascination’. My wish is to follow in his footsteps and continue to provide people enjoyable memories of being serenaded.” When Mr. Benteler passed away in March 2010, Silk was given the great honor of conducting his 20- piece Royal Strings orchestra at his funeral mass.
Fifteen years ago, when the Women’s Clubs of Illinois and Northern Indiana were auditioning for entertainment acts, Silk was asked to provide music during their luncheon. When the day was over, the telephone began ringing off the hook for her to provide a “program” for upcoming club meetings. “Well, I usually stroll during lunch and take requests,” said Silk, “and I do a musical serenade called Violin-A-Gram for birthdays and anniversaries, but I’ll see what I can come up with.”
What Silk came up with was a musical potpourri of her most popular requests and true stories about her career, performing for famous people, places, and events. To top it off, she portrays different musical styles with an assortment of quick change outfits, inspires everyone with an introduction to the viola and tells jokes that would have made former Waukegan resident Jack Benny proud!
The success of the show has many variations on a theme: In addition to her one woman show, she created a music education program from Bach to rock called Rock-n-Bach – a string trio with a symphony of sound! There is also her interactive holiday program, “’It’s a Wonderful Life’ in the 12 Days of a Strolling Violinist”; “Sings and Strings” – a classical music appreciation program featuring Silk on violin and viola with award winning opera singer and cellist Wendy Cotton; and when adding pianist and vocalist Bev Tipps, the trio has a “scary ghoul time” as the very popular “Dead Composers Society Orchestra”.
Besides performing Violin-A-Grams for special occasions and entertaining for different service clubs, Silk has performed over 5,000 weddings and events, recorded numerous TV and radio commercials, teaches privately, and is a violist in the professional orchestra, the New Philharmonic.
♫For more information, contact Jennifer Silk @ 224.856.1144♫