An Everlasting Love

Saturday evening The String Group played for a wedding ceremony at Riverside United Methodist Church. Our trio enjoyed playing in this church's sanctuary; stained glassed windows beautifully brought in the setting sun's natural light and the acoustics filled the room with the trio's performances of many traditional wedding favorites.
After a prelude of classical music the grandparents, parents of the bride and groom came down to How Beautiful, a special arrangement for The String Group per the request of the bride and her family. The bridal party made their way into the ceremony to the familiar sounds of Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring and the Bride came down her aisle to Canon in D with a bridal fanfare. During a special scripture reading of John 4, the groom's pastor spoke of his admiration for the bride and groom while the trio and piano softly played The String Group's arrangement of Be Thou My Vision. The bride, groom and wedding party planned a surprise recessional, choreographed to the exciting R&B melodies of Natalie Cole's debut single This Will Be (an Everlasting Love). The trio ended the ceremony with a guest postlude of Hornpipe, Trumpet Tune and Rondeau.'

The String Group enjoyed playing for this joyous occasion

and congratulates the New Mr. and Mrs.

Trio: Breana, Ashlee and Liz

On-Site Music Coordinator: Jody thestringgroup@bellsouth.net

Music Coordinator: Ashlee thestringgroup@aol.com

Grand Opening of Headline Hair Designers

The String Group had the pleasure to work with new salon owners Jeremy and Cristen Nascimento as they opened their salon, Headlines Hair Designs in St. Marys, Georgia.

Headlines Hair Designers reached out to their local community by choosing to have their grand opening benefit Camden Baptist Church's Bus Ministry. Jeremy, Cristen, and their stylists all spent the evening donating their time and talent, styling hair to benefit this local ministry.

The String Group enjoyed providing music for this event and wishes Jeremy and Cristen many blessings with their new salon!

Duet: Ashlee and Liz
Music Coordinator: Ashlee thestringgroup@aol.com

The String Group enjoyed coordinating music for a very sweet renewal of vows ceremony. The lovely couple had many of their favorite songs in mind for the ceremony and chose to have the songs played by saxophonist Daniel Baukemper.

The ceremony started with Danny playing Ribbon in the Sky by Stevie Wonder as a special ballet/saxophone selection. After a lovely processional, Danny softly played Lionel Richie's Truly while the bride and groom said their heartfelt vows to one another. The Ceremony ended with Danny playing Here and Now by Luther Vandross as the wedding party, family and guest made their way to the cocktail hour. Once the reception area was set up and the guest had found their seats, Danny played I Believe in You and Me by Whitney Houston while the hostess proudly introduced the wedding party.

The String Group enjoyed providing the special music for this lovely event and sends our best wishes to this sweet family as they continue their lives together.

Saxophonist: Danny Baukemper
On Site Music Coordinator: Ashlee Davis thestringgroup@aol.com
Music Coordinator: Jody Champagne thestringgroup@bellsouth.net

joining their hands, hearts and lives....

Last Saturday, The String Group had a quartet playing at TPC at Sawgrass for a wedding ceremony and cocktail hour. The quartet's prelude of classical music greeted guests as they made their way through TPC's gorgeous Mediterranean revival inspired clubhouse, onto the patio and to the ceremony site. The ceremony began with Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring being played for the grandparents and parents. Pachelbel's famous baroque piece, Canon in D, was played for the Bridal Party Processional, and the Bride made her entrance to Clark's Trumpet Voluntary. The ceremony was overflowing with much love, joy and excitement for this happy couple. After a first kiss and pronouncement of the NEW Mr. and Mrs., the quartet played The Wedding March as a recessional for the wedding party and families.

The celebration continued as the quartet filled the Cocktail Hour with many classical favorites and timeless love songs.

The String Group appreciates all the hard work Leana Gallagher with Amelia Occasions put into coordinating this event. Leana's dedication, expertise and attention to details make for the stress-free wedding day that every bride and groom deserves and longs for!

