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Hawaiian Music

By | August 28, 2009

: Image via Wikipedia

Hawaiian music is a very important part of the Hawaiian culture. In the ancient day, chants and songs, or “mele,” were used to tell tales and myths from generations past in the absence of a written language. Today, the importance of music lives on through the voices and words of dozens of different local artists and entertainers. From the traditional Hawaiian sounds of drums to the more contemporary slack key guitars and ukuleles, local music has been adjusted to people of different tastes.

The musical duo The Brothers Cazimero is one of the most popular groups in the islands and is comprised of Robert and Rolan Cazimero. Robert plays the bass while Roland plays the twelve-string guitar. During their career, they have received twenty-five Na Hoku Hanohano Awards and were also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Hawaiian Music Album in 2005. There famous melodies and music have been heard around the world. Accordingly, the group has become an ambassador of aloha and brings smiles and cheer to a variety of venues throughout the islands and the mainland United States. Singing with the likes of Henry Kapono Kaaihue, Israel Kamakawiwoole, and Crystal Pahinui, the Brothers Cazimero have continued the Hawaiian legacy of stories through song.

Topics: Hawaii Music | 1 Comment »

Here’s Some Tips to Hiring Musicians

By | July 22, 2009

: Image by Lutz-R. Frank via Flickr

Hiring musicians to perform at special events such as weddings, Christmas parties, or company functions can make the event that much more enjoyable and memorable. However, for many, hiring musicians is a once-in-a-lifetime thing that booking the musicians may seem like an unfamiliar and daunting task. But don’t worry, with a few tips and guidelines, you will be on your way to creating that special day.

The first and foremost tip is to start searching as early as you can. You may not realize it, but there are a lot more musicians out there than you think, and many of them get booked well in advance. It is important that you have a general idea of what you’re looking for and that you find a musician who offers music that will create the mood or theme that you desire. Music can often determine wether an event is relaxed, formal, or informal. Share all of your ideas with the musician you wish to hire, because it is their job to serve you and turn your ideas into reality.

When speaking with the musician you wish to hire, you may want to ask about and confirm their availability, rates, experience, song lists, and especially additional costs. It may also be wise to research their background to find any references or testimonials. Some time before the day of the event, communicate with the musician to confirm that everything is going as planned so that your special day goes smoothly. Although a good musician or ensemble should be able to provide a full selection of background music on the day of the event without you having to spend much time going over the choice of songs, you may want to see if they have an website or other source that publishes their repertoire. That way, you can see if their are any songs you would like to request, or any songs you would not like them to play. Also, if their is a specific piece that you would like them to play that is not on their repertoire, many groups will arrange and learn any song for a small fee.

Some other little details to consider before your event are things such as dress, the location where the musicians will play (such as outside or inside), breaks, and the schedule or timetable of the event. Although tips are welcomed by musicians, tips are not required nor expected. Lastly, be sure to confirm with the musicians the date and time, as well as any last minute changes.

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About Us

By | May 14, 2008

Anima Strings was founded in the summer of 2003 in Austin, Texas.
The group of four young women quickly found themselves playing together for engagements

all across town. These include weddings and banquets, as well as public events.

Anima is comprised of four vibrant music students who share a singular love
of music and wish to spread their love of music to all of humankind.
The quartet was forged with a passion for chamber music that can be
satisfied only by sharing it with others.

We are often asked how we decided on the name “Anima.”
“Animus” is the dominant latin term for the english word “soul.”
Creating music together takes a great deal of heart and soul.
We use the feminine form of the latin, “Anima.”
Loosely translated, our name is “Soul Strings.”

Anima has performed publicly on numerous occasions in Austin and the surrounding area.
In September 2003, the quartet played in the lobby of Bass Concert Hall
preceding the first Austin Symphony Orchestra performance of the 2003-2004 season.
That same year, Anima was asked to play at the Texas Music Project’s
“Music Matters” Rally for Music Education, downtown. The quartet was photographed
and featured in the Southwestern Musician, a music educators’ journal.
In 2003 and 2004, Anima performed at the Austin ISD New Teachers Convention,
and was featured at the Austin ISD Art Gallery in March of 2004.
In addition, Anima has performed at various AISD conferences and banquets
and has performed at Starbucks Coffee House during the Holiday season.

