Reflection...

All-Occasions String Quartet (1999-2001)



Strings of Elegance (2002-Current)

As 2008 comes to a close, I wanted to take time to reflect on the string quartet journey that has made Strings of Elegance what it is today. It all started at Utah State University where All-Occasions String Quartet was formed. Members of this group, in picture order above, were Elizabeth McFadden, Jenny Melville, Cathy Marlor (that's me on the couch), and Jennifer Cosman. We had so much fun playing at weddings from 1999-2001 that after graduation and moving away for a short while, I decided to form a new quartet in Davis County where I am originally from. This is when Strings of Elegance was established in February of 2002 during the heart of the SLC Winter Olympic Games. Our first group picture was taken in the snow. Our first members were, in picture order, Michelle Brown, Rebekah Butler, Shannon Talbot, and Cathy Marlor (that's me kneeling down). Later that year, Shannon became very busy with all her family responsibilities so she had to leave us. To take her place was Thalia Parmley, our fabulous young cellist who has been with us ever since.

Posted by Cathy Marlor

Reflection Continued...

Rebekah Butler, Cathy Marlor, Thalia Parmley, Michelle Brown

Strings of Elegance was comprised of these four for several years. We had so many fun experiences including this trip that we took to Vernal, UT to play for a wedding there. On the way, we stopped in Heber to get some icecream. After the wedding we wanted to rehearse some Shostakovich for our summer concert but the hotel room wasn't big enough so we are now also known as the grocery store parking lot string quartet.

Rebekah (my little sis) decided to go away for college so our summer concert ended up being a farewell to her as she went off to persue her violin performance degree from the University of Arizona. When she becomes a world famous musician we keep reminding her that she got her big start with us!!!

We miss you Bekah Butler!

Posted by: Cathy Butler Marlor

Reflection Continued Further...

Cathy Marlor, Michelle Brown, Thalia Parmley, Anna Mitchel

Anna joined us after Rebekah left and she stuck around for a few years. Whenever we play up at Park City Mountain Resort, we ride up the mountain in a truck or on the ski-lift and play in a beautiful mountain spot, perfect for scenic ceremonies. Afterward, we like to ride the Alpine slide back down. It is so much fun - especially in concert black! Sometimes when we are really lucky we get invited to eat fancy food after we play and we love being wined and dined. This particular dining picture was taken at LaCaille after we played for a charity event there. In addition to the Alpine slide and fancy dinners, we also had the opportunity to host a big Strings of Elegance party since one of our clients owned resort property that we got a free-night's stay in. But all good things eventually change and we lost Anna in the spring of 2007 when she decided to go on an LDS mission. It was a quick transition and we were sad to lose her but happy for the new direction her life was taking. Our last gig with her was up at Snow Basin (see picture below).






Meili Bell took over for Anna. She has proven to be a great asset to our quartet both as a musician and a savvy business woman. So this is our group now and I think we are all caught up to speed as we began our blog at the beginning of 2008. The final picture in this post is of a group dinner we had at my house with all of our husbands. We thank them for all of the support they give us as we go all over the state playing for all sorts of events. We also want to thank our clients for giving us the wonderful opportunities. Thank you!

Posted by Cathy Marlor

Heidi and Rob

On Saturday September 27th, we had the pleasure of playing for a beautiful, outdoor wedding at Red Butte Garden. We love playing at Red Butte because it it always so peaceful, fragrant, and visually stunning. We played for Heidi and Rob's garden ceremony, and then moved to the orangerie to accompany the bride and groom and their guests for their champagne toast and lunch.

What a gorgeous day for an autumn wedding!

L-R: Ryan, Thalia, Cathy & Meili. (Ryan filled in for Michelle on the viola.)

Photographs compliments of Anne Spencer Photography. Isn't she fantastic? Check out her website here.

Posted by Meili

Laurel and Coury

We played for Laurel and Coury's outdoor wedding ceremony on Saturday, September 27th at the beautiful, rustic Log Haven in Millcreek Canyon. I especially enjoyed the drive up the canyon. It was the perfect weekend with unseasonably warm weather and gorgeous fall colors.

