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!
by oldwp | Oct 18, 2010 | Uncategorized
If my teachers had told me that I would be doing what I do for a living and having this much fun, I swear I would have practiced more! Here is what some of my “work week” looks like –
Monday, October 18th – the honor and privilege of performing music for the funeral service of Marilyn Oates at Bethlehem Lutheran in West Dundee, IL
Wednesday, October 20th – “The Knot” at the Chicago History Museum
Friday, October 22nd – with Steinway artist, Steve Hall! Performing our annual 2 p.m. free to the public concert in the St. John Chapel of the Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights, IL
Saturday, October 23rd – working with my favorite wedding planner, Chrissy Magliano of Big City Bride at The Ivy Room in Chicago. Joining me will be Steve Mazurowski on guitar and Pippa Downs on ‘cello. Later that evening I get rockin’ at DiNolfo’s in Homer Glen with the Roy Vombrack Orchestra for Our Lady of the Woods dinner dance.
by oldwp | Oct 5, 2010 | Uncategorized
Welcome to the first post of the Strings of Silk Music/Jennifer Silk!
“Strings of Silk” Musical Airs in Aurora”
The West Branch of the Aurora Public Library is scheduling their Second Sunday Concert Series and is happy to announce that Chicago’s favorite strolling violinist Jennifer Silk, will be their featured entertainer on Sunday, October 10th, 2010. A resident of Elgin, Silk’s entertaining program, “The Day in the Life of a Strolling Violinist” will begin at 2:00 p.m. and last approximately one hour. The library is located at 233 Constitution Drive and the program will be in the library’s community room. For more information, contact Rebecca Clark at the library, (630) 264-3600.
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 from California to Arlington Heights came up in 1992, 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.”
About 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, 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.
After seeing the good works and friendship of the women’s clubs that she performed for, Silk was inspired to start a club for women like herself. In October of 2004, the Women’s Professional Musicians Club was formed. In an atmosphere of camaraderie, good food and fun, this monthly meeting’s purpose is to help support fellow woman musicians with all of life’s trials and celebrations, meet new people, improve professional skills and fulfilling the desire of bringing the joy of music to the world!