Laeana Gallagher, Wedding Coordinator

904.556.6235

leana@ameliaoccasions.com

Quartet: Hannah, Laurie, Karen and Ethel

Ashlee Davis, On-Site Music Coordinator

904.483.7546

thestringgroup@aol.com

Lakeside Ceremony

Last Saturday, The String Group played at three different locations. In the early afternoon a trio played at Deercreek Country Club, and then we had ensembles at two evening weddings at TPC Sawgrass and Le Jardin on Park.

Our trio first played at Deercreek County Club for a beautiful lakeside ceremony. After a prelude of classical music, the trio began the ceremony with Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring as the Grandparents and Parents made their way from Deercreek's Clubhouse to the ceremony. The trio then began playing Canon in D for the bridal party and then transitioned to The Bridal March for the Bride! The Ceremony was filled with many loving details; hand written vows, a unity candle and the couple's first communion. The trio ended the ceremony with The Wedding March played for the bride and groom, wedding party and family. Hornpipe was then played while the guests made the way from the ceremony site back to the clubhouse for the reception.

The String Group congratulates this sweet couple and thanks them for allowing The String Group to be a part of their wedding ceremony.

Pictures provided by Kathryn Brown

Trio: Hannah, Karen and Beth

Music Coordinator: Ashlee

Playing for Former President George W. Bush

Last Month The String Group had the unique opportunity to play for a private luncheon with former President George W. Bush, hosted by Ambassador John Rood. This event was held downtown at The Carling, formally known as The Roosevelt Hotel. Today, The Carling has been renovated into premier upscale apartments and has many great amenities that make it a wonderful location for weddings, receptions and special events. The Carling has been beautifully restored by the Vestcor Company, keeping the building's original 1920's architecture and splendor while bringing many of today's most sought after luxuries to the location.

Our string trio played at the top of a grand marble staircase that led to an open meeting area where the former president and his guests would spend their time together. Our sound was carried throughout the building and filled the downstairs lobby. Once President Bush made his way up the stairs, Ambassador Rood took the time to introduce the president to us. We happily stopped playing and greeted our former president. President Bush was very pleasant,we never imagined how calming and cordial he would be.

The String Group appreciates all the hard work Ambassador Rood and Holly from The Vestcor Company put into organizing this event. We enjoyed being a part of this day and know that President Bush was warmed by the fellowship with friends!

Trio: Ashlee, Jody and Lauren
Photographer: Dan Van Slyke

Beginning in a Garden

Tucked into the beautiful historic homes in Riverside is Le Jardin on Park, a lovely wedding location. As its name implies, it is a garden set up to cater to the needs of brides and grooms and their families.

Today we had the opportunity to play there, using our bagpipe player for the first time. The bride's family had Scottish roots, and in addition to many of her relatives wearing kilts, she wanted arriving guests to be greeted by the skirl of bagpipes. Walt's sound was powerful enough to be heard by guests all over Le Jardin, and was a very impressive way to begin the afternoon. As the time for the wedding approached, we exchanged the bagpipes for a string trio, to help draw guests into the seating area of the garden.

One of the bride's friends sang a special song for the seating of the parents, and then the string trio played Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring for the bridesmaids and Pachelbel's Canon for the bride herself. During the lighting of the unity candle, we softly played Twilight and Mist, a lovely tune by Horner. The bridal party exited to the strains of the Wedding March, and we continued playing several joyful classical pieces as the guests moved to the reception area.

This wedding was everything you want in an outdoor ceremony--a beautiful location, amazing weather, and a sweet bride and groom.

Bagpipes: Walt

Trio: Breana, Jessie, Anna
On-Site Music Coordinator: Doris

Be Thou My Vision

Last Saturday night, The String Group played at the beautiful Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The trio played a prelude of classical music and then started the ceremony by playing Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring as the grandparents and parents came down; Canon in D was played for the Bridal Party Processional.

The Bride choose to come down to her sweetheart's favorite hymn, Be Thou My Vision. Christ Episcopal Church's Director of Music, Dr. Tim McKee, accompanied on the piano while the trio played the Bridal Processional. We enjoyed arranging and playing this special piece for the Bride and Groom.

After the vows, first kiss and pronounciation of the NEW Mr. and Mrs., Dr McKee played Hornpipe on the church's beautiful pipe organ as a recessional for the Bridal Party and family.

Trio: Breana, Ashlee and Beth
On-Site Music Coordinator: Jody