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List of Articles: Helpful Event & Wedding Music Tips & Ideas

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Music Remembrance Articles Table of Contents

Wedding Music

Wedding Music Tips

Wedding Music Ideas

Wedding Song Lists

Wedding Reception Music Tips

Event Music

Tips for Hiring Wedding & Event Musicians

Orlando’s Music Remembrance Musicians
Wedding Music Ideas & Tips. Example wedding musicians

Event Music Tips & Ideas

Singing Telegrams Ideas

Romantic Serenade Ideas

Tips For Musicians

Hire Orlando Jazz Band

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Looking to hire an Orlando jazz band? Here are some helpful tips. There are many kinds of jazz bands that come in many sizes. Depending on the details for your event and the mood you would like to create, these descriptions and tips will help you hire the Orlando jazz band that will be the best choice for your event or wedding. Orlando’s Music Remembrance provides all of the jazz bands below and more.

Hire Orlando Jazz Band. Pictured Saxophonist from Orlando Jazz Band

Sizes and styles of Orlando Jazz Bands

Small Jazz Bands-Hire Orlando Jazz Band

A small band is usually from two to five musicians. A small jazz band is sometimes called a small jazz ensemble or a jazz combo. Different combos play different types of jazz or a mixture of styles.

Dixieland Jazz Band

This small jazz band is perfect for 1920’s, Great Gatsby, New Orleans and Casino themed events. It is also great for “wake up my business convention”, events wanting some fun energetic music, parades and New Orleans funerals.

Orlando Dixieland Bands performs 1920’s style jazz. They are often referred to by these names:

  • New Orleans Jazz Band
  • Traditional Jazz Band
  • Great Gatsby Jazz Band or Great Gatsby Jazz Orchestra (when called this Great Gatsby costumes are normally worn)
  • Brass Band
  • New Orleans Brass Band
  • Society Jazz Orchestra

When used for funerals the same bands are also referred to by these names:

  • New Orleans Funeral Band
  • New Orleans Funeral Processional Band
  • Dixieland Parade Band
  • Funeral Processional Band
  • Dixieland Funeral Band

Dixieland Jazz Bands comes in different sizes. These are the most popular:

  • Smallest: Trumpet, Tuba or Upright String Bass, Piano or Banjo
  • Small: Trumpet, Tuba or Upright String Bass, Piano or Banjo, Trombone
  • Medium: Trumpet, Tuba or Upright String Bass, Piano or Banjo, Trombone, Drums or Clarinet
  • Full Tradition Band: Trumpet, Tuba or Upright String Bass, Piano or Banjo, Trombone, Drums and Clarinet

Note – For dixieland bands performing for a parade:

  • Snare drum replaces piano, banjo or accordion
  • Add a bass drum for a full parade band
  • Tuba replaces upright string bass
Mardi Gras Band

This band is perfect for New Orleans, Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday themed events and parties

People call a Dixieland band used for mardi gras events a mardi gras band. Some mardi gras bands play Cajun influenced music or zydeco music in addition to or instead of dixieland jazz. Some mardi gras bands use accordion to give a New Orleans Cajun flair. Otherwise, the instrumentation is the same as dixieland bands. Mardi gras bands perform for Fat Tuesday parties and parades. In mardi gras bands performing for a parade, snare drum replaces piano, banjo or accordion and they usually add a bass drum. Different names for mardi gras bands:

  • Mardi Gras Band
  • Mardi gras parade band or second line band
  • New Orleans parade band
  • Zydeco band
  • Cajun Jazz band
  • Parade brass band
  • Brass Band
  • New Orleans parade band
Swing Band

Swing Bands are great for themed WWII era events, dancing and assisted living concerts.

These jazz bands come in small size and big band sizes. They play music from the swing era and retro-swing or jump swing music like Jump, Jive and Wail. A traditional instrumentation is singer, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, upright string bass and drums.

Jazz Combo

Some small jazz bands play a variety of music or just one of the many jazz styles. These bands are great for wedding cocktail music, background music for dinner or events and assisted living concerts.

  • Cool jazz – a mellow sounding jazz style
  • Bebop jazz – a virtuosic jazz club or concert style jazz
  • Jazz Fusion – a mix of rock styles and jazz. Some jazz fusion bands perform pop songs with jazz saxophone, trumpet and/or trombone
  • Variety small jazz band plays a mix of all jazz styles including swing. They leave out bebop jazz unless the event is a concert.