Anima strives for professionalism and quality performance.
It is our goal to leave our clients satisfied to the best of our ability.
Our ensemble survives mainly upon the referrals of our former clients.

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pictures

By | May 13, 2008

After a concert in Austin, Tx
February 19, 2006

The original Anima String Quartet group
Texas Music Project Rally for Music Education,
Starbucks, downtown Austin, November 3, 2003.

Anima playing in a wedding, October 2003.

Anima, performing in public for its first time, at Bass Concert Hall
on the mezzanine before the first Austin Symphony concert of the year.
Early September, 2003

download broken arrow divx

Laura Pyle, Monica Garcia

Laura Pyle, Monica Garcia, Laura Rodriguez, at Cristo Rey Church after a wedding
October 4, 2003

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Musician Personalities

By | May 13, 2008

Musician Personalities

Laura Pyle
Manager, Violin, Vocals

Laura Pyle is currently pursuing a major in Mass Communication with a minor in Music at Texas State University. She is a graduate of the Liberal Arts and Science Academy at Lyndon B. Johnson High School in Austin. She participated in the UT String Project, the Austin Youth Symphony, the region orchestras, and the Austin Chamber Music Center. Laura has performed with Cowboy celebrity Michael Martin Murphey and performs each year with Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Austin. She has studied with Austin violinists Laurie Stevens and Jennifer Bourianoff, and now studies at Texas State University with Dr. Lynn Ledbetter.

In addition to her violin activities, this young musician has been a part of Austin Musical Theater, Broadway Texas, and Dancers Workshop productions. Laura Pyle was a member of the Austin Girls’ Choir from the age of nine to eighteen, and performed with the ensemble in Austin Lyric Opera’s La Boheme and Ballet Austin’s Nutcracker, on the stage of New York City’s Carnegie Hall and toured along the East Coast, in New Mexico, Louisiana, California, Florida, England, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Currently, along with studying privately with Dr. Ledbetter, Laura plays in the Texas State Symphony, and leads worship at the Campus Christian Community of Texas State, where she sings and plays violin. Music is a very integral part of Laura’s life and upon graduating from the University, she plans to teach privately and remain active in chamber ensembles for the duration of her career.

Sandra Monica Garcia-Landois

Violin

Monica Garcia is a Violin Performance Major at Texas State University. She is a graduate of the Fine Arts Academy at McCallum High School, where she was concertmaster of the Chamber Orchestra.

Monica was a student of the University of Texas String Project for eight years and also a member of the Austin Youth Symphony. She participated in Austin Chamber Music Center’s summer workshops and the Grammy program at McCallum High School throughout the year, where she was carefully coached by Austin bassist, Jessica Gilliam-Valls. In 2005, Monica performed with Michael Martin Murphy with the Texas State Symphony at Bass Hall.

The aspiring violinist is also an accomplished dancer, and was featured in multiple dance shows at McCallum each semester. In high school, Monica studied regularly with Austin Symphony Orchestra (ASO) violin II principal, Richard Kilmer.

Monica was accepted into the Music School at Texas State University, where she now studies with Dr. Paula Bird.

Laura Rodriguez
Viola

Laura Rodriguez is a Psychology major with a minor in Music at Texas State University - San Marcos. She is a graduate of Bowie High School, where she was principal violist of the most advanced orchestra.

She has also participated in the Austin Youth Symphony, the high school region orchestras and attended Texas State University’s summer strings camps in San Marcos. In 2005, Laura performed at Bass Hall with Michael Martin Murphey in the Texas State Symphony.

Laura studied with Austin violists Ames Asbell and Aurelien Petillot throughout her high school career.

The accomplished violist now studies regularly with Professor of Viola, Dr. Ames Asbell at Texas State University, where she is co-principal of the viola section in the Symphony.

Huitzin Chavez
Cello

Huitzin Chavez is an accomplished Austin cellist who began playing at the age of eight in the University of Texas String Project. Huitzin participated in the Austin Youth Orchestras for six years, the All Region Orchestras for seven years, and made the All State Orchestras in his tenth and twelth grade years at Crockett High School.

The young cellist studied in the Austin Chamber Music Center for five years and has trained with both the Cavani String Quartet and the Cuarteto Latino Americano, as well as many other artists. Huitzin can now be found playing popular Latin music with CHINAMPA here in Austin as an electric bass and guitarron player.

