An interesting story about a man and his violin…

He carved it of rough-hewn bed slats with a penknife traded for Red Cross rations.But would it play?

In February 1944 I was a U.S. Air Corps pilot flying a B-24 bomber over Germany when antiaircraft fire hit our tail section and we lost all controls. We bailed out and on landing I found myself in a field in occupied Holland, just across the border from Germany. We were surrounded by villagers asking for chocolate and cigarettes. Then an elderly uniformed German with a pistol in an unsteady hand marched me to an interrogation center. From there I and other prisoners were shipped to Stalag Luft I, a prison camp for captured Allied airmen.

The long dreary months dragged on. One day early in the fall of 1944, I looked out a barracks window at a leaden sky and prayed in desperation, “Oh, Lord, please help me find something constructive to do.”

There seemed to be no answer as I slumped amid the dull slap of playing cards and the mutter of conversation. Then someone started whistling “Red Wing” and my heart lifted. Once again I was seven years old in rural  Minnesota listening to a fiddler sweep out the old melody. As a child I  loved the violin and when a grizzled uncle handed his to me I couldn’t believe it. ”It’s yours, Red,” he said, smiling. “I never could play the thing, but maybe you can make music with it.”  There were no music teachers around our parts, but some of the old-timers who played at local dances in homes and barns patiently gave me tips. Soon I accompanied them while heavy-booted farmers and their long-gowned wives whirled and stomped to schottisches and polkas.

I thought how wonderful it would be to hold a violin again. But finding one in this place would be impossible. Just then I glanced at my cast-aside model, and a thought came to me: I can make one! Why not? I had done a little woodworking before I was in the service. But with what? And how? Where could I find the wood? The tools? I shook my head. I was about to forget the whole preposterous idea when something caught me. You can do it. The words hung there, almost as if Someone had challenged me. I grew up on a farm during the Depression, and had learned about resourcefulness. I remembered my father doggedly repairing hopelessly broken farm equipment. ”You can make something out of nothing, Son,” he said, looking up from the frayed harness he was riveting. “All you’ve got to do is find a way . . . and there always is one.”

I looked around our barracks. The bunks. They had slats! Each was about four inches wide, three-quarters of an inch thick and 30 inches long. A few wouldn’t be missed. Just maybe, I thought, just maybe I could. I already had a penknife gained by trading care-package tobacco rations with camp guards who delighted in amerikanische Zigaretten. Glue? It was essential. But glue was practically nonexistent in a war-ravaged country. ”There’s always a way,” echoed Dad’s words.

One day I happened to feel small, hard droplets around the rungs of my chair. Dried carpenter’s glue! I carefully scraped off the brown residue from a few chairs, ground it to powder, mixed it with water and heated it on a stove. It would work. I cut the beech bed slats to the length of a violin body and glued them together. Then I began shaping the back panel. A sharp piece of broken glass came in handy for carving. Other men watched with interest, and some helped scrape glue from chairs for me.

Weeks went by in a flash. I shaped the curved sides of the body by bending water-soaked thin wood and heating it over the stove. My humdrum existence became exciting. I woke up every morning and could hardly wait to get back to work. When I needed tools, I improvised, even grinding an old kitchen knife on a rock to form a chisel. Slowly the instrument took shape. I glued several bed slats together to form the instrument’s neck.

In three months the body was finished, including the delicate f-shaped holes on the violin’s front. After carefully sanding the wood, I varnished the instrument (that cost me more cigarettes) and polished it with pumice and paraffin oil until it shone with a golden glow.

A guard came up with some catgut for the strings, and one day I was astonished to be handed a real violin bow. American cigarettes were valuable currency, and I was glad I hadn’t smoked mine.

Finally there came the day I lifted the finished instrument to my chin. Would it really play? Or would it be a croaking catastrophe? I drew the bow across the strings and my heart leaped as a pure resonant sound echoed through the air. Everyone clapped, sang, and even danced as I played ”Red Wing,” “Home on the Range” and “Red River Valley.”

My most memorable moment was Christmas Eve. As my buddies brooded about home and families, I began playing “Silent Night.” As the notes drifted through the barracks a voice chimed in, then others. Amid the harmony I heard a different language.  ”Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht, alles schläft, Einsam wacht . . . ” An elderly white-haired guard stood in the shadows, his eyes wet with tears.

