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It’s almost weekly that we receive a call or an email from someone in a panic asking if we can play for their event because the vendor that they hired wasn't able to fulfill their commitments at the last minute. Often we hear that last minute cancellations are due to getting sick, double booking themselves for the day, a family emergency, or timing coordination. We will then hear last minute from clients if we can play because they hired a vendor that cannot play at their wedding for various reasons. Although last minute gigs are stressful for our couples with the uncertainty of their event, we always try to help!
Our Musician Backup PlanWhen you book with us, you are also booking a back-up musician from our team for your wedding day! On Saturdays, we always have at least one musician sitting at home, ready to go, in case one of our musicians can’t make their event at the last minute! We’ve had this happen to us in our teams for various reasons - family emergency, COVID symptoms, illness, death of a pet, death of a loved one, flight delays, traffic…. but we do have a backup on stand by! Real Story Backup PlansSick Day One of our musicians was scheduled to play a wedding in Asheville, but woke up that morning feeling horrible and could hardly get out of bed. The night before she felt like she had a slight cold, but the next morning, her cold felt worst than originally expected. With such a terrible cold, she was too sick to drive to Asheville. Shortly after, we called our back-up violinist, and I had the gig covered! Our musicians went to urgent care and found out that she had post-covid pneumonia. Our musician had to stay in bed for 3 days, but the wedding was covered and went beautifully! No one ever even knew that we had to call our back-up!!  Snow Storm Another eventful moment was the time that there was a record-breaking snow storm in Charlotte. We were scheduled to have a string trio in uptown Charlotte, NC. Our cellist was coming in from Boone, North Carolina, but he couldn’t get out of his driveway. The following day, it was still snowing heavily and snow covered the morning of the wedding. Vendors were cancelling on our couple left and right, and they were just hoping that they would still had the basic necessities so their wedding could still occur that day. April read bass clef, so that she was able to play the cello lines on my violin. She also took her keyboard to the venue so they would have some extra fullness for the cocktail hour music (since we wouldn’t have the cello they had requested). When we had thought that we had shoveled ourselves out of our snowy dilemma, our two violinists in Charlotte couldn’t get out of their driveways either! We ended up borrowing April's husband’s 4WD and picked up the two musicians stuck in their driveways, and all of our musicians played the wedding! The couple was so relieved to see all three of our musicians walk in that they didn’t even remember which instruments they had booked. They were just grateful to have music! Cancelled Flight One time, one of our violinists was supposed to fly in from out of town, but his flight got cancelled. We then proceeded to call our back-up who was able to step in and play without a second thought. Our couple's wedding day is one of the biggest and most important days of their lives. We understand the severity of having one's vendors cancel and know that our couples vendor team can make all the difference on their wedding day! We have our backup musicians on stand by and ready to play their instrument at a moments notice so that our couples never have to worry about whether or not we will show up on their day. Without our backup plan, our couples would not have the peace of mind that they do when they book us as their live wedding musicians. Vendor TeamCake: Delish Cakery Chair + Drape Rentals: Clux Rentals Furniture Rentals: New South Event Rentals Signage: Ashton Paris Events Photographer: Laura & Rachel Photography Venue: The Mint Museum Uptown
Coordination Planning + Decor: Ashton Paris Events Floral Designer: Le Petit Bloom DJ: Carolina DJ Professionals Ceremony Music: Deans' Duets Catering + Bar:: Best Impressions
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Our corporate events have been a great way to showcase our musicians' talents a part from weddings. Corporate events can range from a wide range and variety of people gathering for numerous types of events. We've included a snap shot into some of our memorable corporate events in the surrounding Charlotte, NC area. Some of our favorites have included fundraisers, photoshoots, brunches, parties, Charlotte project launches, and private events. Charlotte Convention Center EventsOur string trio played at the Charlotte Convention Center for a conference welcome breakfast. This was a corporate event was held on a Monday morning for 500 guests! We arrived at the Charlotte Convention Center at 7am to get set up and ready to play fun and upbeat pop music. What a great way to start an early morning!  Carmel Country Club FundraiserWe played the piano at the Carmel Country Club Fundraiser during cocktail hour.