Posted by Meili

Shalee & Skylar

At the beginning of September, we played for Shalee & Skylar's wedding reception at The Barn Golf Course in Pleasant View. I thought it was fitting that all the gifts were piled onto a golf cart! It was a beautiful, late summer evening, and it was especially nice for us because Thalia was back from her summer in Alaska. Welcome back, Thalia!

These photos were taken by Shalee's photographers at Sweet Memory Garden.

Posted by Meili.

Mike & Brittany

We played at Park City Mountain Resort and once again, rode the ski lift to the top with all our string quartet equipment. These ceremonies up by the alpine slide are always an adventure. We even passed the bride on our way up!

Posted by Cathy

Bitner Reception

What a beautiful back yard to play in! Filling in for Meili was Maureen (on the left) and Steve (on the right) played cello for Thalia. We always appreciate good musicians that we can call on.

This was a fun reception to play for because it was located in the neighborhood in which I grew up. So I got to see people I knew as a child and haven't seen in years. I just wish I could have "caught up on old times" while I played (now that would have been some serious multi-tasking)!

Posted by Cathy

Storm Mountain Wedding

On 6/18 we played for a ceremory at the Storm Mountain picnic site in Big Cottonwood Canyon. I always love playing outdoors. The setting was beautiful and the ceremony was sweet. Brittany subbed for Thalia and since she and Meili are both pregnant we couldn't resist taking this cute picture.

Posted by Michelle

Kayli & Ivan

On Saturday, we played for the ceremony and reception of Kayli & Ivan at Legacy Park in Syracuse. It was a scorcher!

You may have noticed the array of cellists we've had in our pictures lately. (Tony is represented here as a shadow.) Since Thalia is spending the summer in Alaska, we've had the opportunity to call on our other cellist friends to step in and play with us. Thanks Sam, Brittany, & Tony!

Posted by Meili

Melissa & Beau

On Thursday, we played at the beautiful Fragrance Garden at Red Butte for Melissa & Beau's ceremony. We sat near a honeysuckle plant, which smelled so sweet! Even though the temperatures that day were in the 90s, the gardens were pleasant and breezy.

Thanks for playing with us Brit!

Posted by Meili

JSMB

We recently played at a beautiful wedding reception in the Empire Room of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Thanks for playing with us Sam and Amber!

Posted by Meili

Where The Wild Things Are

Cathy and I were recently invited to play with another string quartet in a school district art show at Hogle Zoo! We played in the monkey house. It was after hours, so we didn't have a chance to explore the rest of the zoo, but we had a lot of fun! (l-r: Maureen, Meili, Cathy)

Posted by Meili

Brian & YuLin

We played for the wedding of Brian and YuLin yesterday. Their ceremony was held in the historic Memorial House at Memory Grove on a clear, blue day. I am always so honored to be a part of a couple's wedding. Even though I don't know the bride and groom, seeing them so happy together always makes me smile.

Posted by Meili

Ward Valentine's Dinner

On February 16th we played for a ward dinner. They fed us dinner and even let us bring our husbands who we rarely get to play for! Ashlee substituted for Meili. The ward was so kind. Many of them came up to meet us and compliment our playing. Joyce, the woman in charge of the event sent us this sweet email:

To Cathy, Meili, Michelle, and Thalia;
Thanks again for the beautiful music and mood you set for our ward dinner. It was exactly what I wanted for the evening. Your willingness to share your talents with us was so appreciated by all.

Posted by Michelle

Salt Lake's Premier Wedding Show

In January we played at Salt Lake's Premier Wedding Show at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. We do this annually and had the pleasure of meeting some of our clients there. This year Sam substituted for Thalia as she was out of town. We had a great time!

Posted by Michelle

Welcome

In February, Strings of Elegance celebrated our six year anniversary! We've enjoyed playing for hundreds of weddings over the last six years and thought it would be fun to start a blog to share some of our experiences. Enjoy!