Holiday Music by Chicago's Favorite Strolling Violinist
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.