by oldwp | Dec 1, 2010 | Uncategorized
The Jewel Tea Pavilion of Citizens Park in Barrington, Illinois will be the location for the Pepper Family Hospice Home and Center for Care Tree of Lights – A Remembrance Celebration on Sunday, December 5th, 2010 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. This special event allows those who have lost loved ones the chance to remember, honor and celebrate those who have been lights in their lives. Joining this year’s remembrance will be Chicago’s favorite strolling violinist, Jennifer Silk for a special musical program. A reflection ceremony will be followed by a fellowship gathering with refreshments. Silk will be performing “Let There Be Peace on Earth” as the candle-lighting ceremony begins outside. Bereavement counselors from Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois will be in attendance as well. For more information, please contact Mary Ann Green at (847) 381-5599.
The Pepper Family Hospice Home and Center for Care is an inpatient hospice unit providing care and support for patients and their families facing terminal illness as well as a care center for those seeking grief support, palliative care (pain and symptom management), and complementary therapies.
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 the past 20 years. Members of her audience have included Hollywood celebrities, political dignitaries and even the Chicago Cubs season opener! When the opportunity to move from California to Arlington Heights, 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’. My wish is to follow in his footsteps and continue providing people enjoyable memories of being serenaded.”
Having played professionally for many families grieving, Silk is no stranger to the angels that make up hospice care. On a more personal level, when Mr. Benteler passed away in March of this year, she played by his bedside his beloved “Edelweiss”. The family requested her leadership to plan and conduct his 20 piece Royal Strings Orchestra at his funeral mass. “They say that hearing is the last of our senses to leave us. Being in the hospice environment was so comforting that it took away the fear of losing someone so near and dear to me”. The experience prepared her when her own father suffered a massive stroke the following month. His hospice stay in Arizona convinced her that music truly is healing and that there are angels masquerading as hospice caregivers.
by oldwp | Nov 3, 2010 | Uncategorized
In anticipation of the upcoming holiday calendar, violinist Jennifer Silk is proud to announce her availability and repeat performances in Chicagoland‟s area retirement and hospice facilities. Her entertaining program, “The Day in the Life of a Strolling Violinist”, is suited for any occasion and may be customized for various events. Her entertaining personality and her musical abilities enhance open houses, themed dinners and special soirees. Jennifer has experienced firsthand the amazing effects music has on the patients and families in hospice care. It is with her personal touch that the healing power of music is given during this transitional time.
A music education graduate of Western Michigan University and Arizona State University, Silk has been delighting audiences as a full-time professional freelance musician for the past 20 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 over fifteen 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 providing people enjoyable memories of being serenaded. 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 special “program” for upcoming club meetings.
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, an introduction to the viola and jokes that would have made Jack Benny proud.
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 the lead violinist in the contemporary/society dance orchestra, The Roy Vombrack Orchestra.
by oldwp | Oct 27, 2010 | Uncategorized
Thanks for “tuning” in….
Thursday, October 28th strolling during the cocktail hour for the residents of Lincolnwood Place.
Friday, October 29th with the Stu Hirsh Orchestra at the Four Seasons Hotel
Saturday, October 30th for a beautiful Catholic mass in LaGrange
Sunday, October 31st – Happy Halloween (see my post on “Dead Composers Society Orchestra) – performing at the Chicago Theatre with guitar and ‘cello for a private event featuring Charlie Trotter and his passion for food.
by oldwp | Oct 25, 2010 | Uncategorized
For those who are searching for musical “magic” at your Halloween Party, here is the answer!
You’ve heard of the “Dead Poets Society” ?
Well, how about “The Dead Composers Society Orchestra” ?
A trio of misfit musicians- flute, violin and ‘cello to cast a “spell” of fun for everyone!
Here is a partial set-list of their most requested numbers – and yes, as Chicago’s favorite strolling violinist, I love to play the theme from Mel Brooks greatest movie of all time – “Young Frankenstein”!
– Danse Macabre
– Theme from the Twilight Zone
– Harry Potter movie music themes
– Funeral March for a Marionette
– Sorcerer’s Apprentice
– Night on Bald Mountain
– Halloween by Charles Ives, American composer
– Chopin’s Funeral March
– Phillip Glass’ theme to “The Illusionist”
This terrifying trio is the perfect addition to any Halloween event – from the Chicago Botanic Gardens “Fright Fest” to haunted house parties – even an afternoon public library concert!
Not scary enough? Then let me introduce to you The Dead Composers Society “Rockestra”! This gruesome group is scary good – saxophone, drums, guitar, bass !
A partial set-list…
I Put a Spell on You – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
The Green Manalishi – Fleetwood Mac
Don’t Fear the Reaper – Blue Oyster Cult
Frankenstein – Edgar Winter
Black Magic Woman – Santana
Led by popular Chicago bandleader, Roy “The Vampire” Vombrack, he will sink his teeth into these meaty melodies! The quartet is a valuable attraction for outdoor haunted walks, bonfires and ghost tours anywhere in the Chicagoland area!
by oldwp | Oct 19, 2010 | Uncategorized
I walked down the aisle to Jimi Hendrix's "May This Be Love" arranged by my new husband
Selecting the music for your wedding ceremony is one of the easiest and most enjoyable parts of the wedding planning process – next to the tasting, of course! For those who might not believe me, I would like to offer some helpful observations from having performed for over 5,000 events.
This is the easy part: Start with focusing on only 3 pieces of music to select – the processional for the bridal party, the bridal processional and the recessional. In musical terms, that is your “theme” and then come the “variations” -prelude/the seating of the families, the interlude/unity candle, the postlude as the guests leave and the 5-6 pieces of pre-ceremony music.
Even 3 songs can seem overwhelming so let’s narrow it down to only one. I start every wedding music consultation with “what would you like to walk down the aisle to?” There are numerous scientific studies that prove that when we are excited, the first thing that happens is we lose our sense of hearing. Just knowing that bit of information can help you! How? By selecting a more familiar piece of music, everyone involved knows what their cue is.
Stay away from the 3 P’s – Perfection, Procrastination and Paralysis – When I want something perfect and I don’t know how to make it that way, I will procrastinate or put off making a decision for fear of it being the wrong one. Then I am paralyzed with not knowing what to do next so then I don’t want to do anything. Overloading your ipod with tons of music of different wedding music collections and then scheduling and cancelling your music consultation would indicate that you might know what I am referring to and it’s okay.
Your music consultation ideally is to be scheduled with your wedding musician or agent 2-4 weeks before the ceremony. I suggest having a telephone consultation that lasts between 20 -30 minutes. Most of that time is spent getting to know about the two of you and how the music will highlight your beautiful love story. This is the fun part!
What should you do now? Why take a deep breath, smile and enjoy this wonderful time of your life!