The following May we were liberated by U.S. troops. Through the years, the violin hung proudly in a display cabinet at home. As my four children and six grandchildren grew, it became an object lesson for escaping the narcosis of boredom.

“Find something you love to do,” I urged, “and you’ll find your work a gift from God.” I’m happy to say all of them did. In the fall of 1995 I was invited to contribute the violin to the World War II museum aboard the aircraft carrier Intrepid in New York. I sent it hoping it would become an object lesson for others. But I was not prepared for the surprise that followed. I was told the concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic would play it at the museum’s opening. Afterward he called me.  ”I expected a jalopy of a violin,” said maestro Dicterow, “and instead it was something looking very good and sounding quite wonderful. It was an amazing achievement.”

Not really, I thought. More like a gift from God.

Guidepost Magazine - January 1997 - by Clair Cline, Tacoma, Washington
Stalag Luft I Prisoner of War

Source: http://www.merkki.com/violin.htm

The Prison Camp Violin is a post from: 16 Strings String Quartet

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Can you feel this Magic in the air?
It must’ve been the way you kissed me
Fell in love when I saw you standin’ there
It must’ve been the way
Today was a fairy tale
It must’ve been the way
Today was a fairy tale …

You have thought about your wedding day since you were a little. As a girl, you may have even dressed up as a princess, a bride or maybe Cinderella. You pictured yourself and dreamed about being swept away by your prince charming. Though now you are all grown up, your dream of having a Fairy Tale wedding did not diminish. Now is the time to prepare for, and transform your dream into reality….

You will need the dress, the location, the makeup, the shoes and don’t forget the rings, there will be stationary to design, menus to select and guests to invite – it’s so exciting.

But have you though about what wedding music you want on the day to create that romantic atmosphere? But not only the music, but how the music will be played and whom it will be played by? A beautiful string quartet is the perfect fairytale wedding music to have on your  day. Whether it be as you walk down the aisle with the string quartet seradeing you down, pre reception entertainment as your guest wait for you to arrive or your reception dinner music . . . the choice is endless.

From classical through to the jazz favourites and popular contemporary pieces, 16 Strings String Quartet can create the perfect wedding repertoire list to suit your day.

For more information about how 16 Strings String Quartet can make your fairy tale wedding music perfect go to: http://www.16-strings.com.

By Sarah Schelbach

*first paragraph includes the lyrics from the song “Today was a fairytale” by Taylor Swift.

Today Was A Fairytale… is a post from: 16 Strings String Quartet

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Something a little different today…

It’s not wedding related (although this is a wedding blog) but thought I’d share it anyways because it’s ‘good food for thought’:

I was down at our local shopping centre today grabbing a coffee and as I was sitting down and taking a ‘selah’ moment, I noticed something a little strange. There was an elderly lady walking backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards (about 15 metres) – and in the time I was there she must have walked past me at least 10 times. I began to wonder what she was doing.

When I was leaving I went over to her and asked her if she was okay. Her answer was ‘No trouble, I like walking it’s passes the time”… I could have dug deeper, but she was quite happy to continue walking so I let her go…

This quick moment in my day made me stop and think about our my own life. We may be so caught up in our own busyness of life, that we may forget to stop and see if where we can lend a helping hand to someone else around us. Each day is a gift and as I get older I’m learning more and more that it’s important to ‘walk slowly through the crowd’.

Never lose the heart of concern for others,  because one day you may just need it yourself.

Sarah Schelbach

Don’t Be Caught Up In The Busyness Of Life is a post from: 16 Strings String Quartet

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I came across an awesome document that assists couples when writing their own wedding vows. Although this blog is a String Quartet Blog, it’s also a Wedding Blog so whenever we come across a good article or a interesting wedding tip we like to pass it on… Hope it helps:

Questions to help you when writing your own wedding vows.

Print out two copies of these questions. Take one and give the other to your fiancé and take two blank pieces of paper each also. Go to separate rooms to complete these questions.

WARNING! This is going to require you to be a bit mushy and sappy. You can do it! Just mean what you say, feel it within, and it won’t seem so sappy anymore.

