Last night I played piano and sang for Trey and Allison's engagement party in Trey's parents' beautiful home (on their wonderful Yamaha Baby Grand :-). I got to play/sing for about 4-1/2 hours, so I got to do a LOT of great music! Along with some wonderful new love songs from different types of music, I got to play/sing a lot of the old "standards"; great love songs that have been done for the past 40-60 years.
It was a special treat to have the future groom's grandfather (92 years young), Tony, there. He played trumpet with several top-notch players/singers from yesteryear, and heard live many of the jazz/swing legends at places like the Apollo Theater and The Savoy! I'd play a song (and sometimes he'd sing along, or sing a cool trumpet part that he used to play) and he'd tell me things like, "I heard Count Basie and his orchestra play that live years ago..." - WOW!
Thanks to Alan and Lauretta for having me play/sing, and congrats to Trey and Allison!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The Cherished Bride...an Unforgettable Bridal Event!
The Cherished Bride is an elegant event that you won't want to miss if you're planning a wedding in the Central/North Central Florida area!
Please join us for The Cherished Bride on Oct 18th, 2009, from noon to 4pm at the Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, FL. Meet some of the best wedding professionals in the area, and sample their work. I'll be playing piano, singing, and meeting potential clients at this beautiful event.
I'm offering a 10% discount for those who book me for their wedding, reception, and/or rehearsal dinner at this event. Other vendors will also be offering discounts, and door prizes will be awarded.
Enjoy the wedding fashion show, the gorgeous Black Diamond Ranch, and the wonderful vendors. You can find more information at the website!
Please join us for The Cherished Bride on Oct 18th, 2009, from noon to 4pm at the Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, FL. Meet some of the best wedding professionals in the area, and sample their work. I'll be playing piano, singing, and meeting potential clients at this beautiful event.
I'm offering a 10% discount for those who book me for their wedding, reception, and/or rehearsal dinner at this event. Other vendors will also be offering discounts, and door prizes will be awarded.
Enjoy the wedding fashion show, the gorgeous Black Diamond Ranch, and the wonderful vendors. You can find more information at the website!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Lock In Current Tuition for Piano Lessons!
If you've been considering piano lessons, now is a great time to sign up! Lesson tuition will be going up in January, but I'm keeping tuition the same for my current students, and those who sign up before January.
I've been reluctant to raise my rates, because I'd love for lessons to be affordable for all families of all sizes, but I've fallen behind the market price at just $60/month, and I've got children of my own to support. So in Jan, I'll be closing that tuition gap for new students.
I teach beginners all the way through advanced students. I can help you learn to play by ear, to compose your own music, to arrange other's songs, and read chords. I've been teaching for more than 2 decades now, and have seen incredible results, especially for motivated students!
I teach during the school day, as well as during "prime-time" after school hours, so homeschool students can have lessons as part of their school day. I make house calls for a reasonable travel fee. Most of my students prefer to have me teach in their homes.
My route includes Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Keystone Heights and Melrose, Town of Tioga and Newberry, with other stops along the way.
Music is such an amazing gift! I love to play piano, and I love to teach others to play. As a professional musician, I make my full-time living teaching piano and playing for events. You can find more information on my website, and find samples of my playing on the Wedding Ceremony Music page.
I've been reluctant to raise my rates, because I'd love for lessons to be affordable for all families of all sizes, but I've fallen behind the market price at just $60/month, and I've got children of my own to support. So in Jan, I'll be closing that tuition gap for new students.
I teach beginners all the way through advanced students. I can help you learn to play by ear, to compose your own music, to arrange other's songs, and read chords. I've been teaching for more than 2 decades now, and have seen incredible results, especially for motivated students!
I teach during the school day, as well as during "prime-time" after school hours, so homeschool students can have lessons as part of their school day. I make house calls for a reasonable travel fee. Most of my students prefer to have me teach in their homes.
My route includes Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Keystone Heights and Melrose, Town of Tioga and Newberry, with other stops along the way.
Music is such an amazing gift! I love to play piano, and I love to teach others to play. As a professional musician, I make my full-time living teaching piano and playing for events. You can find more information on my website, and find samples of my playing on the Wedding Ceremony Music page.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Jeannie and Mike - May 23, 2009
Jeannie and Mike had a very special, God-honoring wedding at their church.
Because of the setting, I played only classical and Christian songs during the Prelude (as the guests were seated).
The families were seated as I played Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, then the wedding party entered to Pachelbel's Canon in D. Jeannie entered to the traditional Bridal Chorus by Wagner.
