Vologda, Russia
One of Vologda’s beautiful churches, next to the Kremlin.
I am on vacation in my beautiful Vologda. This is such a nice time of the year to visit my city. Warm summer rain, the smell of the forest and a chance to catch up on gossip with old friends!Life is improving in Russia. People are making good money now, the streets are cleaner, old buildings are being replaced by new ones, everyone is more polite and no smoking anywhere, even the parks!
I have a small apartment I own near the downtown, centrally located and close to everything. I am only a couple of blocks away from the Kremlin and the beautiful church next to it.
While I am here, I have been invited to perform locally including an invitation to play at a new bridge dedication near Moscow where there will be many dignitaries, including Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev attending!
Selecting music for your wedding ceremony
Wedding Music
It is one of the most important days of your life. You are getting married! There is a lot of planning to do. One of the important factors to consider is music for your wedding ceremony.
Your wedding ceremony music helps set the tone for your entire event. Are you going to have a traditional wedding or go for something more contemporary? The wedding ceremony music creates the mood, evokes emotion and serves as a guide to the progression of the ceremony.
There are a variety of musical instruments to choose from. The church organ is the most traditional instrument but other popular instruments include the violin, guitar, flute, harp and piano. You may want to consider hiring a duet, trio or quartet. You may also want a vocalist to sing a song during the ceremony.
Hiring for ceremony and cocktail hour. Often when you hire a musician to perform at your ceremony, you can ask them to stay and play at your cocktail hour or reception as well. You should be able to negotiate the fee for both aspects up front. Keep in mind that along with the actual playing time, your fee also includes the musician’s practice and preparation of music before the event, travel, set-up and breakdown time.
What can you expect to spend? Ceremony music can span a wide range depending on the type of instruments, the number of musicians and quality of artists. Las Vegas has a lot of outdoor weddings. How suitable are the instruments for your venue? Is power needed? You can expect to pay between $150-$300 for a solo artist to more than $1,200 for a string quartet.
The magic moment is almost here! The wedding couple and bridal party are about to make their grand entrance and walk down the aisle. What wedding ceremony music did you select? You may consider the traditional Wagner’s “Here Comes the Bride” and Pachelbel’s “Canon in D”. Or are you more contemporary, looking for a song that captures your spirit like “Marry Me” by Train. Many of these songs are also used for processionals and recessionals and/or serve as prelude music or postlude music.
Here are some steps to help you make the right musical decisions:
- Decide what type of wedding ceremony suits you best as a couple? Classical or Contemporary.
- Consider the setting of your nuptials? Church, Wedding Chapel, Outdoor Wedding?
- Evaluate the religious or non-religious undertones such as candle lighting or rose ceremony or any other special moments that music can underscore.
- Decide on the main instrument. Violin is a beautiful accompaniment as well as flute, guitar or organ. String duet or trios are popular and can be paired with other instruments.
- Allow music professionals that play wedding venues to help you make the right musical decisions and book well in advance to secure your date and time and to allow adequate preparation.
- Ask for musical samples including videos and/or audio and also ask for sample of musician’s repertoire.
If you are considering a solo, duet or string trio, The Las Vegas Violinist (www.LasVegasViolinist.com) Tatiana Barone, brings romantic charm to every wedding.
My Students
I love to teach and play violin!
I have opportunity to play more and more venues. I am so happy! Now I have violin students that I teach. I so like my students. There is such satisfaction in seeing the progress my students are making. Some are young, eager and just starting to learn. Others have been playing awhile or are older and want to learn to play correctly and at higher level.
Each group has their own challenges. I first teach them the proper way to hold bow and violin. It is foundation for becoming a good violinist. If you do not have good bow technique, you will never advance beyond beginner status! Next is how to get good sound from your instrument. My students who practice and play like I teach them, can quickly see progress.
I am proud to say that my students that were taught before, are surprized at what they can now accomplish with a few adjustments and practice, practice, practice. I am proud of my students and I think they so appreciate me.
Practice makes perfect: Start with 15 minutes everyday and work up to at least an hour of play or more.
During practice, focus on improving and playing musically. Play a small segment of music, then ask yourself: “What can I do to make that sound better?”. Then play the segment again while trying to implement your ideas.
Practice is critical. A violin has no frets or marks to help place the fingers. A student that wants to be a good player will practice every day to prevent losing the feel of the right position for the hand and fingers.