Duke Mansion Styled PhotoshootThis Duke Mansion photo shoot was especially fun! Our solo cellist played at Duke Mansion in Charlotte, and these vendors created this beautiful garden scene. There was even a live painter! The colors turned out beautifully and it was the perfect spring day for an outdoor event. Grand Bohemian Hotel BrunchWe played a brunch event on the terrace of the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Charlotte. Our musician sang in Spanish and Portuguese and played mandolin. The guests absolutely LOVED it. The Grand Bohemian in Charlotte hosts brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am-2:00pm and has become a popular social hour gathering on the weekends. The Grand Bohemian Charlotte even has a special brunch and entertainment on holidays as well!  Billy Graham Library EventThe Billy Graham Library Event has been a fan favorite amongst the musicians. We love playing at the Billy Graham library and their patrons are so sweet! We typically play hymns and contemporary Christian music, but we change the style and instruments depending on the vibe of the event. They have a variety of different venues that have become fun to play at as we are constantly changing where we are set up to play.  Emerald Lake Golf Club Vendor Appreciation PartyWe provided a string trio for the Split Second Sound Vendor Appreciation Party and had SO much fun! Split Second Sound provided a 12-minute dance mix to kick of the night, and we arranged string parts to match it. It was quite the production, and it was a powerful kick-off to the event. All three strings plugged in and then jammed to the music after the 12-minute intro. Everyone had a great time and wished that the night wouldn't come to an end. Charlotte Construction Project Launch
We provided pop music with our violin, mandolin, and guitar trio for a large corporate event to kick of a construction project launch in Charlotte. State and city officials attended and spoke where we provided music for the reception shortly afterwards. When we’re playing for high caliber events such as this, we often take into account the logistical aspects of the event so that everything runs smoothly. Sometimes this is the most challenging part of the day, however with all the prep work that goes into it, we arrive feeling confident that these high profile events will run smoothly. We typically arrive 1-2 hours early, set up, sound check, tune, talk to several coordinator, etc., before we even play our first note. For the Charlotte Construction Project launch, our play time was only about 45 minutes while it took about 6 hours of work on-site to produce those 45 minutes of music. While we continuously prepare weeks and days leading up to these events, many times it helps to be on site the day of and make adjustments as needed so that we are able to see the exact set up of the event and hear how the instruments sound within the space.
Grand Bohemian Happy HourOur solo guitarist played at the Grand Bohemian in Charlotte for an outdoor happy hour.  Eseeola Lodge Private EventOur bluegrass 4-piece group played for a private event in Linville NC at Eseeola Lodge. It was a beautiful day for our musicians to play outside. For our bluegrass events, we dress slightly differently than for our high end corporate or wedding events, so that we have more of a laid back feel.
Uptown Charlotte Construction ProjectThis construction project kick-off in uptown Charlotte was quite the beautiful production! Split Second Sound provided dj and drums, and we provided the plugged in violin. The DJ and violin made for a great combination of sounds that the guests thoroughly enjoyed.  We have loved being a part of these large and small corporate events that have brought so many people together! While live musicians are well know for their performances at weddings, we also enjoy bringing classical and modern songs to life at corporate events.
While often many people associate live musicians to wedding days, we also enjoy playing at corporate events! We are classically trained wedding musicians who specialize in traditional wedding music as well as covers of modern music. Corporate events are another fun way to integrate live music into any events. Our violin and DJ sound has become growing in popularity and is a great twist on classical music. Ronald McDonald Fundraiser
We played the violin at The Bank of America Stadium for a Ronald McDonald Fundraiser in Charlotte, NC. The Ronald McDonald House believes that, " 'home' is more than four walls and a roof over your head. That’s why every Ronald McDonald House is a safe haven that provides all the comforts of home, plus the compassion and hospitality of staff, volunteers, and other families — all just steps away from the hospital." Ronald McDonald provides families with a place to stay so that they are close with their children while in the hospital. Families are able to rest and recharge for their children while also going through similar situations with other families. 375+ Ronald McDonald House Programs 265+Ronald McDonald Family Room programs 45+Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Programs Comforting meals, quality sleep, playtime for kids are provided at The Ronald McDonald House and we were thrilled be a part of such a wonderful fundraising night for a charity. The kids loved being able to dance on the football field while parents were able to watch as they performed their choreographed dance. Nights like these in Charlotte, NC bring family, friends, and businesses together to support one another and celebrate the good times. The Ronald McDonald fundraiser was a success and the night couldn't have gone better. Gamecocks Corporate EventWe played the solo violin alongside Split Second Sound for a modern twist on live music while playing with a DJ at the Gamecock Corporate Event at The Bank of America Stadium. The Gamcecock Club is one of the many corporate organizations that gather at the Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte,NC. They have over 17,000 alumni in the Charlotte region with 5% of the freshman class being from Charlotte. The Gamecock Club states, "Our baseball and football team play in our city often. We have a PMBA program in Uptown. Our city is the #1 destination for graduates when they are surveyed at the school. In 2022 we have many events coming and to be announced soon. It will only get better being a Gamecock in the Queen City!" Not only does the Gamecock Club hold social events,. charity events,. professional events at The Bank of America Stadium, but also many other organizations throughout Charlotte. The mix of food, balloon decor, lights, live music, and the DJ made for an eventfully reunion of alumni. Corporate events at the Bank of America Stadium are one of many events that are held at the stadium along with concerts and football games. Live music has often been associated with classical compositions, however we like to integrate a modern twist into our song lists to keep up with modern music and trends to create a lively atmosphere. Our corporate events have paved the way for a fun mix of music style that everyone enjoys.. Vendor Team
