by strgsosilk1@msn.com | Mar 2, 2018 | Uncategorized
For An Encore Performance!
The best round of applause that professional musicians can receive is to be asked for an encore – not just at the end of the performance but for a repeat engagement. Strings of Silk Music is honored and privileged to receive many, many encore performances! To receive such high praise is never expected; however, it is always greatly appreciated. It can also be noted that repeat performances are based on not just the quality of the performance, but on the professionalism, experience and expertise that professional musicians are known for.
As a result of so many repeat performances, there have been requests from clients (and suggestions from Strings of Silk Music) to customize the very popular “A Day in the Life of a Strolling Violinist”. The musical results include: Jennifer’s Blarney – an audience participation and fun Irish show with a song, a joke and a jig; a music education program from Bach to rock called Rock-n-Bach – a string trio with a symphony of sound! There is the 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 violin and viola with award-winning Metropolitan 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”.
Then this week the creative juices flowed to create a very unique program for a venue where the audience has heard and enjoyed every program that Strings of Silk Music has performed. The lovely Belmont Village of Buffalo Grove has hired Strings of Silk Music for the past ten years and the next performance scheduled will be at the end of May for a “Strings of Silk Summer Serenade” – popular songs of the summer season. The result was a entertaining and eclectic example of the music, venues and audiences of the next three months in “A Day in the Life of a Strolling Violinist”! And now on with the show…
“We’ll Meet Again”
Michigan Shores Country Club
Somewhere My Love Fascination and Edelweiss – first songs played for W. Clement Stone, founder of the club
Cantata Sunday featuring the choir and orchestra at the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn
“Spring” from Vivaldi’s, The Four Seasons
Pryme Tymers of Trinity Evangelical Covenant Church and McHenry Villa
Jennifer’s Blarney – When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, Danny Boy and Irish Washerwoman Jig
Clare Oaks Birthday Bash
Because of You
Weddings
Requests of Game of Thrones Theme, Moon River, Hallelujah and Almost Like Being In Love
Holy Week
Featuring the viola on: “Three Days” for Good Friday, Sunrise, Sunset for Passover and “Ode to Joy” aka “Joyful, Joyful” for Easter Sunday as well as for New Philharmonic All Beethoven Piano Concerto Concert
West Dundee VFW Auxiliary Spaghetti Dinner
Tarantella and O Sole Mio
Memorial Night for the Swedish Community of Sviethod Lodge #2
Santa Lucia and Halsa Dem Darhemma
Schaumburg Township Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
Requests from the audience of performing at this event for over ten years include: Humoresque, Memory and the Orange Blossom Special
Mother’s Day at The Vines of Elgin
M-O-T-H-E-R, Always and Let Me Call You Sweetheart
Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day
God Bless America
by strgsosilk1@msn.com | Feb 19, 2018 | Uncategorized
What would you like to hear awfully bad or in the worst way?
Being a strolling violinist involves memorizing hundreds (or for Chicago’s favorite strolling violinist…1,000’s!) of songs. Being a professional strolling violinist also involves knowing the type and style of music by “reading” the audience. There isn’t any magic involved with doing so – but is there?
At a recent wedding reception tasting event at the the beautiful Morton Arboretum, the audience was mostly brides and grooms with their parents, and the music was geared to promote bookings for their upcoming nuptials and/or other events. The musical ensemble consisted of harp and violin, so of course the music was gorgeous! Because the audience was under pressure to select from many culinary choices, it was decided they had enough on their “plate” to ask for any musical requests. Having the experience of knowing some of the most popular song selections, that music was played first.
Toward the end of the evening, the ensemble started playing their own requests – either particular favorites or just random selections. It was at this time that not once, not twice, but three times that members of the audience twirled around in excitement, started smiling and whipped out their cellphones to capture the performance on video of their favorite music! This is what is called “psychic requests” – musicians who not only read music…they read minds!
And visit www.stringsofsilkmusic.com for beautiful music for beautiful occasions!
by strgsosilk1@msn.com | Feb 16, 2018 | Uncategorized
What does this mean to Strings of Silk Music?
In an effort to be more socially conscious to the environment of professional musicians, Strings of Silk Music makes this commitment: to practice sound stewardship through our musical endeavors, performances and promotions, as well as to uphold and improve social and economic concerns of professional musicians which will benefit everyone involved on the planet.
Strings of Silk Music’s goal is to procure musicians of high quality and in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. What does this mean to the musicians and their families and what does it mean for you? It means they get fair prices for their high quality performances. It also means they that will financially be in a better position to strive for better skills by consistently improving their performances through ongoing practice and training resulting in you being the beneficiary of the best of beautiful music!
In order to to bring about improved community education and interactions, Strings of Silk Music is committed to fair wages for musicians so that their livelihoods can provide for their families’ and their families healthcare. For more information about Sustainable Music, click HERE. Many thanks to their logo for this post and for their work in this field!
by strgsosilk1@msn.com | Feb 7, 2018 | Uncategorized
Music takes you on a fantastic journey!
At three concerts yesterday, Strings of Silk Music journeyed to Mars aboard Star Trek with E.T., Aurora Scitech and the Fox Valley Orchestra! The presentation of the universe and music was orchestrated by the presenters from Scitech and conductor, Brian Groner.
Music is a phenomenal scientific vehicle! Did you know that Pythagoras was the father of mathematics and the 12 tone scale? And what about spatial relationships? It begins at an early age and music supports its development. And anyone who has had a desire to study music knows the importance of time – as in time management – you have to make the time to practice! And then there is the science of how does an instrument make sound – through vibrations in the air and sadly, that means there is no music in space…or is there?
And it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know about music having an effect on the audiences in Aurora – love is love and they loved it!!
by strgsosilk1@msn.com | Jan 30, 2018 | Uncategorized
May everyday be a Happy Groundhog’s Day for you and yours…xoxoxo
When Strings of Silk Music started in the Chicagoland area 25 years ago, the movie “Groundhog Day” was being filmed in Woodstock, Illinois. At the time, who knew that it would play such an important part in the presentation of music, family connections and festivities? Be sure to dance in the gazebo, stay warm and love the one you’re with because this day is tomorrow.
by strgsosilk1@msn.com | Jan 29, 2018 | Uncategorized
A Sweet Serenade…and shopping, too!
“Strings of Silk Music Shopping Serenade”
The State Street Market Shops of Elgin will celebrate the 2018 Valentine’s Day holiday with a very special Ladies Night Out on Thursday, February 8th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Elgin resident and Chicago’s favorite strolling violinist Jennifer Silk will enhance the champagne and treats with classical music and popular requests. Located at 701 North State in Elgin for more than 35 years, the State Street Market Shops have been supporting local businesses, artisans and many philanthropic causes with more than 30 unique shops. For more information regarding this event, please contact the Shop: 847-695-3066 or at themarket@statestreetmarket.com.
