We are pretty sure that this is how agency and corporate event teams would describe their job. A great deal of unpredictability and energy invested for the events to be as original and as creative as possible, a lot of fun for the guests and them going home with new contacts and business ideas.

Regardless of the occasion and venue, music at corporate events is always the star of the evening.

After a corporate event there isn’t a person who stays immune to sound, it is the element that is commented on the most and which raises much dust if it isn’t working out right.

If there are many people who known one another too loud music will make it hard for them to talk; the same goes for parties at which new contacts are made. Sophisticated, quality music is a must.

A string quartet is a specific type of ensemble. It dates back to the Middle Ages when it was used as courtly music for entertainment and dancing. At the time of the waltz at the court of Vienna there were no electric guitars, drums, DJs or lighting effects – violins, violas and cellos were the basis of the ensemble – people rejoiced and danced to the sounds of string instruments. What remains from those times is the fact that a string quartet is a symbol of elegance.

Just imagine, for a minute, musicians with string instruments and you will probably picture an atmosphere of dancing, of a court and ballroom gowns…maybe even a little bit of decadence? 

The elegance of the event is precisely the main reason behind choosing a string quartet. In the times when everything is noisy, fast and crowded, a discreet and sophisticated sound is great music to one’s ear. The music that the quartet plays at corporate events is just the right background for socializing, chatting, exchange of contacts – the very reasons why these events are organized. It is unobtrusive but refined and it will not leave anyone indifferent because people don’t often get a chance to hear a string quartet perform live. 

The String quartet’s song list can, of course, include classical music but also other genres such as tango, jazz, Latin music, evergreen, soundtrack music and, lately very popular – pop and rock remakes. Quartets are in high demand and each new contact with the corporate world proves to be mutually productive – clients’ needs generate new ideas.

A dynamic atmosphere and an original party with an acoustic performance? We can do that too – for many years the Wonder Strings Quartet has been cooperating with percussionist Sale R. In this setup the quartet sounds like a rock band and to its music you can dance and have a great time yet it won’t get in the way of socializing.

If you are looking for a band that is unobtrusive yet has a strong effect then the Wonder Quartet should be on your list!

We have performed at over 1000 different events, including exhibitions, press conferences (IT people know good music!), symposiums and (medical, pharmaceutical) congresses, openings of shopping malls, factories, new business and residential complexes, book launches, car promotions and festivals – Kustendorf, Nušićijada, Belgradization of Belgrade, fashion shows and a countless number of celebrations marking jubilees, outstanding results, Christmas parties…

There were even some teambuilding events now and then and we also played at an ultimate MMA fighters’ match.

Чланак Quartet Music For Corporate Events се појављује прво на Wonder Strings.

What we know from experience is that the best weddings are those at which the bride and the groom are happy and relaxed, and that is the one thing you should focus on. Probably the most important moment at a wedding is when the guests see you for the first time, all dressed up and looking your best, lovingly smiling at each other and expecting the “I DO’s”. 

Music plays a much bigger part here than you may think, because it follows your steps and, just like in a movie, announces things. Then comes the first dance song, the dancing music, the “while you eat” music…did someone say cake?  It’ll be a challenge to reconcile different music tastes and organize a performance that everyone will enjoy, but the good thing is that you can combine different kinds of music!

You should first focus on choosing a song that your guests will first hear when you, as the bride and the groom, enter the space for the first time, and we have compiled a list of original suggestions for your walk in song  that you may find handy when planning.

While you’re in a positive mood you might also like to decide on your first dance song, choose from the tango or the waltz classics, romantic or alternative sound, pop and rock hits. There are several dozen songs on our list that could be a great pick and we have also made a list of our own first dance favorites. 

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Compromises are inevitable and, when it comes to some parts of the ceremony, you will probably want to take your in-laws’ advice or fulfill their wishes, but there is a time when it is important for you to have an absolute standard – and that is the music which creates the atmosphere at the very beginning of the celebration. It is the moment when everything changes, when a romantic relationship is formalized, when there is growing impatience, and at this point it is very important for the music to warm up the atmosphere but gently and gradually.