People also refer to small jazz bands as:

  • jazz combos
  • small jazz group or small jazz band
  • cocktail jazz group or cocktail jazz band
  • jazz band

Big Bands – Hire Orlando Jazz Band

These bands are perfect for WWII era themed events and swing dancing. Because of the size the are best suited to medium to large spaces and larger budgets.

Big Bands are large jazz bands that play swing music. Most big bands perform swing music from the swing era/WWII era. Because of the number of musicians these are more expensive than small jazz bands.

The traditional instrumentation for big bands is 5 saxophones, 3 trombones, 4 trumpets and piano, bass, drums and vocalist. Smaller big bands between big band size and Swing Band Combo are available.

All these Orlando Jazz Bands and more are available at www.MusicRemembrance.com. To hire your own Orlando jazz band contact us.

Top 10 Traditional String Wedding Music Songs

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string wedding music, violinThere are many beautiful classical pieces string wedding music.  These are what I believe are the ten most popular for wedding ceremonies.

String wedding music is elegant and understated. It stands alone and creates a sophisticated elegant mood. To add royal grandeur to the bridal entrance, add a fanfare before the bride on fanfare trumpets or add a trumpet, organ, brass quartet or quintet to the bridal processional song.   I am suggesting songs below that this works especially well with.

1  Canon in D by Pachelbel

This beautiful and elegant song has a calm sophisticated sound.  It is commonly called Pachelbel’s Canon and is often seen spelled in its original German spelling of kanon. Because of its mellow sound it is often used for bridesmaids or for brides that would like an understated elegant entrance rather that a grand royal entrance. This song is probably the most famous string wedding music.

2.  Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach

You may not be familiar with the name of this song but I think almost everyone will recognize it.  It is understated and elegant and often used for mother’s seating, bridal party or for an elegant bridal entrance.

3. Wedding March by Mendelssohn

This song is the traditional song for the recessional (bridal party exit music at the end of the wedding ceremony).  You will recognize this one right away.  Most Catholic and some other churches do not allow this song because it is not a sacred song.

4.  Bridal Chorus also known as Here Comes the Bride by Wagner

This is the most traditional song for the bridal processional and is familiar to everyone.  It is so recognizable that it is only used for the bride and would not be a good choice for the  bridal party.  If it is used people may stand, expecting the bride.   Most Catholic and some other churches do not allow this song because it is not a sacred song.

5. La Rejouissance by Handel

This grand piece is used for processionals and recessionals.  Adds a royal flair to your wedding.  Some brides and grooms add brass or organ to bump it up another notch.

6. Trumpet Voluntary, J. Clarke

This wedding song is also commonly know as The Prince of Denmark March.  You will also find the Trumpet Voluntary incorrectly listed as being composed by Purcell.  It is often confused with Trumpet Tune which is another wedding song.  The Trumpet Voluntary is most commonly performed on the trumpet but sounds elegant performed by violin, string quartet and other string wedding ensembles.  For a more grand entrance, add a trumpet to your string trio, string quartet or string orchestra.

7. Air on the G String by Bach

Often called Air from Suite in D, This subdued beautiful song will make your heart melt.  Most often used for prelude, unity candle, sand ceremony, mother’s seating, it can be breathtaking for a bridal entrance.

8. The Hornpipe from the Water Music by Handel 

This Upbeat Royal sounding music is used most often for the wedding recessional (the bridal party exit back down the aisle after the ceremony).  This song couldn’t be more celebratory sounding.  It is also occasionally used for the bridal party or bride processional.  To make a jaw dropping celebratory song, add trumpet, organ, brass quartet or quintet.

9. Ave Maria by Schubert

This song is beautiful and reflective with a subdued quality.  Used commonly for prelude, unity candle, sand ceremony and mother’s seating it is also used often for bridal party processional music and bridal entrance music.  This song is perfect for church weddings and is a standard for Catholic weddings. There are many composers that have written songs named Ave Maria so make sure to specify to your wedding musicians. The Schubert Ave Maria is most often confused with the lesser known but also beautiful Ave Maria by Bach.

