Where Words Fail, Music SpeaksAs we look ahead to the new year, our team has taken time to reflect on our experiences during 2019. We had the opportunity to be a part of almost 600 events where the power of music was evident. Below we have shared some of our favorite memories from performing at retirement centers, accompanying for local schools, and providing music for wedding ceremonies.  MUSIC FOR SENIORS"Nathan, [my son], and I were playing at Savannah Grace and there were several of the residents in assisted living present who had pretty significant health challenges. They rolled one elderly lady into the room and she just stared out the window while we played. I suspected she was suffering from dementia, so we just pressed on with our program.
One lady mouthed the words to a Beatles tune while I played, and a couple of folks knew the words to “Can’t Help Falling In Love” that Nathan played on the ukulele. Still, the one lady continued to stare out the window... Nearing the end of the hour, I began to play "Edelweiss," from The Sound of Music. Suddenly, the lady appeared to awaken as she began to sing along...
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 We’ve all been to those events: one whose ambience is composed of awkward silence in-between music tracks and one that goes above and beyond with its seamless melodic art. You can thank the accompanist for that. Whether it be a wedding, a retirement gathering, or a choral concert, accompanists keep the music going and create the mood for the event. What qualities should you search for in an accompanist? I hope this blog will help you be better prepared when choosing an accompanist by knowing what skills are most important to ensure a smooth performance. Katie Hardwick, choral director at Cane Bay Middle School in Summerville, SC and Rachel Premo, accompanist with Lowcountry Pianist & Company, have shared their professional insight for knowing what to look for when hiring an accompanist for your event!
#1. FLEXIBILITY Accompanists are there for your special day. Whether it be a wedding, an audition, or a party, their goal is to help you in any way they can with their services, namely adapting to how your event unfolds.
Katie Hardwick believes some of the qualities found in a good accompanist are, “kind[ness], understanding, dependability, and focus.” To make this easier, Katie suggests that “memorizing large passages, practicing and sight reading frequently” helps sharpen an accompanist's flexibility... |
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© 2024 Lowcountry Pianist & Co. LLC
All Rights Reserved.
© 2024 Lowcountry Pianist & Co. LLC
All Rights Reserved.