Be Patient! Be sure not to rush ahead and try things that are too difficult; you have to crawl before you can walk. Go Step by Step. First, learn the simple things like learning how to use a bow. Before you know it, you’ll be ready for more difficult things. Even very gifted musicians must practice hard and may struggle when learning something new. Patience is the key!,
Practice hard fast parts slowly, then work up to tempo. It is not important to be able to play fast at first. More important to play correctly and get the best sound from your violin. Besides, some of the most beautiful violin music is played slowly, like Ava Maria played here. Do not expect to play something well the first time, or even the first twenty times!
Have fun! Violin playing should not feel like a chore. While you should practice the music you need to for your teacher or orchestra, leave time at the end for your favorite music.
Cole Payne: Feb 16, 2013
My first recording experience in USA
Beautiful Marsia Johnson, an up and coming singer with a wonderful melodic voice, just cut her first demo record and invited me and other talented musicians to participate!
I have never been in a recording studio in America to record before so it was interesting for me.
The song selection was great and I am looking forward to hearing the final release of the album!
Good luck Marsia. I wish you success for all your hard work!
You can listen to Marisa sing on her MySpace page.
Christmas in Russia
The Russian Orthodox Church is the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world.
The Russian Orthodox Church is second only to the Roman Catholic Church in terms of numbers of followers. Around 200 million people follow the Eastern tradition of worship.
the Russian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar, with Christmas falling on January 7. The Julian calendar was introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 B.C. It was later superseded by Gregorian calendar, adopted in 1582. Christmas is also celebrated on January 7 by the Ukrainian, Georgian, Serbian and some other churches. .
In the Orthodox Church, Christmas is the second most important event of the calendar year after Easter. On January 6, many believers refrain from eating at all before the first star appears, proceeding by 10 pm to churches for Christmas services. After the service, on January 7, people traditionally congratulate each other and organize holiday feasts.
Christmas services continue in churches on January 7 until late evening. And from the following day, January 8, through to the 17th, is the time, when various festivities are traditionally enjoyed. During this period, people fast every Wednesday and Friday.
Merry Christmas!
Pronounced: S-roh-zh-dee-st-vom!
Sambalatte – the “In Spot” 1pm to 3pm Sat & Sun
I now play most Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1pm to 3pm at the European style ”Sambalatte Caffee Lounge & Expresso Bar” in Boca Park on Rampart Blvd.
Stop in and introduce yourself to Luise the owner. He and his staff make not only the best coffee in town, but the tastiest treats! I am always interested in meeting fans of violin music, so come and introduce yourself!
The ambiance of the place is further enhanced, from time to time, with live music by other local talented musicians, including me! Check this place out, it is laid back, classy, but with old world charm.
Tanya Plays Before Large Audience!
Playing on stage before a large audience is always a bit nerve racking!
I was fortunate to be asked to perform before a large group of doctors from all over the world in Las Vegas to attend a conference on emergency medical treatments. The day before I am at the convention center getting prepared as they set up the venue for the next day!
Getting ready for the big day!
You are on in 40 seconds!
I arrived 30 minutes before my scheduled performance and sat down. Someone came up to me and said " You are on in 40 seconds! WHAT? They changed the schedule around without telling me and I immediately had to go on stage and perform!
Playing before a wonderful crowd of appreciative fans
Beautiful Weddings
I have such a great job!
I get to be a part of most people's special moment and bring music to the event.
I recently played a small private ceremony in the backyard of the couple getting married. You could tell how much they loved each other and the guests were great.
After the wedding ceremony, I stayed and played as they ate and then everyone afterwards danced as I played requests! It was a lot of fun.
I play small intimate party for guests!
Mozart in the Morning
I like Mozart, as a talented young composer, pianoist and violinist.
As part of a trio, I recently played classical and popular music for a convention being held at Mandalay Bay for a crowd of about 300 attendies. After we finished we got a great response from the audiance and someone yelled out to us… "I love Mozart in the morning". Me too!
My fellow musicians, Elana and Iolani are wonderful, talented and a joy to play with. If you are looking for a duet or string trio for a special event, call or email me!
String Trio for Las Vegas events to include conventions, special events and weddings!
July Heat
Vegas Weddings are Popular Year Around
You would think that outdoor weddings in July would be impossible! Not if you think ahead, cover the guests and make it short! The bride in this wedding was stunning and we stayed and played for the cocktail hour afterwards. The friends and family were Irish and know how to have a good time. Reminds me of Russian parties.
Keeping cool in July
Keeping cool in July
Again, an outdoor wedding but covered and near the water. Hawaiian theme. Guess I was over dressed!
