Music Jokes!

Sometimes, in the muggy, smoky, Treasure Valley heat, you just need a good giggle.

So, here are some string-quartet-related jokes to bring you a smile:

Q: What is the difference between a violin and a viola?
A: Nothing.  Violins look smaller because violinists' heads are so much bigger.

From http://cheezburger.com/6717595904

Q: Why is a cello solo like a bomb?
A: By the time you hear it, it's too late to do anything about it.

Q: How do you tell the difference between a violinist and a dog?
A: The dog knows when to stop scratching.

Q: What is the latest crime wave in New York?
A: Drive-by viola recitals.

Q: What's the difference between a viola and a trampoline?
A: You don't have to take your shoes off to jump on the viola.

Q: What's the definition of a string quartet?
A: A good violinist, a bad violinist, an ex-violinist, and someone who hates violinists.

Q: What do a cello and a lawsuit have in common?
A: Everyone is happy when the case is closed.

Sources:
http://www.cello.org/heaven/silly/jokes.htm
http://suewidemark.com/violinjokes.htm
http://www-cs-students.stanford.edu/~dufour/HUMOR/music.html

Art Sip

The members of Prism just arrived home from our gig for the Meridian Arts Foundation.

We got to perform for Art Sip 2014 - an event at the Something Special Antiques garden in Meridian, Idaho.  Beside a huge, historic home that has been converted to an antiques shop, tables and canopies were set up in the grassy yard.  There, guests could purchase a ticket and enjoy a silent art auction, food and wine by local artisans, a chalk art contest, skits from members of a local theater company, and of course, music from Prism.  

We played from 6-9 with the occasional break for snacks, announcements, and for the theater group's dramatic reading of a portion of Charlotte's Web.

Tolleth House (From wearehistory.com)

In the 95 degree heat, we had to re-tune often (since temperature very strongly affects string instruments).  But, we soldiered on and had a wonderful time.  A few people even danced to our music...

Since our last gig, the backyard wedding, included a lot of fun, well-known songs, we played many of the same tunes.  However, we also added some other fun pieces, like Music of the Night/Phantom of the Opera, The Pirates of the Caribbean, and a charming rag called Country Club.  

For more information about the new Meridian Arts Foundation, visit their website at http://meridianartsfoundation.blogspot.com/.  They also work closely with the Meridian Arts Commission, and are working hard to grow their organization so they can help more people access great art, music, and theater events in Meridian.  They also fundraise so that they can soon provide grants to great arts programs or groups who need support from the community. 

Visit them, or Something Special Antiques, and to support the arts in Meridian!

What's an outdoor wedding without sprinklers?

The temperature in Boise ID on Saturday was a toasty 96 degrees Fahrenheit, but that wouldn't stop Prism from helping a couple enjoy their wedding!

The wedding during which we performed on Saturday evening was a great example of how you don't have to rent a huge venue to celebrate a beautiful, heartfelt marriage.  We got to play in the dappled shade of a tree in an immaculately landscaped backyard while the couple was married under a simple tulle-draped arbor in the company of about 30 close friends.  Guests sat under a white canopy, and the tables were decorated with purple flowers.

We played for the prelude before the ceremony, 3 songs for the ceremony itself, and then for about half an hour afterward while guests mingled, pictures were taken, the caterers set out their dinner fare, and the dance DJ set up his sound system.  (Many people like to have the mellower, classical feel of a quartet before and during the ceremony, but then want to be able to get jiggy on the dance floor later.  Having both a quartet and a DJ is a great option!)

This couple won our services at an auction put on by Saint Luke's Hospital, and we were happy to be able to share their big day.  They wanted some classic tunes before the ceremony, but liked a lot of Diane's arrangements of well-known songs.  So, we played some classical favorites like Rondeau by Mouret, Hornpipe from The Water Music by Handel, and some Canon in D by Pachelbel (the bride entered to that piece).  But, we also played tunes like Happy Together, Can't Help Falling in Love, Anything Goes, Kokomo, Got to Get You Into My Life, and Aquarius.  The bride even exited to Enya's popular song, Orinoco Flow.

About half-way through the ceremony, the neighbor's sprinklers came on and gave us a light mist and the occasional spray over the fence.  We have to be very careful about water and our instruments.  But, in yesterday's heat, it was a refreshing (if unexpected!) treat as we performed.  :)