Bridal couples all the more often decide on hiring string quartets for their weddings because this music is elegant but, at the same time, also unusual and original and gives the whole event the feel of a special, ceremonial celebration. Those who think that string quartets play only classical music and that everyone at the wedding would feel as if they were at a boring concert, well, they are very much mistaken. The Wonder Strings Quartet song list includes everything from Bach to Sevdah music, while we’re particularly fond ex-Yu pop and rock songs because of our Wonder YU Rock! CD that we recently released.

In 98% of cases the wedding guests share our joy and everyone is overjoyed when they hear these hits played by the Quartet.[:]

Чланак How To Pick The Right Music For A Wedding се појављује прво на Wonder Strings.

The questions raised are very interesting, but wait ‘till you read the results.

Experts have established that it is good to listen to ambient music for better and faster work with numbers but data entry is best done while listening to pop music. Dance music is recommended if your work involves problem solving, while classical music helps with work that involves attention to detail.

What’s best to listen to while doing your daily household chores? We have recommended some rhythms that go quite well with tidying up, dusting, scrubbing, vacuuming, ironing and, of course, cooking.

If you’ve noticed that writing, calculating or other kind of work that requires special concentration best goes with music without lyrics, then you’re on the right track – many of our friends and colleagues share the same opinion… It is widely known that classical music has a healing effect on the brain, that it stimulates studying and working, that it is very useful when babies and children listen to it, that plants grow faster and cows give more milk when listening to classical music. I was so surprised this summer when, passing by a barn on Mokra Gora, I heard the sounds of the 2^nd movement of one of Mozart’s piano concertos. Well done!

Japanese scientist Dr Masaru Emoto performed experiments with water, observing frozen drops with a microscope while playing different kinds of music. Do you know what happened? When he played classical music the water molecules formed perfectly shaped geometric figures, while the very opposite happened to the sounds of heavy metal. You can read about this experiment here, but you will find much more information in the book The Hidden Messages in Water. 

Scientists have also established that Mozart’s music is characterized by a flow of loud-quiet sounds in the thirty-seconds range, which corresponds to the biological currents of the human brain. This is what leads to the synchronization of the left and the right brain hemispheres resulting in relaxation, improved concentration and thinking ability. So, in this way, Mozart’s music helps you warm up your brain and it also helps certain complex neurological patterns that are engaged in your brain activities such as math and chess, for example.

The pulse and the flow of Baroque music bring peace and order and research has shown that this is due to the fact that Baroque music has 60 beats per minute that equally stimulate both brain hemispheres. It is believed that, by listening to Baroque music, it’s possible to improve work and studying performance by up to five times. For this reason my list contains many Baroque music pieces and I recommend versions played on Baroque instruments in the old, authentic, Baroque way.

If you are looking for studying music or for music while working in a noisy office or for work that requires additional stimulation, here’s a list of recommendations:

1. Tartini – Tartini’s most famous violin sonatas Devil’s Trill Sonata and Didone Abbadonata are an absolute no.1 on my list

2. Handel – Handel wrote the piece Water Music as a court composer as background music for King George I’s trip on the River Thames; it was used in experiments with students.
3. Vivaldi – this unusual composer’s instrumental music is perfect for work because its pulse is unobtrusive and string instruments always prevail. We recommend his Concerto Grosso, the Four Seasons, my favourite L’estro Armonico which is a set of 12 concertos and La Stravaganza
4. Bach – this great man’s music is described as music closest to God and, if you listen to it long enough, you will understand why. I don’t know what piece I would leave off the list, so you’d best start with this compilation
5. Mozart – Mozart is Mozart…speaking of him, have you heard of the Mozart effect?
6. In its expression, jazz is close to classical music, so it can also be a good recommendation. I personally like to listen to Miles Davis, so I suggest you start your music exploration with him
7. Pregnant women who are in need of concentration should give smooth jazz a try – that was my experience during pregnancy. I remember that, while I was pregnant, I wrote the best music for the quartet while listening to a radio station that played only smooth jazz
8. You’re writing invoices, documents, transfer orders? You might look for inspiration for work in chill music; Buddha Bar compilations are widely acclaimed.
9. Soundtrack music deserves a place on the list. Of course, not every soundtrack, but pieces by musicians such as Morricone, Williams, Horner and other artists can be very useful in creative work.
10. At the average, we concentrate in 20-minute segments. With the help of neurologists and psychology professors, The company Focus At Will has established that there is some music that functions as a focus enhancer. With the help of the music that they suggest people can work up to 100 minutes before taking their first break!

