1. Prelude

The Prelude includes about 30 minutes of music played prior to the service. This allows time for your guests arrive and to be seated, and to create an appropriate atmosphere.

A list of Prelude music selections is provided below. To view our complete repertoire please click on one of these links: Trio Repertoire / Quartet Repertoire.

Frederick Strings Candle Lighting

The last piece in the Prelude is usually a special selection for the seating of the special people in your life (such as parents and grandparents). If you are lighting a unity candle during your ceremony, the last piece of the Prelude is a perfect time for the mothers to light the “family” candles before the processional begins (see photo above). This gives them a special role, as the father usually gets to walk the bride down the aisle. If you wish, you can let us select the music, or you can choose up to 8 selections, depending on the length of the Prelude.

 
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Air on the G String *
(Bach)

My Heart Ever Faithful
(Mozart)

Alleluia from Exultate Jubilate
(Mozart) **

One Hand, One Heart # **
(from West Side Story)

All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera # **
(quartet only)

Pavane
(Faure)

And On This Day **
(Tina English)

Rhosymedre *
(quartet only, Vaughn Williams)

Amazing Grace **
(traditional religious)

Simple Gifts
(Shaker hymn)

Annie's Song # **
(John Denver)

Sheep May Safely Graze *
(Bach)

Ave Maria *,**
(Schubert)

Sleepers Awake
(Bach)

Ave Maria *, **
(Schubert, with vocalist)

Somewhere in Time
(John Barry)

Be Thou My Vision
(traditional religious)

Spring (from The Four Seasons)
(Vivaldi)

Bist du bei Mir # *,**
(Bach)

The Wedding Song **
(There is Love)

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Allegro)
(Mozart)

Time to Say Goodbye **
(quartet only, Con Te Partiro)

Londonderry Air #
(Danny Boy)

What a Wonderful World
(Louis Armstrong)

O Mio Babbino Caro # **
(Puccini)

 
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* These selections can also be performed with a trumpet.
** These selections can also be performed with a vocalist.
# Not recorded by our musicians, but our versions are very similar.
All selections can be performed by both the quartet and trio unless otherwise noted.