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Hymns I like | The Prayer | Elegant Music Quartet

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That Warm and Fuzzy Feeling

I have been playing Organ and Piano at Faith Lutheran Church for a number of years now.  And you know that “warm and fuzzy feeling” you get at the beginning of the holidays when the weather gets cold and you start hearing Christmas carols? Well, most of those Christmas carols are Hymns.

Church Administrator and Vocalist Katherine Galbo chooses Hymns each week to be performed for Faith Lutheran’s Sunday service. These familiar melodies or “Tunes” are hundreds of years old and somehow strike a familiar chord within me. Discovering new music is an adventure. I get that “warm and fuzzy feeling” all over again when I unwrap the gift of a new set of hymns for the week’s service.

Elegant Music Quartet can play anything.

I like writing music for the Elegant Music Quartet to perform. Over the years have gotten some interesting requests from clients planning weddings, parties and themed events.

These requests are written out for our quartet to play; this is a special skill I have.

Neighborhood Musical Gathering Elegant Music Quartet 626-797-1795 Faith Lutheran Church Tujunga, CA

Over years of receiving requests and writing arrangements, the repertoire of the Elegant Music Quartet is always expanding and includes some very interesting music.

See: Composing and Arranging for Quartet

 

For this performance I thought it would be appropriate to arrange some of my favorite Hymns into a medley I call, “Something Sacred.”

Something Sacred #1:

  • “Faith and Truth and Life Bestowing” Tune: “Holy Manna”
  • “What Wondrous Love Is This” Tune: “Wondrous Love”
  • “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” Tune: “Nettleton”
  • “O Blessed Spring” Tune: “O Waly Waly”
  • “Let Me Be Thine Forever” Tune: “Lob Gott Getrost Mit Singen”

 

Church is a place to come for fellowship and inspiration.

This outdoor performance demonstrated that people can safely gather and enjoy the company of each other. Attendees conducted themselves responsibly.

It was also evident that everyone enjoyed being together sharing the unique experience of a live performance.

 

“The Prayer”

It is my hope that the lockdown will end soon and that people can return to their churches and places of worship.

The Elegant Music Quartet with Soprano Sisu Raiken and Tenor Artur Hakobyan perform “The Prayer”.

Traditional Armenian Song “Cilicia”

It is also my hope that the world will live in peace.

Beautiful traditional Armenian song “Cilicia” sung by Artur Hakobyan in performance with the Elegant Music Quartet.

Things are getting better…

and will get even better.

Soon we will be free to call up friends and family and gather and enjoy the company of each other doing the things we like to do. When that day comes I am sure there will be lots of weddings and parties…  another concert…  It will be cause for celebration!

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann Elegant Music 323-270-3650

DJ

Master of Ceremonies

Pianist

Bandleader

Host of Wedding and Event Podcast

Wedding & Party Ideas by Elegant Music

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Wedding Reception Villa del Sol d'Oro

“There are many things to be thankful for and reasons to celebrate.
Here are some creative ideas for your upcoming celebration.
It’s a good idea to start planning.
Things are looking up!”

Types of events and reasons to celebrate
by Eric Zimmermann Elegant Music.

Make it a Neighborhood Event

This summer Sheila and I threw a concert on our front lawn for our neighborhood. We performed motion picture themes.

This event was well received. It was described as a “Hollywood Bowl Concert on your front lawn without the traffic” :-)

Elegant Music Summer Concert 2020

See pictures and the program of what we played:
Elegant Music Summer Concert 2020

Make it a Private Event in
Your Backyard

Utilizing the resource of your backyard might provide a certain level of freedom and safety that might not otherwise be available in a public place.
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See:  Beautiful Backyard Wedding San Marino

Also see: Backyard Wedding Check List. You Can Do This! 

Hang A Chandelier!

No matter how formal or informal, it is always fun to decorate!

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See more about this beautiful wedding: Villa del Sol d’Oro Wedding Triumph!

Also see:  9 Beautiful Pasadena Wedding Locations by Elegant Music

Offer the Food You Like!

Most of us have spent the past months perfecting our recipes. Now it’s time to try them out on your guests.


See: I Like to Cook...

Put up some lights…

…invite guests

add music…

…mix gently

and perhaps wear a costume?

See: Themed Events – Best Parties of The Year

Also see:  Elegant Music Jazz Trio @ The Purple House Poolside Party with Pink Poodles

“Thank you. We really needed this.”

In performing for recent events I have observed that guests really enjoy the company of each other and at the same time are mindful of their responsibility to maintain a safe environment…

…and everyone has a good time.

