Performances
Though the agency was only officially incorporated in the summer of 2008, New Bards Music founder Gabriel Lefkowitz and his colleagues from top music conservatories have been performing at dozens of weddings, receptions, and corporate functions in the New York City area for years.
By no means a complete list of all the events at which we've performed, here are just a few sample programs from recent weddings and receptions:
May, 2009 -- String Quartet
(2 violins, viola, cello)
Knowing that this black-tie dinner was going to be attended by 300 guests, we spoke with the house audio technicians a week in advance and decided that a microphone system would be necessary for us to be heard. On the day of the gala, our string quartet arrived early to do a sound check. We were situated on the podium platform for all to see and proceeded to perform works by Haydn, Mozart, and Dvorak for the cocktail hour and the awards dinner, taking our breaks during speeches and awards presentations.
November, 2008 -- 7 Violinists for
Juicy Couture
Juicy Couture hired us through an event planning company for their invitation-only store opening party at 52nd and 5th in Manhattan. They booked 7 male violinists/violists to play a variety of repertoire from Bach to Pop for an English Boarding School-Themed event. We all dressed in tuxedos, and greeted the guests with our music at the entrance of the store. As the party got going, we spread out throughout the store, each taking a position in a different section of the store, serenading the party-goers. In addition to our music, other live entertainment for the evening included ballerinas, guys on stilts, and a Harlem choir, not to mention the several open bars throughout the store. The event was a smashing success, and we were glad to be a part of it!
September, 2008 -- Piano Trio (violin, cello, piano)
A Jewish Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour at a Kosher Restaurant in Midtown -- we took a lot of requests from the groom for this one and our performance was a perfect balance of Jewish Traditional tunes and light classical works.
Prelude:
"Im Avonos" -- Ura
"Bizchus Yosef Hatzaddik" -- Neginah
"Erev Shel Shoshanim" -- Traditional
Bridal Procession:
"Love Theme" from Braveheart -- James Horner
Cocktail Hour:
We started with some light classical music as people were moving from the ceremony area into the cocktail area (we had quietly moved all of our gear after the bridal procession) and then as more people arrived we began to play upbeat traditional Jewish dance tunes. The children loved it!
September, 2008 -- String Quartet
(2 violins, viola, cello)
A Cocktail Reception at the President's House at Columbia University -- our string quartets are a regular fixture at these events. Planned and executed by the Office of University Programs and Events, these ultra-elegant receptions held in one of the largest private homes in Manhattan (where Dwight D. Eisenhower lived when he was Columbia's president!) celebrate the arrival new faculty, awards presentations, and other special occasions.
For a full two hours while guests mingled and ordered cocktails from the bar, we were situated in a corner and performed various selections by Mozart and Haydn, befitting the elegance and grace of the event.
September, 2008 -- String Quartet
(2 violins, viola, cello)
An Outdoor Wedding Ceremony at Wave Hill -- it was a delight to perform at this beautiful ceremony in a wonderful, open-air garden. The bride, who is herself a musician, communicated to us exactly what she wanted us to perform for each portion of the ceremony.
Prelude:
"Eine Kleine Nacht Musik" -- Mozart
"Sheep May Safely Graze" -- Bach
"Largo from the Double Violin Concerto" - Bach
Full Processional:
"Canon in D" -- Pachelbel
Bridal Procession:
"Largo from 'Winter'" -- Vivaldi
Recessional:
"Bridal Chorus" -- Mendelssohn
August, 2008 - String Quartet (2 violins, viola, cello)
A Catholic Wedding ceremony at the Holy Name of Jesus Church -- we worked closely with the couple, the organist, and the cantor to figure out the best possible musical program for the ceremony. These are the selections from the ceremony that our string quartet performed.
Prelude:
"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by Bach
"Air in F" by Handel
"Sheep May Safely Graze" by Bach
Full Processional:
"Canon in D" by Pachelbel
Bridal Procession:
"Trumpet Voluntary" by Clarke
Presentation of the Flowers to the Virgin Mary:
"Ave Maria" by Bach/Gounod
Recessional:
"Hornpipe from 'Watermusic'" by Handel