10.  A Little Night Music by Mozart 

This piece is most commonly referred to with its German name Serenade from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.  This song will be very familiar to your guests.  It can be used for all parts of the ceremony.

Two more popular string wedding music songs to consider

Trumpet Tune by Purcell and Rondeau by Mouret These two songs are best known for being performed on brass instruments but are very commonly played by solo violin, string quartet and other wedding string music ensembles.  They are used for all parts of the ceremony except unity candle and sand ceremony.  For extra grandeur and trumpet, organ, brass quartet or quintet.

Now it’s time to decide which wedding string ensemble is the best for your wedding.  You may choose from everything from solo violin to string orchestra. Click here for tips for selecting the perfect string ensemble for you and lists of wedding string ensembles.  For more wedding music tips & ideas visit our blog.

Complete List of Bride Entrance Songs

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Bride Entrance Songs, Wedding church aisleLooking for the perfect bride entrance song for your wedding?  This list gives you lots of processional songs to choose from. The list is separated into two categories traditional bride entrance songs and modern entrance songs.  Within each category are processional songs with a grand sound, romantic sound, joyful sound and others to choose from so you may find the perfect bride entrance song for your wedding.

Wedding Song ABC’s

When the bride walks down the aisle that is referred to as processing down the aisle.  The bride entrance song is often referred to as the bridal procession song, bridal processional song, walk down the aisle song and bridal processional music.  The bride entrance song can also be called a wedding processional song but the wedding parties processional songs are also referred to as wedding processional songs.  The song for walking back down the aisle after the ceremony is referred to as the wedding recessional song.

Traditional Bride Entrance Songs

Bridal March by Wagner (Also called “Here Comes the Bride”)
Trumpet Voluntary (Prince of Denmark’s March) by Clarke
Trumpet Voluntary by Stanley
Canon in D by Pachelbel
Trumpet Tune by Purcell
Te Deum by Charpentier
Rondeau (Theme from Masterpiece Theatre) by Mouret
Hornpipe (Allegro Maestoso) from Water Music by Handel
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach
Ode To Joy by Beethoven
La Rejouissance by Handel
Rigaudon by Campra
Ave Maria by Schubert
Spring from the Four Seasons by Vivaldi
Winter from the Four Seasons by Vivaldi
Meditation from Thais by Massenet
Air On A G String by Bach
Sleepers Awake by Bach
Sarabande by Bach
Air on a G String by Bach
Nimrod from Enigma Variations by Elgar
Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral by Wagner
Coronation March for Czar Alexander III by Tchaikovsky
Overture from the Royal Fireworks Music by Handel
Promenade from Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky
Romeo and Juliet Love Theme by Tchaikovsky
Allegro Moderato from Romantic Pieces, Op. 75 by Dvorak
I Was Glad Charles Hubert Hastings Parry – used for Prince William & Princess Kate’s wedding
Clair de Lune by Debussy
Gymnopedies No. 1 by Satie
Highland Cathedral by Phil Coulter (Celtic)
Scotland the Brave (Celtic)
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba by Handel
Air from Water Music Suite by Handel
Procession of Joy by Hopson
Wedding March from The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart
Canzon V by Giovanni Gabrieli
Sinfonia from Cantata No. 156 by Bach
Toccata from L’Orfeo by Monteverdi
Trumpet Tune in A-Major by David N. Johnson
Con Moto Maestoso from Sonatas for Organ, Op. 65, No. 3 by Mendelssohn
All People That On Earth Do Dwell” (“Old 100th” hymn)
Dona Nobis Pacem (16th century hymn)
Hanava Babanot (Hebrew)
St. Anthony’s Chorale by Haydn
Hymn Fanfare from The Triumphant by Couperin
Scalero de Oro (Sephardic)
Ave Maria Virgo Serena by Josquin des Prez
Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen by Brahms
Appalachia Waltz by Mark O’Connor

Modern Bride Entrance Songs

(Performing artists listed rather than composer)

