Shadows Ranch Wedding

Yesterday I played a wedding in Georgetown, CO at Shadows Ranch. I played duets with a cellist also from Denver. She was great! Shadows Ranch was a very sweet old country house with a large backyard. It had a small pond and a small lake out back. The wedding was held in the back yard on the lakeside. The bride and groom stood elegantly under a lit gazebo. My favorite part about the wedding was the horse and carriage that took the bride all the way around the lake and then up to the start of the aisle. After the ceremony, the horse took the bride and groom around the lake while the guests gathered to welcome the returning couple in a shower of bubbles. It was so precious! The only negative part about the wedding was that it was planned for 5:30 p.m., outside, in August, in Colorado. That means...RAIN. Fortunately we were set up under a small tent. We had to share the tent with the sound system and we were cramped for room, but we were dry. As far as our instruments were concerned, dry was all that really mattered. The ceremony was short and sweet. There was a poetry reading, personalized vows, and a unity candle lit by the mothers. We played very traditional pieces: Pachebel, both Wedding Marches, and Jesu. The bride had one bridesmaid and one groomsman and a flower girl. The colors were lavender and light blue.

About me

Hello!

My name is Katie and I am a violinist in Denver. It occurred to me yesterday that, being a violinist, I play in so many vastly different locations and occasions. So many occasions call for musicians. Occasions such as weddings, funerals, parties, plays, dinners, grand openings, etc. The list is endless. While most of my jobs are weddings, these weddings spread all across Colorado and range from high priced weddings at places such as the Brown Palace or the Denver Country Club to the smaller budgeted weddings in a couple's backyard. All are so different and so unique. All are wonderful. I feel so blessed to be given the ability to be a part of each special occasion.

I have decided to create a blog to document all of the different places that I play my violin throughout the year.

to start if off....

Yesterday I played for Senator Evie Hudak. She was having a dinner/rally/party at the Jefferson County Education Association. My mom, a coworker, and I were asked to perform for one hour at the beginning of the night. As we arrived and began to play, people of all ages and walks of life were milling about the room. The room was full of tables and chairs, though not many were sitting. Most people were eating and conversing in the back of the room. We began to play, choosing light-hearted, upbeat, classical style pieces that would fill the room with a nice cheery blanket of sound. This particular audience was made up of mostly public school teachers. They all seemed very nice and enjoyed our music immensely. At this function, some audience chose to sit and listen intently, while others continued on with their conversations. As a musician, you never know if you will be listened to or completely ignored. It doesn't particularly matter. You were asked to play, so you play. You play your very best, with the audience in mind. You never know who you will touch with your music.

After we played our hour, Evie approached us and offered her gratitude. She offered for us to stay and partake in the rest of the evening. Mom and I decided to stay only to listen to her speech, which immediately followed our playing. It was very interesting. She had worked against a bill for senate that was trying to end tenure for teachers, or so it seemed. The idea behind the bill seemed to be that the fault of struggling schools and low test scores lie in the hands of the teachers. Evie was fighting, saying that not ALL teachers are bad and that the answer to the school's problems is not to cut funding and teachers, but rather to give more money and more teachers to these schools.

Now I don't know a lot about politics, and I struggle to say what I think the government should do, mainly because I just don't know all the pieces involved. My life, as a student, is so closed off from the rest of the world, I can only see what is going on around me. Because of that, it was very interesting to be involved in last nights gathering, because I was able to witness real politics and real government work. I was able to see evidence of what's happening in my city and behind the closed doors of the government offices.

The passion that the teachers in the room had towards this bill and the future of their schools was incredible to see. They really care about what they are fighting for. It makes me want to run out and do something. Do something for the students, the teachers, the families, whatever. Their passion for teaching and their schools and their kids, makes me want to support them. I don't have any ground to stand on to fight with them, but I can give them my talent. I hope that my playing at their gathering last night was enjoyed. For now it is what I can give to support them.

What a unique event! I am greatful to have been able to witness it.