“Thank you. We really needed this!” is the common compliment received.

I look forward to hearing your ideas for your upcoming celebration. I’m all ears! :-)

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Sincerely,
Eric Zimmermann  

DJ  /  Master of Ceremonies  

Pianist  /  Band Leader

Host of Wedding & Event Podcast

Office: 626-797-1795

Events, Creativity, Problem Solving. Wedding & Event Podcast Episode 68

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 15:14 — 14.0MB)

Subscribe: Android | Google Podcasts | RSS | More

“Events, Creativity, Problem Solving” Wedding & Event Podcast Episode 68 “Necessity is the mother of invention.”

There’s an old saying by Greek Philosopher Plato that “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Though he said it in Greek I think the concept is easy to understand. 

Here is another quote with similar meaning, “If you want the house cleaned up, just throw a party. Miraculously, the house gets cleaned up just before guests arrive;” at least this is the way it works at my house. 

Earlier this year I decided to have a neighborhood block party in my front yard. 

My wife Sheila pointed out that we couldn’t possibly have a party with our font lawn looking the way it did. So, I fixed my front lawn sprinklers and let nature do the rest. 

The result, a green front lawn and a successful Party which by the way turned into a neighborhood Concert featuring Motion Picture Themes performed by the Elegant Music Quartet. You are welcome to checkout the link to this event in this Episode on WeddingandEventPodcast.com.

Neighborhood Concert by Elegant Music
Elegant Music Quartet with special guests perform motion picture themes. 626-797-1795

See program of what we performed and pictures: Elegant Music Summer Concert 2020

Pushing through barriers & overcoming obstacles is part of event planning & event coordination.  One way or the other, creativity gets the job done.

And now please enjoy, “Events, Creativity, Problem Solving” Wedding and event podcast episode 68

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann Elegant Music 626-797-1795

DJ

Master of Ceremonies

Pianist

Bandleader

Host of Wedding & Event Podcast

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Villa del Sol d’Oro Wedding Triumph! by Elegant Music

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Hubert and Christine’s wedding brought their families together in a beautiful setting; Villa del Sol d’Oro an Italian Renaissance style villa in Sierra Madre, California.

Wedding planning choices:

 

  • Choice of location certainly influences design. And in turn, design preferences can influence choice of location.

 

  • What to wear? I really enjoy the Asian tradition of “the second grand entrance”.  This provides an opportunity for the bride and groom to reappear sporting a change of outfit. So if you fall in love with 2 dresses just change and have a second grand entrance :-)

 

  • Who to invite?  Simply invite people you like.

 

  • Music choices.  Elegant Music specializes in Live Music and DJ/Master of Ceremonies packages. Hubert and Christine chose a duo of Cello and Piano to perform for their wedding ceremony and DJ/Master of Ceremonies to conduct the festivities of their wedding reception.

 

Wedding Planning Decisions

A wedding is not without its challenges. Logistics are considered, problems are predicted and solved, and barriers are overcome.

Through expert planning, coordination, and execution, the event smoothly progresses from one activity to the next. 

A special thank you to Jessica and Dustin Rolph of Three Little Birds Wedding and Event Planning. On the day of, Dustin was very calm and professional and coordinated among many other things, perfect wedding ceremony processionals. 

See: Itinerary Sketch by Elegant Music

 

Also see: Wedding & Party Location Villa del Sol d’Oro 

 

Creative Wedding Ceremony Music Choices

The ceremony music for this wedding was performed under a majestic oak tree adorned with two chandeliers.

Ensemble: Piano and Cello

Here is what we played:

Groom with Sister
Bridal Party
Music: Can You Feel The Love Tonight, Elton John

 

Bride with Parents
Music: Can’t Help Falling In Love With You, Peretti, Creatore & Weiss

 

Recessional
Music: For the First Time in Forever, Robert and Kristen-Anderson Lopez
from Disney’s Frozen

 

There were traditional dances and meaningful toasts.

Father Daughter Dance

 

I really liked Christine and Hubert’s music selections:

 

Grand Entrance & 1st Dance
Music: Maybe The Night, Ben & Ben

 

Father Daughter Dance
Music: You Are The Sunshine Of My Life, Shunza

 

Cake Cutting
Music: The Way That I Love You, Passenger

 

Second Grand Entrance
Music: Love on Top, Beyonce

 

Congratulations Hubert and Christine!

Thank you for bringing all of us together.

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann Elegant Music 626-797-1795

DJ

Master of Ceremonies

Pianist

Bandleader

Host of Wedding & Event Podcast

Months after her wedding I had the opportunity to speak with Christine and we recorded a podcast episode about her wedding.