Ronald McDonald Fundraiser Confetti Castle Ronald McDonald House Split Second Sound Tiffs Treats Gamecock Corporate Event Split Second Sound South Carolina Gamecocks Confetti Castle Zildjian Company RTOM Corporation Anne Springs Close Greenway VenueAnne Springs Close Greenway opened in 1995 and is made up of 2,100 acres which has been has been protected from recreation to conserve the property. The Anne Springs Close Greenway is a family brand that is grounded in nonprofit recreation with a firm belief that everyone should be able to benefit from affordable outdoor recreation, education, and wellness opportunities. Anne Springs Close Greenway's mission is to, "connect people to nature through recreational and educational activities while fostering a passion for environmental conservation, animal habitat, and protection of natural resource." The venue's vision is to preserve the venue for, "people to celebrate and experience nature for generations to come." Anne Springs Close Greenway seeks to enrich the lives of the community and youth which has been made possible through the contributions of school districts, municipals, governments, and partnerships with citizens and the local businesses. They pride themselves in their venue space because of the precious recourse they were founded on and the help that is provided by volunteers to maintain the beautiful scenery. Day of Wedding Timeline
Our couple's wedding day was so fun and the perfect mix between summer and fall. While their wedding was during the height of COVID, we were one of the only live musician groups to continue to play inside a wedding venue. With all of the changes happening around the world, the couple was still able to have their wedding day surrounded by their friends and family. Our violin and cello trio loved playing both an elegant and classical ceremony and cocktail hour on the clear September day. 3:30pm Our musician trio parked their cars and unload the instruments. 3:45pm Set up began and we scouted out the move from ceremony to cocktail hour. 4:00pm We rehearsed and talked through song selections so that we all of our transitions were seemless. We use a lot of our time during this portion to plan possible cuts, repeats, etc., during the processionals. It’s our goal to play the most recognizable parts of the processionals while being able to come to a natural ending every 6-8 seconds. 4:30pm We talked to the coordinators about cues for song changes from the prelude to the mothers walking down the aisle, to then the bridal party, and finally to bride. 4:45pm We took a break and talked to the officiant about the final words before the recessional. We always like to double check what our cue will be to start the music. 5:00pm The prelude began and we played a relaxing flow of background music while guests arrived and found their seats. 5:30pm The wedding ceremony began. We played three different songs for processionals with the bride walking down the aisle to “Here Comes the Bride” which is also entitled the Bridal Chorus (by Wagner). 6:00pm The ceremony ended. There was a big mood shift for the recessional to two really upbeat and fun songs: Signed Sealed Delivered AND All You Need is Love. As soon as the trio finished All You Need is Love, we moved quickly to the cocktail hour location and started music there. We played for an hour as guests enjoyed cocktails and prepared to be seated for dinner. Wedding Setlist
Our string trio played Arioso, Arrival of the Queen of Sheba Bourrée in F, Butterfly Waltz, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Gabriel’s Oboe, and La Rejouissance for the prelude to name a few. After the prelude, the processional shortly followed where we played the Bridal Chorus by Wagner Recessional, Signed Sealed Delivered, and All You Need is Love. Some of our favorites during cocktail hour included La vie en rose, A whole new world, Music of the night, Fly me to the moon, What a wonderful world, and Can’t help falling in love.  Looking back at our wedding weekends that our musicians have played is so sweet as we have the chance to reminisce on such a special day for our couples. Wedding photos have not only been fun for our brides and grooms to receive but also for our vendor teams as we were able to bring their vision to life on their wedding day. VendorsPhotographer: @demimabry // Event Design: @hallandwebb // Venue: @ascgreenway // Floral Design: @properflower // Hair & Makeup: @whosthefairest // Wedding Dress: @haydenoliviabridal @misshayleypaige // Videographer: @bbunn // Band: Black and Blue Experience with @eastcoastentertainment // Catering: @bestimpressionscaterer // Strings: @deansduets // Rentals: @csspecialevents // Paper Goods: @sealeddesignstudio Boxwood EstateBoxwood Estate's grounds make this venue an elegant backdrop for a wedding anytime throughout the year. The luscious greenery and surrounding florals are a beautiful setting for live music as couples say I do ! This romantic venue is perfect for any couple looking to have a luxurious home garden atmosphere, and we absolutely love playing here!! About The Boxwood EstateThe name “Boxwood” was given to the present house (designed by the internationally noted New York architectural firm of Delano & Aldrich, which specialized in country manor houses for clients such as the Vanderbilts as well as banks, museums and other prominent structures such as the American Embassy in Paris) when it was constructed in 1933. Margaret Cunningham Craig had inherited the 1,500 acre Davie County farm from her husband, William Rabb Craig, a wealthy New York cotton broker, who assembled the property on the waters of the South Yadkin River in the 1910’s to be used as a winter hunting retreat. First known as Yadkin Lodge, the property was embellished with evergreens and English boxwood gardens by Mr. and Mrs. Craig. Following the establishment of a full time agricultural operation, the estate became known as Boxwood Farm.  Wedding Day TimelineBrides, planners, and vendors all say that your wedding day goes by in a minute! While keeping on time with wedding timelines is important to get the very most out of your wedding day, enjoying the day is even more important! Our solo guitarist played for our sweet couple's wedding ceremony during the first week of October in Mocksville, North Carolina. The flawless day started with hair and makeup at 10:30am with lunch shortly following after around 11:00am. The florist then arrived at 1:00pm for setup with the photographer arriving at 2:00pm to begin taking photos. Hair and makeup wrapped up around 3:00pm. Catering arrived at Boxwood Estate around 4:00pm to set up where one of our favorite parts of the day, the first look, then occurred. These photos are priceless to capture and we love seeing the bride and groom's reaction to seeing each other before they walk down the aisle and are officially husband and wife. The bridal party and family photos were taken immediately after the bride and groom's first look which concluded the pre-ceremony photos. Then, the ceremony began at 5:30pm where our solo guitarist played for the duration of the time. After the ceremony had concluded, cocktails were served on the patio and the bride and groom went to take more photos. At 6:30pm, the bride and groom had their first dance to "How Sweet It Is" which led into the welcome toast, a blessing, and a plated dinner. Once dinner was finished, the couple did a cake cutting, and toasts were made in celebration of their marriage. Concluding the night was a grand exit.
