Wedding A Cappella...
Dear Dave and Christopher,
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VALENTINES DAY 2011 - To the left here is a dress rehearsal video of an original proposal song, backed up by the UNC Loreleis. Below is the description as written on YouTube:
"On Valentine's Day, 2011, Brant Wansley proposed to his girlfriend Rebecca. As part of the proposal, Brant wrote lyrics which documented the events leading up to the proposal and highlighted his devotion to his sweetheart. Brant enlisted the services of Raleigh songwriter Jamie Purnell to finish the chords and melody to the tune entitled "A New Day". To sweeten the presentation of the new original song, Brant contacted The Loreleis, and all-female a capella group at UNC - Chapel HIll to provide backing vocals. Jamie performed the tune with The Loreleis right before the BIG MOMMENT. This is a video of the final dress rehearsal held only a few minutes before that. Special thanks to Brad Stephenson at acasongs.com for his vocal arrangement!" |
Track 1 - Insomniac by Billy Idol Track 2 - Kissing You by Des'Ree |
Chris and Cory SandrockOctober 14th, 2001
Cory and I sang with Asterik (mens) at Northwestern University, and Chris sang with Aural Fixation (mixed). They both sing the solos to each other on these two tracks. Recorded by Freddie Feldman at Vocomotion. These recordings were on a CD that was their wedding favor, given to each wedding guest. Both groups also performed these songs at the reception, as well as several others. Open Bar + a cappella = good times. |
Brad and Lauren StephensonAugust 20th, 2005
I sang with Chi Rho (mens) at Wake Forest University, and Lauren sang with Minor Variation (formerly One Accord). During the ceremony, I arranged "Be Thou My Vision": first stanza was solo a cappella, second stanza was duet, and during the third stanza two bridesmaids and two groomsmen stepped out to join them in 6 part harmony. In that big, open, stone-floor chapel, it was really special. The live version, taken from our wedding DVD, is below: Inspired by Cory and Chris' wedding favor idea, I stole it and did the same thing for our wedding (let me know where to send it and I'll mail you a hard copy; we've got a ton left over).
Having so many musical friends, I arranged "One Hand One Heart" for piano, clarinet, bassoon, and violin. We recorded it, and it was also performed during the ceremony. Not a cappella, but still awesome. (I was playing Tony in a production of West Side Story at the time) The second track (God Blessed the Broken Road) was performed at the reception by a collection of aca-friends from Wake Forest University. The third track was a surprise to my wife. She thought the CD would just be two tracks, but I wrote the last song for her. Not a cappella, but it's an original. Yay for 80's style power ballads. |
Track 1 - One Hand One Heart
from West Side Story Track 2 - God Bless the Broken Road
by Rascal Flatts Track 3 - Finally by Bradley Stephenson (me)
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Unfortunately, I've not been to any other a cappella duo weddings, but I've been to plenty of half a cappella weddings where a cappella was performed. I've arranged four songs specifically to be performed at a cappella at weddings: Be Thou My Vision was sung by the wedding party during the unity candle lighting (at my wedding). How Beautiful by Twila Paris was sung during the wedding ceremony by a group on the side. Annie's Song by John Denver was sung at the reception by the bride to her parents, since it was her parents' song back in the day. That was very touching. That's the Way it Goes by Manhattan Transfer was sung at the reception for the bride and groom's first dance.
If you want me to send you the MP3's of any of these songs, just shoot me an email and let me know. Thanks, guys.
Brad Stephenson
www.acasongs.com
If you want me to send you the MP3's of any of these songs, just shoot me an email and let me know. Thanks, guys.
Brad Stephenson
www.acasongs.com