HarpStringStudio on YouTube!

Introducing the HarpStringStudio YouTube Channel! I will be downloading performance videos of live performances, as well as specific musical selections to help clients select music for their weddings and/or special events! Some of the videos will be public (for all of YouTube to view) and others private (just for clients selecting music for their event). I think it is so important to be able to hear the music, as well as see it performed. Also, it is so convenient! You can view these videos from your own home in your pajamas at midnight and hear them performed over and over! I really don't know why I didn't done this sooner. Look for new material downloaded to this Channel in the next week!

HarpStringStudio YouTube Channel

The Royal Wedding - William & Kate

Congratulations to Prince William & Kate! The Couple announced the music for their wedding service on their website prior to their highly anticipated April nuptials. The music has a largely British theme and blend traditional music with some newly commissioned pieces. I thought I would share their wedding selections here for some Royal inspiration! I wish Prince William & Kate all the best in their married lives together!

Prelude
The music before the service began with a selection of organ pieces: Fantasia in G (Pièce d’orgue à 5) by Johann Sebastian Bach, followed by Veni Creator Spiritus by the Master of The Queen’s Music, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies; Prelude on St. Columba Op. 28 by Sir Charles Villiers Stanford and Sonata for Organ Op. 28 (Allegro maestoso and Allegretto) by Edward Elgar.

Following were seven orchestral pieces:
Serenade for Strings in E minor Op. 20 (Allegro piacevole, Larghetto and Allegretto) by Edward Elgar
Courtly Dance V: Galliard from Gloriana (Symphonic Suite) Op. 53a no. 7 by Benjamin Britten
Fantasia on Greensleeves by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Farewell to Stromness by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies
On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring by Frederick Delius
Touch Her Soft Lips and Part from Henry V Suite by William Walton
Romance for String Orchestra Op. 11 by Gerald Finzi

Three of these pieces – Farewell to Stromness, Touch Her Soft Lips and Part and Romance for String Orchestra Op. 11 – were played at the Service of Prayer and Dedication for The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall in 2005. The Couple specifically chose these pieces for that reason. The final piece of music before the Service began continues the broadly British theme: Canzona from Organ Sonata in C minor by Percy Whitlock.

Processional Music
The Service began with a Fanfare by The State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry to mark the arrival of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. The Fanfare was followed by three Processionals. For the Procession of The Queen, William and Kate chose March from The Birds by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry. Prelude on Rhosymedre by Ralph Vaughan Williams accompanied the Procession of the Clergy, and was chosen for its Welsh echoes. The Couple selected I Was Glad, also by Parry, for the Procession of the Bride.

Hymns
William and Kate chose three hymns for the service: Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer, words by William Williams, translated by Peter Williams and others, and music by John Hughes. The second was Love Divine All Love Excelling, words by Charles Wesley and music by William Penfro Rowlands. The third was Jerusalem, by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, words by William Blake. All three hymns were chosen because they are favorites of the Couple.

The Anthem and Motet
The Anthem, This is the day which the Lord hath made, was composed specially for the occasion by John Rutter. It was commissioned by Westminster Abbey as a wedding present for Prince William and Miss Middleton and was performed by both the Choir of Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal Choir. Mr. Rutter is a British composer, conductor, editor and arranger who specializes in choral music.
The Anthem was followed by the Motet Ubi caritas by Paul Mealor, a Welsh composer, who is currently Reader in Composition at The University of Aberdeen.
Mr. Mealor’s composing studio is on the Isle of Anglesey, where William and Kate live. This version of Ubi caritas was written on Anglesey and premiered at the University of St. Andrews in November 2010.
The National Anthem was sung immediately before the Signing of the Registers.

The Signing of the Registers and the Recessional
During the Signing of the Registers, the choirs performed Blest pair of Sirens, words by John Milton from At a Solemn Musick, music by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry.
Following the Signing, was a Fanfare by the Fanfare Team from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. The Fanfare, called Valiant and Brave, after the motto of No. 22 Squadron (Search and Rescue Force) was specially composed for this Service by Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs, Principal Director of Music in the Royal Air Force.
The Recessional, for the Procession of the Bride and Bridegroom, was Crown Imperial by William Walton. Toccata from Symphonie V by Charles-Marie Widor and Pomp and Circumstance March no. 5 by Edward Elgar followed the Service.

Noelle & Travis

Congratulations to Noelle and Travis on their marriage! Noelle and Travis were married on Saturday evening, April 23, 2011 at Bess Chapel United Methodist Church in Cherryville, NC. For the prelude, I performed a variety of classical and popular selections. For the entrance of the mothers, I performed And I Love Her by Lennon/McCartney and How Beautiful by Twila Paris. I performed Something by Harrison for the entrance of the bridal party and Bridal March by Wagner for the entrance of the bride. During the lighting of the unity candle, I performed Have I Told You Lately by Morrison. For the recessional, I performed How Sweet It Is (To be Loved by You) by Holland/Dozier/Holland. I had so much fun being a part of this beautiful wedding ceremony and playing some fabulous Beatles tunes (And I Love Her & Something)! I have known Noelle and her family for many years and was honored to be asked to be a part of her wedding day! Congratulations again to this gorgeous couple on their beautiful April wedding!