Guitar Soloist SetlistThe prelude began at 5:15pm where we proceeded to play "Fur Elise", "Prelude in C", Meditation - Bach", "Gounod", "River Flows in You", "Spring", "The Swan", "Gymnopedie", "Ode to Joy", "Simple Gifts", and other various classical selections. After the ceremony ended, we led our bride, groom, and wedding party back down the aisle to "Trumpet Voluntary" and "Canon in D." Once the bridal party exited, we recessed their guests to "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." We loved that their wedding ceremony was filled with some of our favorite wedding classics! The Boxwood Estate is a fairytale dream when it comes to planning a wedding. With the Estate being already naturally decorated with a drive lined with trees and flowers, simple and elegant decorations accentuate the venue perfectly. We loved playing at Boxwood Estate, and we can't wait to be back to play more weddings and events on property in the future.  Vendor TeamPhotography: Amy Kolo Photography
Planner: A Touch of Southern Events Venue: Boxwood Estate Florals: Taylored Blooms Beauty: Mae's Beauty Bar + Bridal Musicians: Deans' Duets Stationery: Art By Addie Mcelwee Catering: Family Catering Service Bridal Boutique: Ladies of Lineage Gown Designer: AMSALE Menswear: The Black Tux Bridesmaids: Brideside Shoes: VinceCamuto Rings: Diamonds Direct Film: Richard Photo Lab Officiant: Gorden Fleming Positive ReviewsReceiving compliments from our brides and grooms, clients, and guests after a wedding or event completely makes our day. We work closely with our clients to ensure that their music selection is personalized, fits within their timeline, and intensifies emotions. With all of the time and preparation that goes into each and every event that our musicians play, it is so nice to receive those uplifting words that remind us of why we do this and why we love our jobs. We've highlighted some of our top moments that have stood out to us over the course of numerous events and that continue to motivate us. Old Cigar Warehouse WeddingNew Year's Eve of 2021, we played our last wedding of the year at The Old Cigar Warehouse in Greenville SC. After having played at the sweet couple's wedding, we received this email response: "First of all, let me say I have received nothing but compliments about your team’s performance during my wedding. Hands down one of THE BEST investments I made! Second, could you provide a copy of the sheet music we paid to have created by your guru for the one song, 'Everything We Need.' I’d love to print and have that one framed in the house as a keepsake. It’ll be a great conversation-starter too that will give us an excellent excuse to keep recommending you all over and over!" Wow! How thoughtful of the couple that not only did they take the time to let us know that our performance did not go unnoticed, but also that they loved it so much that they wanted to print out their custom-arranged sheet music as a conversation starter with family and friends. Here's a video clip from that wedding: Highlands, NC Rehearsal DinnerOn a separate occasion in Highlands, North Carolina, we received a comment from a guest at a rehearsal dinner: "Your music is so magical that it makes me feel like I’m in a movie." Our sextet played that night and transformed the space into a performance so unforgettable that it almost felt unreal. We played for 4.5 hours, and we were still on cloud nine at the end of the evening. It was truly magical. Here is a video from that performance: Raleigh Bridal ShowWe received this comment from a vendor at a bridal show in Raleigh: "I had no idea a violin could play Justin Timberlake." Often, it is thought that, as classical musicians, we are not able to play a wide variety of music selections and genres due to instrumental capabilities. However, this is not the case! Our musicians can play all types of genres, songs, and compositions. From old and new songs to modern and classic covers, our variety of music selections is nearly endless. Some clients will even requests songs that are not on our song lists and we are more than happy to learn them for the day of their event. It's always fun to see the surprised faces as people realize we're playing one of their favorite top 40 songs. Here is a video from that event:
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Make-A-Wish Ball Timeline
2:30pm - We arrived at the Westin Charlotte and found parking in the parking garage. We then took the elevator to the second floor to find Vinny and his team from Split Second Sound setting up for the event. The ballroom was already decorated with silent auction items, a photo booth, and blue lighting with a starry night theme. We headed back to the car to unload the car for more equipment. Then, we went to find the main stage which was hidden behind a curtain so that a big reveal could occur later in the night to reveal the musicians. After unpacking the remainder of our instruments, April rosined her bow, plugged into the sound system, put her shoulder rest on, and went onstage for a sound check.
