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Special Events
Weddings
Your wedding is unique. Some couples prefer a traditional ceremony, whereas other couples prefer non-traditional ceremonies. Whether you walk down the aisle or arrive in a canoe, Nicolas will work with you to ensure the music creates an environment that complements your individual vision.
Special Occasions
Make your special event memorable. From birthday, anniversary, and holiday celebrations to art exhibits and club banquets... all occasions are enhanced by the addition of live music. Nicolas plays for small intimate gatherings of just a few people to large events with thousands of people.
Plan music for your special occasion >
Corporate or Company Events
Provide high-quality, live music for your guests and you will reap their praises and compliments. Whether your event is a grand opening, staff celebration, open house, or awards dinner, the ambiance that you establish demonstrates the value you place on your employees and clients.
House Concerts
What could be better than a concert for your friends and guests in the comfort of your own home? House concerts create a wonderful opportunity for music fans to experience the music in an inviting and intimate environment.Plan a house concert in your home >
Weddings
Your wedding is special.
Every wedding is unique. Some couples prefer a traditional ceremony, whereas other couples prefer to create their own type of ceremonies. Whether you walk down the aisle or arrive in a canoe, I will work with you to ensure the music creates an environment that complements your individual vision.
Harp Music for the Wedding Ceremony
In order to assist your planning I have listed the parts of traditional wedding ceremonies in which you might like harp music.
Prelude
This is the music which occurs as your guests are being seated. The length of pre-service prelude music will depend on your wedding location and the number of guests you expect to attend. 15-30 minutes is typical.
Processional
Processional music is played for seating of the parents and grandparents, entrance of the attendants and flower girls/ring bearers. The last and most important part of the processional is, of course, the entrance of the bride. Guests normally stand for the entrance of the bride as she makes her grand entrance; the harp music usually intensifies and the most dramatic processional selections are played for the bride’s entrance.
Ceremony
Many couples request a special song during a moment of reflection, background music for the lighting of a unity candle, or a meditative piece after a prayer. Many shorter services do not require any harp music during the actual ceremony.
Recessional
At the end of the ceremony, after the announcement of the couple, a joyful selection is normally played for the couple and the attendants as they exit.
Musical Selections
Some people have specific melodies they want for their wedding, while other couples simply request that Nicolas select pieces based on the emotions of the moment. One of Nicolas’ unique skills is the ability to adjust the musical intensity, rhythms and length of a piece as appropriate to the moment; imagine a soft flourish each time the flower girl drops a handful of petals, a dramatic grand entrance for the bride, or a prolonged note as the couple lights the unity candle.
Nicolas has a repertoire of hundreds of songs. The following are a few examples of popular wedding selections:
Canon in D (Pachabel)
The Wedding March (Mendelssohn)
Bridal Chorus (Wagner)
Ave Maria (Bach)
Ode to Joy (Beethoven)
Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach)
The Ash Grove
Greensleeves
Nicolas' repertoire includes traditional wedding music, as well as original compositions. If you would like Nicolas to play a specific melody, such as your grandmother's favorite song your niece is going to sing at the wedding, please provide a recording and a few weeks notice and he would be happy to accommodate your request.
Wedding Ceremony and Reception Party Prices
Prices listed are for weekend weddings in the Twin Cities metro area. Nicolas travels for weddings; please inquire for pricing.
Wedding Ceremony:
Includes all music for the complete wedding ceremony (prelude, processional, ceremony, recessional and postlude), as well as consultation prior to your wedding.
$295 for solo harp; $500 for duet, harp and accompanist (guitar, flutes, violin or vocalist)
Wedding Ceremony + Reception or Celebration:
Includes complete wedding ceremony, pre-wedding consultation, and one hour of additional music.
One additional hour: $395 for solo harp; $700 for duet
Two additional hours: $495 for solo harp; $900 for duet
Reception or Celebration Only:
One hour: $250 for solo harp
Two hours: $375 for solo harp
Three hours: $475 for solo harp
Ensemble:
One hour: $450 for duet; $650 for trio; $850 for quartet
Two hours: $675 for duet; $975 for trio; $1,275 for quartet
Three hours: $875 for duet; $1,275 for trio; $1,675 for quartet
Testimonials
"Thank you so much. People are still talking in my small town about the wonderful music at my wedding."