What do you usually listen to? Give us your suggestions in the comments section! 🙂

Чланак Choosing Music for Work and Better Concentration се појављује прво на Wonder Strings.

The choice of a growing number of couples is for this first dance to be played by a string quartet. They are demanding and picky, they listen to many songs trying to choose the right one. Our song list features dozens of songs  that could be a perfect choice for the first dance, regardless of whether you are planning a classic, alternative, romantic or rock wedding.

The tango or the waltz are dances because of which couples are even willing to take dancing lessons and, indeed, there is nothing more romantic than when two people waltz across the floor to the sounds of On the Beautiful Blue Danube or do the tango to Por Una Cabeza.

The romantic choice also includes the songs Fly me to the Moon, Moon River, Another Day of Sun from the film La La Land, Dance Me to the End of Love, The Way You Look Tonight, What a Wonderful World…

Alternative and rock weddings are different from the very start, and the suggested first dance songs are Just Like Heaven ,Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Feeling Good (Muse), Nothing Else Matters…

Pop songs have lately become the most popular choice and the following top the list: Marry You (Bruno Mars), Love Me Like You Do (Elli Goolding), Viva la Vida (Coldplay), Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran), Happy (Pharrell Williams), All of Me (John Legend).

Not all songs that bridal couples decide on turn out to be the best choice in practice, so we have put together our list of best first dance songs:

1. Let’s Stick Together – Bryan Ferry

“You know, we made a vow, not to leave one another, never” says Bryan Ferry in his sexy voice and appearance.

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2. The Blower’s Daughter – Damien Rice

A beautiful song from the film Closer with the famous verse “Can’t take my eyes off you”

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3. Let’s Stay Together – Al Green

“Let’s stay together, Loving you whether, Times are good or bad, happy or sad” are the perfect words that the newlyweds say to each other.

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4. Kiss me – Sixpence None The Richer

From the film She’s All That; the song’s lyrics are cute and creative, and its positive energy is catching.

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5. Wonderwall – Oasis

This is a wonderful song for all those seeking support and security in a marriage. “Because maybe you’re gonna be the one that saves me, and after all you’re my wonderwall”

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All music arrangements for the string quartet were done by Bojana Jovanović, www.happysheetmusic.com. Thank you Bojana!

Чланак The First Dance is Something We Remember for Life се појављује прво на Wonder Strings.

Wonder Strings Quartet musicians all have different sensibilities, they are of different ages and have different tastes in music so it was only natural for us to include in our song list everything “from Bach to Sevdah music”:)  Therefore, couples who like alternative music will be able to find on our list their choice of music- – new wave, punk, dark…

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So far we’ve had a chance to be the secret ingredient at several alternative weddings and we succeeded in helping make this day very special for people who are not too fond of mainstream music. They asked for the playlist to include songs such as The Cure – Just Like Heaven, Depeche Mode – Personal Jesus, Style Council – Shout to the Top, The Smiths – There Is a Light That Never Goes Out, U2 – With or Without You… and we truly enjoyed ourselves while playing these songs arranged for a string quartet.

They wanted their first dance to be to the sounds of Nick Cave’s fantastic song I’ll Love You Till the End of the World.

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At one of the weddings the bride had a dress made from recycled material while the groom wore a pair of Dr. Martens. Guys, if you’re reading this we want you to know that we had an awesome time at your wedding! 

Here’s a place that you can explore and where you can find songs that will be a great setup at your wedding. If that one, important song happens not to be on the string quartet song list, write to us, maybe we can do some magic and play those notes for you after all.

Чланак How to Organize Alternative Wedding се појављује прво на Wonder Strings.