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3:00pm - After our sound check, we set up our monitor and played a few songs with Vinny and Steve on drums. We ran through our opening songs to make sure they were thoroughly prepared to kick off the Make-A-Wish Foundation dance party.
3:15pm - Casey, Karl, and Amber then arrived to play the violin, cello, and harp. We decided to find our individual stages in the main ballroom to solidify our placements throughout the room. At first, we were concerned that the harp wouldn't fit on one of the stages, however we made the tight fit work and it ended up being a beautiful placement. The harp weighs about 70 pounds, so we had two of our musicians lift the harp from the floor with one person steadying the harp from the top and the other steadying the instrument from the bottom. Harps are heavy instruments so making sure that the instrument was equally supported was essential for a careful and safe lift. Thankfully, the harp made it successfully to its spot along with a small stool and a music stand! After getting the harp well positioned, all of our musicians climbed onto our individual stages which each stood about 30 feet apart. We started playing together which at first was a rough start because of the distance between us, but the sound team helped to test the monitors so that we were about to hear each other play. With the sound team having tested out the monitors to adjust the levels of sound for each individual musician, we had the ability to hear one another although we were far apart.
3:30pm - Dress rehearsal began and the speaking portion of the night was rehearsed. We then waited while the practice occurred and shortly after, changed into our formal attire for the night.
4:00pm - Our second round of soundcheck begins and we played "Do You Want To Build a Snowman" (Disney's Frozen), "A Whole New World" (Disney's Aladdin), and a few others.
4:30pm - The schedule slightly changed which resulted in a few less songs being played than originally requested. We chose our favorites and cut some songs from out set list to make it the correct length.
3:15pm - Casey, Karl, and Amber then arrived to play the violin, cello, and harp. We decided to find our individual stages in the main ballroom to solidify our placements throughout the room. At first, we were concerned that the harp wouldn't fit on one of the stages, however we made the tight fit work and it ended up being a beautiful placement. The harp weighs about 70 pounds, so we had two of our musicians lift the harp from the floor with one person steadying the harp from the top and the other steadying the instrument from the bottom. Harps are heavy instruments so making sure that the instrument was equally supported was essential for a careful and safe lift. Thankfully, the harp made it successfully to its spot along with a small stool and a music stand! After getting the harp well positioned, all of our musicians climbed onto our individual stages which each stood about 30 feet apart. We started playing together which at first was a rough start because of the distance between us, but the sound team helped to test the monitors so that we were about to hear each other play. With the sound team having tested out the monitors to adjust the levels of sound for each individual musician, we had the ability to hear one another although we were far apart.
3:30pm - Dress rehearsal began and the speaking portion of the night was rehearsed. We then waited while the practice occurred and shortly after, changed into our formal attire for the night.
4:00pm - Our second round of soundcheck begins and we played "Do You Want To Build a Snowman" (Disney's Frozen), "A Whole New World" (Disney's Aladdin), and a few others.
4:30pm - The schedule slightly changed which resulted in a few less songs being played than originally requested. We chose our favorites and cut some songs from out set list to make it the correct length.
5:00pm - Sound check is finished. We then go backstage to the green room to eat pizza and Chick-fil-A for dinner and to relax before our performance. Over dinner, we looked over our iPads so that we could continue to meticulously mark repeats and stopping points. With no visuals and no communication accessible once our performance begins, we needed to ensure that any changes that needed to be made happened before we started playing. Typically, we make a lot of changes on stage based on reading the room and the reactions from listeners. We shorted some of our songs so that we were able to play a lot of variety to keep things interesting.
5:30pm - We discussed and rehearsed entrances. One instrument has to be designated in each song to start it alone and set the rhythm. Typically we would all begin together on a cue, but since we can’t see each other, one person has to start each song.
6:00pm - Finished makeup and final prep work. We made sure that our bags and water bottles were out of sight and gone from the performance site to be well hidden from the audience's view.
6:30pm - At this point in the night, we went back stage and were getting ready to go. We talked through all of our songs and all stated our order out loud one more time to make sure we all had the same order as the rest of the group. It would be disastrous if one of us had a song out of order since there’s no communication once beginning.
5:30pm - We discussed and rehearsed entrances. One instrument has to be designated in each song to start it alone and set the rhythm. Typically we would all begin together on a cue, but since we can’t see each other, one person has to start each song.
