Mosteller Mansion – Hickory, NC

Despite passing thunderstorms, this wedding party managed to squeeze their outdoor ceremony in between rainshowers! The rain paused just long enough for the happy couple to say their vows in the beautiful courtyard at Mosteller Mansion in Hickory.

I had the honor of being invited to play with flute player Christen Stephens. It had been a while since I’d played with another musician, so I had a great time performing with her. Unfortunately for me Christen will soon be relocating to the Denver, CO area, but if you want to read more about her or know someone looking for a fabulous flute player in Denver, you can learn more here.

To match the formal setting of the mansion, this bride and groom requested classical music as well as traditional hymns. Here is what we played:

Prelude ~ Praise to the Lord, Fairest Lord Jesus, On Wings of Song (Mendelssohn), Finlandia (Sibelius), Ode to Joy (Beethoven), Largo (Handel), Sweet Hour of Prayer, Entr’acte from Carmen (Bizet), The Way That He Loves (Mercer), Air from Water Music (Handel), Arioso (Bach)

Seating of Grandparents and Mothers ~ Trumpet Voluntary (Purcell)

Attendant’s Processional ~ Canon in D (Pachelbel)

Bridal Processional ~ Ave Maria (Bach)

Recessional ~ Simple Gifts (American Traditional)

Postlude ~ Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach)

McEwen Funeral Home

One of the most beautiful verses in the Bible says, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under Heaven…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). These words became truly real to me as I played this week for a funeral of a young woman not much older than I. Even though we had just met, my heart went out to the grieving family and friends gathered to remember this special person.

I was glad I was available to play on short notice for the service held at the McEwen Funeral Home in Charlotte. My part in the service was small, but I thought it really added something special. Just a few minutes before the service was to start I played Amazing Grace. Then to end the service and as everyone was filing out, I played I Can Only Imagine (Mercy Me).

No photos are available out of respect for the family.

My Wedding

My husband and I are celebrating our 11th wedding anniversary this weekend! Since I do a lot of performing at weddings, with subsequent blog posts, I thought it would be fun to write about my own wedding and the music we chose!

Of course the first question you may ask is if we had harp music – I would reply with a resounding YES (of course)! My dear harp teacher who gave me lessons from the time I began playing at age 11 until I graduated high school was the obvious choice as my wedding harpist ♥ Here is what we had:

Prelude ~ Entirely harp music as our guests were arriving. Since I was in the bride’s room nervously straightening my veil I couldn’t tell you what she played, but I’m sure it was lovely!

Processional ~ Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke) played on the trumpet and organ. Of course this piece is also a great bridal entrance with any combination or solo instrument.

Ceremony Music ~ Grow Old Along With Me (Mary Chapin Carpenter) sung by a friend and guitar. This song would be absolutely gorgeous on the harp, for those of you looking for song ideas! Listen here.

Recessional ~ Trumpet Tune (Purcell) with trumpet and organ. I have played this quite a bit on solo harp, and it makes a good Processional OR Recessional.