Archive for the ‘Interesting Information’ Category

16 Strings received a lovely testimonial today from a bride and groom that we recently played for at their wedding (see below). However, the part that was the most touching out of the whole testimonial was the P.S at the bottom. The bride commented that because of 16 Strings, her husband was inspired to pick up his violin and start playing again.

To be an inspiration to another, there is truly nothing better in life…

Testimonial:

We wish to thank the 16 Strings quartet for their wonderful performance at our wedding ceremony at the Hyatt Regency, Sanctuary Cove. In planning my wedding, I hoped for an elegant, timeless ceremony, with music to fill our hearts with joy and bring smiles to the faces of our guests, and we could not have chosen better than 16 Strings. I will always remember how it felt to have my husband place my wedding ring on my finger, then hear the stirring opening bars of “the Prayer” performed by the quartet filling the beautiful chapel. Our guests were enthralled, and I cannot recommend your services highly enough.

Kind regards, and Merry Christmas ~Sherlene and Craig

PS: unfortunately your stunning performance has inspired my new husband to pick up his violin again, and he has been stuck on Book 1 of the Suzuki Method for the last 2 years. Pray for me and send Aspirin

Here is also an article from Peter Sinclair of Motivational Memo also talking on the topic of inspiration. Enjoy…

Be The Fire Of Inspire

There is a flame that is lit within my heart every time that I consult with a great mind. It is often sparked by a book, a conversation, a speech, a movie, a song, a scene or even a sign.

And if I am ever ready to be lit up with inspiration, there is an immediate point of ignition from which creative thought, accompanied by corresponding action, is loosed – like rocket fuel. It causes an explosion, and I cannot but be inspired to be transformed into ‘the creator’.

But the fuel best foraged for such momentous events is a life filled with expectation to receive. That alone prepares the recipient for the flash.

For this one has tendered the tinder during the dry times of perspiration and persistence. For this is often the fuel that paves the way for the flood of inspiration that is set to follow; a flood of fire that will engulf all in its path.

It is a consuming burning mass of uniquity’s flame that in turn will then send forth embers designed to inspire one here and another there, so they too can enjoy the eternal flame that has been lit in the hearts of men and women throughout the ages.

For we are as Olympian runners passing the flame one to another until it reaches its destination – the hearts and souls of men.

Refuse to stand as cardboard puppets. Breathe fire. Be as a molten volcano overflowing its rim. Light the candle. Strike the match. Be fired. Be an inferno.

Be inspired. Be an inspiration, and fan ‘the fire of inspire’ to lift you higher and higher. For that same flame that burns within you will warm the multitudes who so desperately seek more than just the cold and leftover morsels that a life lacking in inspiration would only ever offer them to eat.

Peter Sinclair
www.motivationalmemo.com

String Quartet Brisbane | String Quartet Gold Coast

Last night the Gold Coast’s 16 Strings String Quartet had their Christmas party at the Sheraton Mirage.

Next weekend, we’re catching up with the new Brisbane group, we’ll be taking photos for the website. So stay tuned for introductions! 2010 is going to be an exciting year!

Those two Familiar violin strains! One of them was probably 17 years old, wearing a green kalmuk coat with large bone buttons. The coat was much too large for him. He held the violin tightly under his chin; his cap was pulled down over his eyes. His hand was concealed in a fingerless glove; his fingers were red and blue with cold. The other one was older and wore a chenille coat. Both were blind. A little girl, who presumably guided them, stood in front of them, thrust her hands under her scarf. We gathered one by one, a few admirers of those melodies – a postman with his mail bag, a little boy, a maidservant, a couple of dock workers. The elegant carriages rolled noisily by; the carts and wagons drowned out the melodies, which emerged fragmentarily for a moment. You two unfortunate artists, do you know that those strains hide in themselves the glories of the whole world?

Soren Kierkegaard (Danish Philosopher 1813-1855)

Each of us have been dispatched a unique tune that we’ve been created to hum, to sing, or to play – and one of life’s greatest enjoyments is to embark upon the journey of discovery that ultimately unveils the beautiful melody – the one of a kind orchestration-  that is solely ours. It cannot be stolen. It cannot be faithfully copied or imitated. It is ours alone, and it is for us alone to sing.

And it is in that zone that true peace can be attained, and true fulfillment and satisfaction achieved.

And what if we have only been supplied with one string upon which to play our tune, then let us pluck it with all of our might as a master violinist would play a complete instrument. Let us practice day and night – fully committed to becoming grand masters who will usher forth a concerto that will fill the room whenever we enter. Let it pour forth with such clarity and purity of sound, that others will hunger to hear more and be urged to discover their own melody.

For it is as we all stay true to our melodic distribution that we will create, in unison, a symphony – far greater than anything penned by Beethoven.

By Peter G. James Sinclair (www.motivationalmemo.com )

Poem written by: Myra Brooks Welch

It was battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin, but he held it up with a smile.

“What am I bid, good people”, he cried,
“Who starts the bidding for me?”
“One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?”
“Two dollars, who makes it three?”
“Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,”

But, No,
From the room far back a gray bearded man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet
As sweet as the angel sings.

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