6:00pm - Finished makeup and final prep work. We made sure that our bags and water bottles were out of sight and gone from the performance site to be well hidden from the audience's view.
6:30pm - At this point in the night, we went back stage and were getting ready to go. We talked through all of our songs and all stated our order out loud one more time to make sure we all had the same order as the rest of the group. It would be disastrous if one of us had a song out of order since there’s no communication once beginning.
7:30pm - It’s go time and doors open! First song: "Do You Want To Build a Snowman". The Harp begins while one of the violin joins with two other strings joining in. From this point, it’s magical. Guests filter in through the doors into the starry-night themed ballroom. The lights are dim and the blue up lights illuminate the space. Amplified strings make the room sound like a full orchestra throughout the space. The strings continue and play "Viva la Vida", "Let it Go", "A Whole New World", "Fireflies", "Rolling in the Deep", and more. Finally, the strings stop as soon as they get the cue that the presentation is starting.
8:15pm - We’re finished! We carefully get off the stages in our ball gowns and help lift the harp off the stage to get it back in its protected case. We roll it out to where it can be loaded and packed up the rest of our gear.
8:30pm - Our cellist heads out and the rest of the musicians hang out in the green room to have a snack. April changes clothes and gets ready to go on-stage with DJ Vinny and drummer Steve.
8:15pm - We’re finished! We carefully get off the stages in our ball gowns and help lift the harp off the stage to get it back in its protected case. We roll it out to where it can be loaded and packed up the rest of our gear.
8:30pm - Our cellist heads out and the rest of the musicians hang out in the green room to have a snack. April changes clothes and gets ready to go on-stage with DJ Vinny and drummer Steve.
9:00pm - Electric violinist, drummer, and DJ go backstage and get plugged in and set. It’s tough to sound check anything while the presentation is going on, but we sound checked hours ago, so everything was still set up the same way! The violin plugs in and we wait a few short minutes listening to the presentation while we're all behind the curtain (the curtain is going to drop later for the big reveal). As the presentation is wrapping up, Vinny brings in background music, dancers appear and the room's excitement and volume builds. The curtain proceeds to drop and the violin and drum begin simultaneously. Everyone cheers! Such a fun evening!! We play non-stop for about 2 hours for such a fun dance party. The heroes of the evening are celebrated, and the atmosphere is in an uproar of excitement. Over $1 million was raised for Make a Wish Foundation that night.
11:15pm - The music ends and clean-up begins. We put our instruments away., organize cables, and pack up to leave an eventful evening.
12:00pm - We make it home! There was so much adrenaline to go to sleep after such a fun night, and we loved playing every second.
11:15pm - The music ends and clean-up begins. We put our instruments away., organize cables, and pack up to leave an eventful evening.
12:00pm - We make it home! There was so much adrenaline to go to sleep after such a fun night, and we loved playing every second.
Our Setlist
Our goal was to play high energy requested music with elevated excitement. We chose to incorporate more fast than slow Disney ballads to keep the guests upbeat and lively. Although we had limited line of sight amongst musicians, our preparation, sound checks, and dress rehearsal helped to create a successful performance. We also wanted the gaps between songs to be as minimal as possible so as soon as one song was finished, at least one instrument would immediately be starting the next song. Set one included Disney music where we wore white and silver attire with the guys wearing white bow ties and the girls wearing white/silver dresses. Some of the songs in our first set list included, "You've Got a Friend in Me", "Kiss the Girl" (The Little Mermaid), and "SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS" (Mary Poppins). Our second set list included more modern pop music where we all wore black attire with the guys changing to black bow ties and the ladies wearing black dresses. Set list number two included "Rolling in the Deep" (Adele), "Just the Way You Are" (Bruno Mars), "Best Day of My Life", and "Sweet Caroline" just to name a few.
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Overall, we had so much fun playing at the Make-A-Wish Foundation Gala in Charlotte! It was great to see everyone come together for such a great night in support of a beautiful cause. We loved incorporating live music throughout the night and we can't wait for the next one!
Vendors:
@SplitSecondSound
@Vinnysplit
@WestinCharlotte
@Makeawish
@Splitlivedjexp
@Steviestix
@MosaicCatering
@SplitSecondSound
@Vinnysplit
@WestinCharlotte
@Makeawish
@Splitlivedjexp
@Steviestix
@MosaicCatering
"Experts at The Wedding Report, an industry research firm, say the number of U.S. weddings in 2021 is expected to hit 2.77 million—more than twice what we saw last year and a 30% increase over 2019."
With the number of weddings skyrocketing after the heightening of the pandemic, brides and grooms are looking to differentiate themselves amongst couples by creating unique experiences for their guests through personalized details. With weddings being one of the most important and memorable moments in couple's lives, adding customized touches allows for the both the bride and groom to look back at their wedding day and reminisce about the time they invested into make their day one-of-a-kind.