1. Write down any scriptures or other readings for your wedding (or make sure to bring them with you).
2. Write down your favorite lines from any solos being sung at your wedding or from your First Dance song.
3. Write down any favorite quotes you may have or sayings that have been meaningful to your relationship.
4. On the blank piece of paper you brought with you, write a letter to your fiancé using the following instructions:
   • Begin with a salutation that is very heartfelt; For example, “My Dearest…”, or something to that effect.
   • In the first paragraph, tell him/her how much s/he means to you and your life.
   • Begin the next paragraph with the words, “It seems like only yesterday that…” Run with it.
   • In the next paragraph tell him/her how you felt when you realized you were in love with them.
   • In this paragraph, tell him or her what marriage means to you. What aspects of being married are you looking forward to? What are some of your fears? How are you going to address these fears if and when they come about?
   • Finally, close your letter with words of love and thanksgiving for your significant other.
5. Now, get back together with your fiancé and switch both this paper and the letters you have written.
6. When you are finished reading each other’s papers, go back through and underline your favorite sentences or words of your fiancé’s answers and letter.
7. Now, discuss.
8. On another sheet of paper, write down your brainstorms. Start your vows with something close to the effect of “I ______, take you, ______.” or, “I ______ choose you, _______”. This will get the ball rolling. Continue writing, using the sentences and words you found most meaningful to you and your relationship.
9. If you need an example of traditional vows, this might help you:
   

   “In the name of God, I, Name take you, Name to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.”

10. Now, make a copy of your vows for both of you. Stand up, hold hands, and give it a try. When you read your vows look into his or her eyes and pretend that you are actually standing at your wedding. If you find yourself coming close to tears, your attempts have been a success!

Now that you’ve written your vows, have you also thought about the music you’re wanting at your ceremony? Have you considered a live String Quartet?
If you would like 16 Strings String Quartet to quote you on a wedding music go to: http://www.16-strings.com for more information.

Writing Your Wedding Vows is a post from: 16 Strings String Quartet

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The music played on your wedding day is important in setting the tone and mood.

A special song shared between the newlyweds or an upbeat dance number that gets all the guests on the floor will be sure to make your wedding day unique and memorable.

Try to remember that there will be a variety of different people of varying age attending your wedding. This is important when selecting music for the day as most couples want to accommodate their guest’s tastes and play a wide variety of music from romantic ballads to the latest commercial tunes.

Music during the ceremony is usually of a softer and more romantic tone to ease the guests in. Instrumentals (like a string quartet) are a favourite amongst brides and serve as good unobtrusive background music.

If the ceremony is to be held in a church it is important to remember to ask about any restrictions with musical pieces. Some churches may request that only sacred music is featured.

Souce: BrideOnline

Setting The Tone… is a post from: 16 Strings String Quartet

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Your wedding ceremony music create the atmosphere and overall feel of your event. The music selections are usually determined by the personal preferences of the bride and groom.

Below is a simple ceremony music structure for most wedding ceremonies. Also, some song suggestions you may like to consider when having a wedding string quartet:

1. Pre-Wedding Music

The pre-wedding music sets the scene for the actual ceremony. This usually begins approximately 15-20 minutes before the ceremony is scheduled to begin while guests arrive. The music selections are often light and lively, and played in a low volume allowing guests to converse.

Choosing string quartet music for pre-wedding music:
Your pre-wedding music should be easy listening songs setting the scene for the ceremony that’s about to commence. Some of Mozart’s pieces are always a popular choice, alongside Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. But if you wanted a more contemporary sound, Michael Buble, Cold Play and The Beatles are also favorites. Depending on your personal tastes, 16 Strings String Quartet allows you to choose songs from a range of classical, jazz or pop styles. The aim is to have music that suits you, because at the end of the day, it’s your wedding!

2. Processional Music (Walking Down The Aisle)

The first notes of the processional music announce the arrival of the Bride and inform the guests to stand! Because of this, processional music should be joyful and triumphant.

Choosing string quartet music for the processional:
The most popular string quartet processional song that we play is the famous Pachebel’s “Canon In D”. Wagner’s “Here Comes The Bride” is also a popular choice and it quite often used for a church wedding because of it’s traditional sound. But don’t let tradition stop you from you choosing more contemporary pieces like “Bella’s Lullaby” from Twilight, Elton John’s “Your Song” or Jackson Five’s “All Be There”

3. Signing Of The Register

This is the part within the ceremony where the bride and groom sign all the appropriate paperwork to make the marriage legal. As this is done, it is nice to have some background music played to keep the guests entertained.