Ytmar
"Thank you so very much for playing at our wedding. Your playing was absolutely beautiful and was commented on again and again by our guests. We found you very friendly, competent and professional, in addition to being a talented musician. We would strongly and happily recommend you to anyone."
Christy
"I cannot thank you enough for the gift of your music. It was our love and your beautiful music that made our wedding the greatest day of our lives. Everyone is still talking about… the music. I felt as if your melodies truly conjured up the past; we were all wonderfully transformed into a bygone era, a simple time. I felt your music called an ancestor. I know my grandfather was with us. Your music was the glue that held all the pieces of love and family, history and hope together that day. We will never forget what you gave us."
Laura and Mike
Special Occasions
Make your special event memorable.
From birthday, anniversary, and holiday celebrations to art exhibits and club banquets… all occasions are enhanced by the addition of live music.
Nicolas will support you by answering your questions and concerns in advance, as well as providing suggestions based on years of experience performing at hundreds of events. Depending the event, the mood you are wanting to create, and your budget, Nicolas will help you determine if solo harp or a trio or other ensemble is a best fit you’re your event.
Nicolas plays the Paraguayan harp, an instrument people don’t see every day! The harp is beautiful to look at and guests will be enchanted by the music.
The instrument itself is a work of art and provides immediate visual appeal – it stands about 5 feet tall, has 36 strings and features ornate carvings that were uniquely, hand-carved by artisans. In addition, the Paraguayan harp has a distinctive sound that offers amazing versatility. The range of musical possibilities is similar to the melodic range of a piano. In addition to playing gentle, soothing harp melodies you may have heard on other harps, the Paraguayan harp was designed to also play festive and energetic melodies. In fact, in Paraguay harp music is often accompanied by dance.
Nicolas has played harp professionally since 1991 and has developed an acute sensitivity to select music that appeals to various audiences. Whether performing solo harp or with an ensemble, Nicolas has a vast repertoire including traditional music from Latin America, classic and popular melodies, and many original compositions in a variety of styles. Nicolas learns by ear and plays from memory without the clutter of a music stand and sheet music. If you would like Nicolas to learn specific songs for your event it is best to send a CD or sound file a few weeks in advance.
Nicolas plays for small intimate gatherings of just a few people to large events with thousands of people. Sound equipment is brought along for extra amplification when needed and volumes will be maintained at a level that is appropriate for the event (background music should allow for conversation and a spotlight performance should fill the space). We understand the music should create and support the mood and atmosphere of your event.
You can count on Nicolas to help you to create a successful event that everyone will appreciate and enjoy!
Corporate Events
Provide high-quality, live music for your guests - you will reap their praises and compliments.
Whether your event is a grand opening, staff celebration, open house, or awards dinner, the ambiance that you establish demonstrates the value you place on your employees and clients.
Live music provides atmosphere and sets a mood. Event participants appreciate the natural sounds of acoustic instruments played with an infusion of authentic feeling and emotion by talented musicians. The difference between live music and pre-recorded music is similar to the difference between attending a show and watching it on TV. Live entertainment makes your event special.
Solo harp music or the full sound of a latin music ensemble is perfect for:
- Receptions or cocktail hours while guests mingle and socialize
- Gala events
- Luncheons or dinners
- Lunch ‘n learn cultural presentations
- Grand openings
- Staff parties
- Sales meetings
- Conferences and Expos
Nicolas has an extensive repertoire of memorized music and will customize the song selection to suit the mood, theme and type of event. He can also read the audience and adjust his repertoire to meet the preferences of your attendees.
Various performance options are available to work within most budgets. Nicolas will ask about number of guests and room size to determine the appropriate level of amplification. Nicolas can provide his own amplification or, if applicable, can plug his microphone into the sound system being used for your event. We understand your event is about creating a pleasant experience for your guests and will never try to become the center of attention. Nicolas is a professional whose goal is to create ambiance or provide entertainment that will make your event a success.
Allow Nicolas to work with you to make your event extra special.
Recent events and venues:
Diversity lunch ‘n learn for staff at Land O’Lakes
Awards Banquet at The Center for Changing Lives
Reception for the newly-elected President of Paraguay at American University
Client reception at Intermedia Arts
Travel Beyond Expo at Landmark Center
Gala event at Metropolitan Community and Technical College (MCTC)
Hispanic Heritage Month performance for employees 3M
Anniversary Reception at Orchestra Hall