A Thousand Years, Christina Perri
Glasgow Love Theme, from “Love Actually”
Can’t Help Falling in Love, Haley Reinhart
Everything, Michael Buble
Count on Me, Bruno Mars
All of Me, John Legend
Marry You, Bruno Mars
Perfect, Ed Sheehan
La Califfa, Sarah Brightman
Paint the Sky with Stars, Enya
Grow Old with You, Adam Sadler
First Day of My Life, Bright Eyes
I’m Yours, Jason Mraz
Make You Feel My Love, Adele
Here Comes the Sun, Beatles
Golden Hour, Kacey Musgraves
City of Stars (Humming), Justin Hurwitz and Emma Stone
First Day Of My Life, Bright Eyes
The Princess Bride, Mark Knopfler
Now That We Found Love, Heavy D & The Boyz (From the “Hitch” movie wedding scene)
Don’t Stop Believing, Journey, Vitamin String Quartet
For You, Kenny Lattimore
Moon River, Mancini
I Won’t Give Up, Jason Mraz
Here, There and Everywhere, The Beatles
1, 2, 3, 4, Plain White Tees, Vitamin String Quartet
Hallelujah, Jeff Buckley
Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours, Stevie Wonder
Halo, Beyonce
Ho Hey, The Lumineers
Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve
Somewhere Only We Know, Keane, Lilly Allen
Bless the Broken Road, The O’Neill Brothers
Songbird, Eva Cassidy
Bellissimo, Ilya
L-O-V-E, Nat King Cole
All You Need is Love, Beatles (More common as a recessional but used for processional)
Fairytale, Enya
Angel, Robin Thicke
Ribbon in the Sky, Stevie Wonder
This Ring, T. Carter Music
Holocene (Original Bon Iver), Vitamin String Quartet
The Prayer, The O’Neill Brothers
Here We Stand , T. Carter Music
Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Iz
I Won’t Give Up, Jason Mraz
To A Wild Rose, Edward MacDowell
Flatbush Waltz, Andy Statman
Here Comes the Sun, The Beatles
I Was Married, Tegan and Sara
The Look of Love, Dionne Warwick/Burt Bacharach
The Vow, Jeremy Lubbock
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, by Carole King
Dawn, Andrew Lapp
Boom Clap, Charli XCX
Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof
Wedding Processional from The Sound of Music
Rise Up, Andra Day

I hope that you find this list of bridal entrance songs helpful.  Please let us know what you think.  We love to hear from you!

If you can dream it we can provide it

For Romantic musicians, singers, ensembles and bands in Orlando contact Music Remembrance. http://www.MusicRemembrance.com   |  407-240-3945   |   Andrea@MusicRemembrance.com

New Orleans Band Parade

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New Orleans Band Parade in Orlando, FloridaA New Orleans band parade is historically for funerals and are now used for funerals, weddings and events.  The New Orleans parade was originally performed by dixieland jazz bands or dixieland brass bands in the early 1900’s.  The dixieland band processes to the grave site performing slow sad music like “Just A Closer Walk With Thee”.  After the funeral service the band plays upbeat dixieland songs  like “When the Saints Go Marching In” to celebrate their loved one going to heaven to be with God.  Now the celebratory part of the tradition is also used for weddings and events.

The New Orleans band parade is often called  “second line” parade.  This is because when the parades were first done, there would traditionally be a “second line” of people marching along with the band.

Events Using New Orleans Band Parades and Music
  • Funerals:  Traditionally the parade is at the cemetery.  The dixieland band processional leads family and friends on foot, or in cars, to the gravesite.  The band performs slow jazz funeral music until everyone gathers at the graveside.  After the service the dixieland jazz band performs upbeat New Orleans jazz music to celebrate their loved one’s transition to heaven.
  • Memorials: New Orleans jazz music at the memorial service.  The band provides prelude music (music before the memorial service), service music hymns and postlude music or parade out of the service music.  The postlude or exit processional parade music is traditionally upbeat second line music celebrating a love one’s transition to heaven.
  • Weddings:  Use jazz brass band parades for your wedding ceremony recessional (walk back down the aisle at the end of the wedding ceremony) for a memorable surprise for your wedding guests.  Some wedding couples like A parade starting right after you walk back down the aisle.  The most popular New Orleans wedding parade is a parade from the ceremony to the cocktail hour or the cocktail hour to the reception.  What a fun surprise for your guests instead of being herded from cocktails to the reception. A trumpet performing a fanfare to get everyone’s attention and then inviting everyone to join the parade.
  • Conventions/meetings: Wake up everyone at your morning meetings with a New Orleans Brass Band parade though the room performing  fun interactive music.   Imagine your CEO leading the parade with a traditional New Orleans umbrella.
  • Parties and Events:  Nothing livens up a party more than dixieland jazz music.  Choose soft background music or a fun lively performance.
Costumes