From the piano, I led the guests in singing As the Deer. A bit later in the ceremony, I sang and played The Lord's Prayer.
We closed the ceremony in a unique way - all the guests gathered in a large circle, joining hands. From the piano, I led them in singing the hymn Blest Be the Tie That Binds. Then while I continued the song, the wedding party exited, followed by the guests. It turned out beautifully!
Because of the setting, I played only classical and Christian songs during the Prelude (as the guests were seated).
The families were seated as I played Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, then the wedding party entered to Pachelbel's Canon in D. Jeannie entered to the traditional Bridal Chorus by Wagner.
From the piano, I led the guests in singing As the Deer. A bit later in the ceremony, I sang and played The Lord's Prayer.
We closed the ceremony in a unique way - all the guests gathered in a large circle, joining hands. From the piano, I led them in singing the hymn Blest Be the Tie That Binds. Then while I continued the song, the wedding party exited, followed by the guests. It turned out beautifully!
Alex and Kristen - May 16, 2009
Alex and Kristen were married in the breathtaking Baughman Center wedding chapel overlooking Lake Alice on the UF Campus. The beautiful, traditional ceremony was coordinated by the professional wedding planners at A'vie. Katie Leonard took wonderful photos.
Kristen and Alex selected classic wedding songs from my Wedding Music Planning Guide. You just can't go wrong with these classics.
Alex & Kristen's families were seated to Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. The wedding party entered to Pachelbel's Canon in D, and Kristen entered to Wagner's Bridal Chorus. The happy couple exited as man and wife to the Wedding March by Mendelssohn.
Congratulations, Alex and Kristen!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Andrew and Stefanie - May 16, 2009
Andrew and Stefanie had a touching and beautiful wedding and reception at the Haile Plantation Golf and Country Club. It rained just before the outdoor ceremony, but the great staff at Haile dried off the chairs and kept everything on track. The rain just made the stunning flowers by Betsy Gardner at The Plant Shoppe glisten.
The couple hosted the rehearsal dinner at Sweetwater Branch Inn, where we also ran through the ceremony in preparation for the big day.
During the Prelude (as guests were arriving for the ceremony), at Stefanie and Andrew's request, I sang some of their favorite love songs along with other songs I had selected: The Way You Look Tonight; Love of My Life; She's Got a Way; Lost In This Moment; I Will Be Here; L-O-V-E. A combination of instrumental songs and vocal solos makes an unusual, but poignant, prelude, particularly if a couple wants to have the words to meaningful songs included in their wedding.
The ceremony itself featured traditional music choices. The family was seated as I played Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. The wedding party entered to Pachelbel's Canon in D, then Stefanie entered to the traditional Bridal Chorus by Wagner. Their recessional began with the traditional Wedding March by Mendelssohn.
During the Prelude (as guests were arriving for the ceremony), at Stefanie and Andrew's request, I sang some of their favorite love songs along with other songs I had selected: The Way You Look Tonight; Love of My Life; She's Got a Way; Lost In This Moment; I Will Be Here; L-O-V-E. A combination of instrumental songs and vocal solos makes an unusual, but poignant, prelude, particularly if a couple wants to have the words to meaningful songs included in their wedding.
The ceremony itself featured traditional music choices. The family was seated as I played Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. The wedding party entered to Pachelbel's Canon in D, then Stefanie entered to the traditional Bridal Chorus by Wagner. Their recessional began with the traditional Wedding March by Mendelssohn.
Andrew and Allyson - May 16, 2009
Andrew and Allyson had a beautiful wedding on the wide front porch of the elegant Herlong Mansion in Micanopy. My portable digital piano and sound system made it sound like a Grand Piano was on the porch of the Mansion, so that the guests in the garden below could hear it all.
Chad Reed did a great job officiating (as he always does). All but the bride stepped into place as I played my version of Bach's Sheep May Safely Graze for the processional. Allyson made her dramatic appearance at the Manison in a classic Rolls-Royce, and came up the walk to join the rest of the wedding party as I played Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. After the ceremony, Andrew & Allyson exited for the first time as husband and wife to the traditional and joyful "Wedding March" by Mendelssohn.
This great picture was taken by Ivy at http://www.ivyhammerphoto.com/.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
About Me
- Eric Redmond, Pianist/Vocalist
- I love providing excellent, elegant live piano music that suits each occasion and exceeds expectations. I also enjoy passing on that ability to others through piano lessons.