Please see: Covid Wedding Triumph! (An interview with Christine.) Wedding and Event Podcast Episode 69

 

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Beautiful Wedding @ Rancho Las Lomas by Elegant Music

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Wedding Venue Rancho Las Lomas by Elegant Music 626-797-1795 www.elegantmusic.com

This wedding venue is hidden in the foothills of Orange County on a property encompassing over 32 acres and home to Lily the White Bengal Tiger and other exotic animals who reside at Rancho Wild Life.

Wedding Venue Rancho Las Lomas

Sheila and I love it when we get a chance to work with creative people. The bride and her family put together a great team of vendors. This wedding was beautifully coordinated by Tess Emmonds – Honeysuckle Jade.

I have observed that when the bride and groom are nice people, their parents and families are usually also nice people and so it was with this wedding. The bride’s family really enjoyed the wedding planning process. You know it’s going to be a great event when the mother of the bride says, “I love all of my vendors.”

Elegant Music Quartet Performs @ Los Angeles Convention Center Bridal Show

Sheila and I met Jessica and her family at the Los Angeles Convention Center bridal show where we were performing with the Elegant Music Quartet. They heard us play. We talked. They learned that in addition to being a professional musician and providing live music that I am a DJ and Master of Ceremonies. Then they asked if the Elegant Music Quartet could play any Celtic Music. We did… and that was that.

Creative Wedding Music Choices – Elegant Music Quartet.

Here is what the Elegant Music Quartet played:

Officiant
Groom
7 Groomsmen

led in by Bagpipe to
Music: Scotland the Brave 

7 Bridesmaids
1 Junior Bridesmaid
2 Flowergirls
1 Ringbearer
Music: La Vie En Rose, E. Piaf

Bride with Father
Music: Unchained Melody, A. North & H. Zaret

Musical Moment Guitar & Vocal performance by Brother of the Bride Air Force Pararescue Staff Sergeant Stanton performs George Strait song “Cross My Heart”.

 

Recessional
Music: At Last – Elegant Music Quartet

Los Angeles DJ Master of Ceremonies Eric Zimmermann Elegant Music
DJ and Master of Ceremonies Eric Zimmermann Elegant Music

DJ/Master of Ceremonies

Grand Entrance – DJ/MC
Music: I’m a Believer, The Monkeys

Father Daughter Dance
Music: Lee Greenwood’s “Butterfly Kisses” sung from the Brides viewpoint by Lauryn Evans

Another Live Music Performance
Music: Guitar/Vocal performance of Tim Mc Graw’s “Humble and Kind” by wedding guest Taps.

Cake Cutting
Music: Sugar Sugar, The Archies

Married Couple Dance
Music: Rod Stewart’s version of the Sinatra classic “The Way You Look Tonight.”

 

More DJ Dance Music

At 10:00 we ended dance music outside on the lower level only to start it up again for the after party in the Grand Salon by the pool ’til midnight.

This wedding had everything:

Families and friends who got out of the house and came together to have a good time.

Live wedding ceremony music by the Elegant Music Quartet.

Amazing food by 24 Carrots Catering – They had me at “Roasted Prime Tri-Tip!”

Meaningful Toasts.

Irish Step Dancing.

Choreographed dance routine by the parents of the bride.

Two special performances by guests each singing and playing the guitar.

DJ Dance Music and Master of Ceremonies.

Excellent planning and coordination.

And!

Scottish Bagpiper Tress Maksimuk (the Dark Isle Bagpiper) who in the second half of the wedding ceremony performed a traditional Celtic Hand Fast ceremony; very meaningful.

One of the songs she played was the theme from “Outlander” which really struck a chord with Sheila and I. We love that show! Love the pipes. Thank you Tress!

 

The bride and her family had a lot of fun planning this wedding.

Congratulations to Jessica and Taylor and to their families.

Thank you for creating such a beautiful celebration!

Flute and Piano
Elegant Music Los Angeles Beautiful, Successful Weddings and Events

Sincerely, Eric & Sheila Zimmermann Elegant Music 626-797-1795

 

 

 

 

 

PS: Rancho Las Lomas and 24 Carrots Events were very professional and accommodating. This wedding was outdoors on July 18, 2020 in complete compliance with regulation. Couples and individual guests were seated 6 feet apart. Service staff wore masks and gloves. Above all common sense prevailed in creating a safe yet enjoyable environment. Everyone had fun and as of this writing no one has fallen ill.

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Beautiful, Successful Weddings & Events

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