We realize that couples have numerous choices and vendor options when planning such a special day. At Deans' Duets, we like to personalize every couple's experience when planning their wedding day details. From live music song selections, to sheet music, to aesthetic, and timing of day of wedding transitions, we've got you covered!
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Our couples have the ability to choose from vast song lists for each ensemble of their choosing which allows them to customize their wedding day ceremony and cocktail hour music. Our repertoire includes classical wedding music, hymns, contemporary rock, pop music, Celtic fiddle, Broadway tunes, Contemporary Christian music, jazz, bluegrass, and anything else you would like for us to learn that may not be on our list. While some couples may be more into classical music, others may only be into pop, or even a mix of both. We love getting to know our couples and their music styles to match them with our ensembles. If a couple wasn't able to find a specific song on our list, we can even order the music selection for a small fee. Even if the sheet music does not exist, custom arrangements may be commissioned as well.
There are a variety of factors that go into the ceremony music alone that may not first come to mind when planning to have live instrumentation. Depending on how often you want songs to change, couples can have anywhere from one to around six song selections for their processional. Another thing to consider after the processional is music during the ceremony. Are there any readings, religious rituals such as communion, or a unity candle mid-ceremony that we can accompany with music? If so, we work closely with your planner and/or day-of coordinator to ensure that the timing of the music fits within the flow of your ceremony. We can even accompany your singer, "greet" your guests as they enter, lead the bride down the aisle while strolling in front of her, lead your guests out during the recessional...... whatever you are looking for on your wedding day, we are more than happy to accommodate.
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At a recent wedding, we had one violinist greeting guests at the door, with another violin and a cello playing prelude at the ceremony site. Five minutes before the ceremony, the violinist joined the other two musicians to make it a trio for the ceremony portion. Being able to both customize and personalize your wedding day is so special to share with your guests as this is a time where your closest family and friends are able to celebrate you both as a newlywed couple.
We’ll tell you if we don’t think a music selection or timing is a good idea from our experience, ultimately we’ll let you make the final decision! You are the client getting married and we’ll do what you had envision, even if it’s not what we personally would have chosen. At the end of the day we want you and your future spouse to be happy and for your wedding day to play out according to your plan.
We’ll tell you if we don’t think a music selection or timing is a good idea from our experience, ultimately we’ll let you make the final decision! You are the client getting married and we’ll do what you had envision, even if it’s not what we personally would have chosen. At the end of the day we want you and your future spouse to be happy and for your wedding day to play out according to your plan.
The American Heart Association hosted back-to-back weekends of the American Heart Association Ball in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Charlotte Convention Center, and in Hickory, North Carolina, at The Crossing at Hollar Mill. This black tie gala was not only elegant and fancy with the glitz and glam movie-like atmosphere, but also provided epic music for its guests. The color themes for both nights were red, black, and gold Hollywood with sparkling silver details.
"The American Heart Association has been fighting heart disease and stroke disease while striving the save and improve lives daily. The American Heart Association's mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. The American Heart Association states, 'Our size and scope let us have real impact. The AHA has invested more than $4.8 billion in research, making us the largest not-for-profit funding source for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease research next to the federal government.'"
Our setlists included movie themes to create a red carpet ambience and included some of the following: "Kiss the Girl (Disney's The Little Mermaid", "Avenger's Theme", "My Heart Will Go On (Titanic), "Theme from Jurassic Park", "Concerning Hobbits", and many more well-known arrangements. Throughout the first set, we played calm and classic music. We then played set two which was comprised of upbeat and exciting pop music with tons of energy. While dinner was happening, the music became more mellow as people settled in and talked amongst themselves.
The Greater Charlotte Ball at the Nascar Hall of Fame Crown Ballroom was played by our Charlotte string quartet of two violins, a viola, and a cello, whereas the Heart of Catawba Valley Heart Ball was played by our string trio. The trio of two violins and a cello at The Crossing at Hollar Milll was played on-stage and illuminated the room. What an elegant event!
Our musician team prepared and prepped for both events by talking through the songs as a group while also discussing the order of events so that during the performance, we had a clear vision of our finalized instrumentation. While we were conducting sound check, we vocalized any individual and group needs and concerns to be had which significantly helped us all to hear each other throughout the American Heart Association Ball galas. The necessary adjustments worked seamlessly to be able to amplify the sound throughout the ballroom spaces so that regardless of where people were standing throughout the room with the loud chatter of noise, they were able to hear us play. With our team's collaboration, focus to detail, and teamwork leading up to both events and on the day of, the galas went on without a hitch.... and were so much fun... and raised lots of money for charity!
The American Heart Association fundraiser gala was a must-attend event made possible by the American Heart Association and through the collaboration of phenomenal vendors that made this stunning event come together. The Hollywood theme was the perfect way to kick off the night of fun, entertainment, and fundraising for a cause that is near and dear to our hearts.