Choosing string quartet music for the singing:
Like the pre-wedding ceremony music, the song for the signing should be an easy listening piece. Why not choose a song that all your guests may be familiar with. It’s always nice to have a song you can hum to (well that’s what we think anyway). Some popular choices for the signing with 16 Strings are “Someone To Watch Over Me”, U2’s “Chasing Cars”, “The Prayer” or Michael Buble’s “Everything”. For a more traditional choice why not have Beethoven’s “Ode To Joy” or Bach’s “Air On G String” these are both favourites.

4. Recessional Music (Exiting or End Of Ceremony Song)

The recessional music usually begins immediately after the celebrant or minister introduces the new couple to the guests as husband and wife. Like the processional, this music is generally joyful and triumphant.

For a traditional recessional song Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” is the way to go. However, as we’ve already mentioned choose a song that reflects you as a couple. 16 Strings String Quartet have a wide range of pieces to choose from. Some favourite choices are U2’s “Beautiful Day”, ColdPlay’s “Viva La Vida”, “Clocks” and “All We Need Is Love” by The Beatles is also a very popular song with our string quartet.

If you would like to see 16 Strings String Quartet’s full repertoire list with a range of other song choices and suggestions of where those songs should be played in the ceremony click here. Or to hear audio and video examples click here.

Choosing your wedding ceremony music should be fun and not stressful. When hiring professionals to play at your wedding you should have peace of mind that they have your best interest in mind. They should guide you in the music choices, if you are stuck but most of all give you confidence that “they know what they’re doing”. Remember, your wedding ceremony music should reflect you as a couple, making it a memorable day, so choose songs that you love…

If you would like 16 Strings String Quartet to quote you on a wedding ceremony go to: http://www.16-strings.com for more information.

Choosing Your Ceremony’s Music 1-2-3-4 is a post from: 16 Strings String Quartet

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Having a budget for your wedding can help the whole planning process make more sense. Although money has little to do with love, weddings can prove expensive occasions, so it’s really important to determine how much money you will have to work with. These days anything goes when it comes to funding a wedding, from the bride and groom funding the entire event themselves, to the parents assisting with the expenses, and right through to your guests paying for their own meals at the reception.

Regardless of how much money you have, a well planned, well organised budget may help you make the most of any financial situation. You can still have an amazing and perfect day whatever your budget is.

We came across a list which categorizes the key items involved in organizing a wedding and gives you a guide to who pays for what (traditionally). Obviously this is only a guide and it doesn’t list monetary amounts, but it definitely puts the day in to perspective. After you’ve worked out who’s paying for what, you can then start getting quotes and begin booking and organising specifics for the day. Eg. Booking a string quartet for your ceremony music &/or reception!

Wedding Catergory List (Guide Only)

Beauty
Bride’s Hair ………………………………….. Bride
Bride’s Makeup …………………………….. Bride
Bridesmaid’s Hair & Make-up ……………. Bride

Bridal Party
Bridesmaids’ Dresses & Accessories ……. Attendant
Flower girl’s Dresses & Accessories ……… Bride
Groomsmen’s Suits & Accessories ………. Attendant
Pageboy Suit & Accessories ………………. Goom

Bride’s Attire
Bride’s Gown ………………………………… Bride’s Family
Bride’s Headpiece & Veil ………………….. Bride’s Family
Brides Shoes & Accessories ………………. Brides Family

Ceremony
Celebrant or Officiant …………………….. Groom
Ceremony Decorations …………………… Groom
Ceremony Musician ……………………….. Groom
Ceremony Venue ………………………….. Groom

Flowers & Decoration
Bride’s Bouquet ……………………………. Groom
Bridesmaids’ Bouquets …………………… Groom’s Family
Ceremony Flowers …………………………. Groom’s Family
Flower girl’s flowers ………………………… Groom’s Family
Groom’s Boutonniere ……………………… Groom’s Family
Groomsmen’s Boutonniere ………………. Groom’s Family
Reception flowers & Centrepieces ………. Bride’s Family