Anima also has a number of qualified guests and substitute players.
Musicians we have performed with as subs include:
Aisling Grogan, violin
Phoebe Hunt, violin
Ollin Chavez, violin
Rita Andrade, viola
Natalie Phillips-Perkoff, cello

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Music

By | May 13, 2008

We want to help you have the most memorable experience possible.
If you wish, we can help you to select pieces for parts of the ceremony.

To listen, please visit our MySpace website:
Click here to hear us play!

Traditional Wedding
Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride), Wagner
Wedding March (Midsummer Night’s Dream), Mendelssohn

Upbeat Selections
Allegro in D, Vivaldi
Alleluia (Exsultate, Jubilate), Mozart
Brandenburg No. 3 (Moderato), Bach
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Allegro), Mozart
The Four Seasons (suite), Vivaldi
Hornpipe (Water Music), Handel
La Rejouissance (Royal Fireworks), Handel
Les Folies D’Espagne, W. E. Rhoads
Marriage of Figaro March, Mozart
Minuet, Boccherini
Rigaudon, Campra
Rondeau (Masterpiece Theatre), Mouret
St. Anthony Chorale, Haydn
Te Deum (Preludio), Charpentier
Theme from the 1st Symphony, Brahms
Trumpet Tune, Purcell
Trumpet Voluntary, Clarke
Winter - Allegro, Vivaldi

Slower Selections
Air, J. S. Bach
Aria, J. S. Bach
Aria, G. F. Handel
Ave Maria, Bach-Gounod
Ave Maria, Schubert
Canon in D, Pachelbel
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, J. S. Bach
Meditation (Hansel & Gretel), Humperdinck
Meditation (Thais), Massenet
Minuet from Orpheus, Gluck
Panis Angelicus, Franck
Serenade, Haydn
Sheep May Safely Graze, J. S. Bach
Winter - Largo, Vivaldi

Pop Selections
A Time For Us (Romeo & Juliet), Rota
As Time Goes By, Hupfeld
For You, Burke
Moon River, Mancini
Someone To Watch Over Me, Gershwin

All You Need is Love, Lennon
Eleanor Rigby, Lennon
(I Can’t Help) Falling in Love With You, Weiss
Imagine, Lennon

Ashokan Farewell, Ungar
Danny Boy, Irish Air
Nearer my God to Thee, Mason
The Lord’s Prayer, Mallotte
The Prayer, Foster
Con Te Partiro (Time to Say Goodbye), Sartori
Schindler’s List, Williams

We are rapidly adding to our repertoire - especially the pop section.
If you have a piece of music that you would like the quartet to play,
Please let us know and we’ll make arrangements to obtain the music from you.
Anima has arranged pieces for the quartet on several occasions upon request.

Please contact Anima if you have questions.

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Bookings

By | May 13, 2008

Anima Strings charges $400 for one hour of service, including but not limited to
wedding ceremonies, receptions, holiday store music, open house parties, and banquets.
For weddings, the $400 rate covers an entire ceremony, including fifteen minutes of
prelude music, regardless of how many or few selections you choose to have included.
To have the quartet also play at the reception or for other engagements,
$200 will be charged for each additional hour that follows.

Anima can also be hired as a Trio, Duet, or Solo. Ask for details.

An agreement will be signed by the client and the manager upon booking Anima for an event.
This will be done as soon as a date has been cleared with the ensemble manager.
Your date is not guaranteed until the detailed agreement and a $100 deposit is received.
All checks should be made payable to “Anima Strings.”

When possible, a representative can attend a wedding rehearsal or location meeting for details.
There is a $50 rehearsal fee to have a representative attend, which can be paid at the rehearsal.
The remaining $300 of the performance fee MUST be made PRIOR to the performance.

Be sure to discuss information with us before filling out the agreement.
Email is preferable, because all information can be checked at one time.
Once complete, agreement, deposit, and music planner may be sent to us by mail.
The agreement and deposit must be sent at the time of booking. The Music Planner can be sent later.
The agreement will be signed by the manager and a scanned copy
will be sent to the buyer email address indicated on the agreement.

Attn: Laura Pyle
c/o Anima Strings
1301 Aquarena Springs Dr. #86
San Marcos, Tx 78666

Please contact Anima for more information or to schedule a date with the quartet.
E-Mail: contact@animastrings.com

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