Different brass band costumes for different occasions

  • Funerals: The traditional New Orleans band parade Costume (pictured above)
  • Weddings: The traditional New Orleans band parade costume (pictured) with mardi gras beads
  • Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras Parades & Parties: The traditional New Orleans parade costume with mardi gras beads or purple, green and gold mardi gras costumes
Hire A New Orleans Band Parade

In Orlando, Florida, Central Florida and Florida contact Music Remembrance for an authentic New Orleans style brass band performing dixieland second line music.  A large selection of different size brass jazz bands are available.  If you would like, the band continues performing for your event after the parade.

While booking a second line parade, mardi gras parade, dixieland parade, jazz parade, funeral processional, and New Orleans wedding parade, ask your musicians if they are full time performers to get the best bands available. Music Remembrance uses all full time professional musicians.

New Orleans Band parades make your funeral, wedding or event memorable. We hope to be a part or your event. Please let us know how we can serve you.

Great Party and Wedding Themes

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Party & wedding themes, royal, fanfare trumpetsParties and weddings with a theme can be so spectacular and memorable.  A themed event can set a tone of fun, majesty, or opulence.

When using a party or wedding theme, music can play an important role.  Thematic music can elevate your theme to another level and really make the event memorable.  Since you are going to have music anyway, thematic music can also save money in decor, special food, etc., by setting the mood with music. (We can help!)

After selecting a party or wedding theme, think about all the different choices of music ensembles, costumes and songs that you can incorporate.  Orlando has unlimited choices for party and wedding musicians.  If you combine themed music with a beautiful room and food you can’t go wrong

There are many party and wedding themes that I have seen done successfully and memorably.   Here is a list some of these themes and some possible music choices to elevate the themed decor and food to an event everyone will remember.

  • Winter Wonderland Theme: Wedding reception band in white tuxedos and the singer in a while gown with crystals.  You could add winter themed songs in as well.  Have the band bring a snow machine for special effect.
  • Christmas Theme: String Quartet, Carolers or Brass Quintet performing holiday favorites in Norman Rockwell style carolers outfits or simply in tuxes with red bow ties. Add Santa Claus hats for fun.
  • Spring Theme: With a flower filled room have a little tongue in cheek fun with a flower power band playing music or the 70’s.
  • Roaring 1920’s: A lush 1920’s society orchestra or band, decked out in costume, playing the lush beautiful sounds for dinner and then roaring it up with dixieland music for the party.
  • Sock Hop: 1950’s band in costume poodle skirts, greased back hair and rolled up jeans.
  • Mardi Gras:  New Orleans Dixieland Band in traditional New Orleans Parade Costume or bright mardi gras outfits.  Make sure they bring the beads!  It’s great to have the band process in or parade your crowd from the ceremony to the reception or from cocktails to the dinner location.
  • Beach Wedding Theme: Have musicians in Hawaiian shirts, dresses and leis.  The reception band can incorporate Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffet, calypso and other tropical songs,  Add steel drums for that Caribbean resort feel.
  • Western: County Western band for the reception and a solo guitarist/singer for the ceremony.
  • Medieval/Renaissance; Medieval/Renaissance music played on authentic instruments from the time period by musicians dressed in period costume.
  • Cultural Weddings:  There are musicians that perform traditional or modern music from every country available.
  • Princess: Nothing sets a more royal tone than fanfares performed on long fanfare Trumpets.
  • Las Vegas: Wow your guests with a real Las Vegas style show and if you are looking for something on the lighter or humorous side, how about a singing Elvis at the ceremony?
  • Masquerade: A string orchestra playing waltzes and songs for ballroom dancing while wearing costumes and masks will set the stage for your guests.
  • New York Club: A jazz combo or a full big band playing swing music and of course the song “New York, New York”.

Whatever theme you pick you can find the right party or wedding music in Orlando.  Remember to pick your theme very early in your planning so it will be easier to include in invitations, decor, party favors and the menu.  Good luck and have fun with it.