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There are a few details to consider when deciding which wedding venue to pick for your wedding day. Weather options, a picturesque event space, guest capacity, and location are a few of the main factors that should be taken into account and will help you find the best location for your wedding. If you're looking for an indoor / outdoor wedding venue in Highlands, North Carolina, with gorgeous weather backup plans, large event spaces to house your family and guests, and a beautiful garden backdrop, Old Edwards Inn in Highlands, North Carolina, may be your dream wedding venue!
Old Edwards is a gorgeous wedding venue for couples to enjoy an elegant indoor and outdoor space for their rehearsal dinner and the day of their wedding in Highlands, North Carolina. Old Edwards Inn creates a luxurious and relaxing spa like atmosphere with a variety of options on property to have a small intimate or a large extravagant wedding. There are no shortage of possibilities!
Highlands, NC, is home to Old Edwards Events, and it is also one of the most magical and picturesque towns we have ever encountered. It truly feels like a fairy tale.
Highlands, NC, is home to Old Edwards Events, and it is also one of the most magical and picturesque towns we have ever encountered. It truly feels like a fairy tale.
Old Edwards Inn highlights their venue space in Highlands, North Carolina, by creating wedding moments that:
"Celebrate your wedding surrounded by the beauty and serenity of the Blue Ridge Mountains, at Old Edwards. Rustic-inspired settings, elegant outdoor spaces, and fashionable venues for rehearsal dinners and brunches set the perfect stage in the midst of Highlands, NC. Menus made of farm-to-table cuisine from our culinary team highlight seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, crafted to complement your theme and vision. Prep for the day in our wedding spa and salon, with pampering treatments for you and your attendants, including hair and makeup, manicures, pedicures, and facials. Our beautiful grounds, along the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, make for a flawless backdrop for the start of your journey together."
"Celebrate your wedding surrounded by the beauty and serenity of the Blue Ridge Mountains, at Old Edwards. Rustic-inspired settings, elegant outdoor spaces, and fashionable venues for rehearsal dinners and brunches set the perfect stage in the midst of Highlands, NC. Menus made of farm-to-table cuisine from our culinary team highlight seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, crafted to complement your theme and vision. Prep for the day in our wedding spa and salon, with pampering treatments for you and your attendants, including hair and makeup, manicures, pedicures, and facials. Our beautiful grounds, along the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, make for a flawless backdrop for the start of your journey together."
Old Edwards Inn in is located in Highlands, North Carolina at an elevation of 4,118 sea level and is one of the coolest towns in the southern portion of the United States during the summer. The average temperature in Highlands, North Carolina is 78 degrees in July and has 90 inches of rain annually.
The Orchard House is one of the buildings on the property of the Farm at Old Edwards, built in 2019, that can seat 60 guests for a seated dinner. It is surrounded by luscious greenery and flowers that make this setting a perfect spot for outdoor wedding photography. We loved how this sweet couple integrated bright colors into their wedding details to contrast the white and green of the landscape and garden surroundings.
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Our violin and cello duet played at Jennifer and Clay's wedding last July featuring "Come Thou Fount", "Canon in D", "A Thousand Years", "10,000 Reasons", "Butterfly Waltz", "Over the Rainbow", "What a Wonderful World", "Simple Gifts", and "Perfect." Jennifer and Clay had around 150 guests on their wedding day, and we loved being able to see the joy that filled the room as the newlyweds walked down the aisle.
Jennifer and Clay's wedding colors of blues and pinks were complemented by lively florals and the sweet couple's incredible vendor team to bring their wedding dreams to life. Old Edwards' backdrop with pops of color through greenery and decorative wedding details made for a picture perfect day in Highlands, NC. What a memorable day to be a part of at Old Edwards Inn. Congrats to Jennifer and Clay!
Vendor team who brought this together:
Photography: SOMEPLACE WILD
Planner, Designer, & Stationery: Beckon Events
Floral Designer: Kara Nash Designs
Beauty: Latia Curtis Fine Art Beauty
Venue, Catering, & Bar: Old Edwards Events
Cake: Lush Cakery
Musicians: Deans' Duets
Entertainment: The Life Atlantic
Cinematographer: Fine Art Wedding Videographer
Rentals: Professional Party Rentals, Industry Event Rentals, Optrics
Dress Boutique: White on Daniel Island
Calligraphy: Jackie I Wedding Calligraphy
Photography: SOMEPLACE WILD
Planner, Designer, & Stationery: Beckon Events
Floral Designer: Kara Nash Designs
Beauty: Latia Curtis Fine Art Beauty
Venue, Catering, & Bar: Old Edwards Events
Cake: Lush Cakery
Musicians: Deans' Duets
Entertainment: The Life Atlantic
Cinematographer: Fine Art Wedding Videographer
Rentals: Professional Party Rentals, Industry Event Rentals, Optrics
Dress Boutique: White on Daniel Island
Calligraphy: Jackie I Wedding Calligraphy
Author
April is a professional violinist and the music coordinator for Dean's Duets.
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