Gifts
Bridesmaids gifts ………………………….. Bride
Gifts for Parents …………………………… Bride & Groom
Groomsmen’s Gifts ……………………….. Groom

Groom’s Attire
Groom’s Shoes and Accessories …………. Groom’s Family
Grooms Suit …………………………………. Groom’s Family

Honeymoon & Travel
Spending Money …………………………… Bride & Groom
Honeymoon Travel & Accommodation …. Groom
Wedding Night Accommodation …………. Groom

Misc
Bomboniere ……………………………….. Bride & Groom
Rehearsal Dinner …………………………. Groom

Wedding Photography & Videography
Extra Prints & Video Copy ……………….. Bride & Groom
Photographer’s Fee ………………………. Bride’s Family
Videographer’s Fee ………………………. Bride’s Family

Wedding Reception
Beverages – Alcoholic & Softdrink ………. Bride’s Family
Master of Ceremonies ……………………. Bride’s Family
Reception Meals …………………………… Bride’s Family
Reception Music …………………………… Bride’s Family
Reception Venue ………………………….. Bride’s Family
Wedding Cake …………………………….. Bride’s Family

Wedding Rings
Bride’s Wedding Band …………………… Groom
Groom’s Wedding Band …………………. Bride

Wedding Stationery
Invitations & Reply cards ………………… Bride’s Family
Thank you notes & Placeholders ……….. Bride’s Family

Wedding Cars
Transportation …………………………….. Groom

Wedding Planning
Wedding Consultant ……………………… Bride & Groom

Note: This is a guide only and shouldn’t necessary reflect your circumstances. As mentioned before, these days anything goes when it comes to funding a wedding, from the bride and groom funding the entire event themselves, to the parents assisting with the expenses, and right through to your guests paying for their own meals at the reception. So there is no rules, you can do what you want!!

catergory list source: truebride

When planning a wedding, who traditionally pays for what? is a post from: 16 Strings String Quartet

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When considering whether you will book a string quartet or a string trio, you most likely don’t know the difference between the two.

16 Strings String Quartet only offers the quartet option because we believe that four instruments create a much fuller and richer sound then just having three. With the extra violin, it allows us to include additional harmonic sounds , that builds the melody line creating a beautiful rich atmosphere. The additional instrument especially compliments pop and jazz music as it allows us to be more creative with our music arranging (more parts = fuller sound.)

But don’t take our word for it – we have prepared an excellent audio example for you to listen to, that will clearly present to you the difference in sound  between a trio and a quartet. To view please click here: http://www.16-strings.com/quartet-vs-trio

What’s The Difference Between A String Quartet & A Trio? is a post from: 16 Strings String Quartet

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New video which includes some sample songs – enjoy!

String Quartet Brisbane & Gold Coast is a post from: 16 Strings String Quartet

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From the 16th century to the present, a European and now Australian church weddings (in the last 200 years anyway) often involves the bride walking slowly down the church aisle to a processional tune and returning together with her new husband to a lively recessional tune.

For over 100 years the most popular processional has been Wagner’s Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin (1850), often called “Here Comes The Bride”. For the recessional the most popular tune is Mendelssohn’s Wedding March from A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1826). Both apart of 16 Strings repertoire list.

As the couple leave the church, bells are rung. During the service there will be a few hymns, often chosen by the bride. The law now requires paper documentation so there is an extra piece of music while the couple retires to sign the register. This might be a reflective piece such as Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”.

After the few photographs the reception follows. This is a meal followed by a dance. In previous centuries the newlyweds would be the first to dance and then they would separate to dance briefly with each of the other people present. Only the most conservative or wealthy weddings now have couple dancing.

…

So as you can see weddings haven’t really changed all that much since the 16th century. However, the type and style of music that is chosen has changed. Although the traditional songs are still a popular choice for many modern brides, many young couples today prefer the more contemporary sound.

The great thing about a string quartet in the 21st century is that you can have a traditional look with a contemporary sound!

For more information on having a string quartet for your wedding in either Brisbane or Gold Coast go to : http://www.16-strings.com

source: http://weddingmusicblog.blogspot.com/

Wedding Music Yesterday And Today is a post from: 16 Strings String Quartet

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