From Bach to The Piano Guys, add a unique and personal touch to set your event apart.
- I primarily play solo cello music with backing tracks to fill out the rest of the songs.
- I can sing and play guitar if requested
- I can provide my own amplification
- I can provide basic DJ services (playing a Spotify playlist for cocktail hour/dinner and providing a microphone for speeches)
- my base rate includes one new song request outside of my extensive song list
8 reviews
Judy F.
August 28, 2023It made my wedding day perfect. So talented and beautiful. My guests all commented on how lovely this cellist and pianist played. Can't say enough praises
Hired as: Cellist
Lynn N.
August 14, 2023Ben was awesome to work with. We threw songs at him he had to learn and he showed up and showed out. The music was beautiful and he was very professional.
Hired as: Cellist
Lauren W.
March 5, 2023Ben was just fantastic from the get go! To start we had to switch our wedding date and he was kind enough to accommodate. Then on our wedding day he showed up early and was so professional. He played beautiful music that added so much elegance to our wedding. There was even a missed queue on our end and when we were able to signal Ben, he seamlessly transitioned to our next song for me to walk down the aisle. We would absolutely book him again and highly recommend him for any wedding or event that you are wanting that extra touch of elegance.
Hired as: Cellist
Pamela S.
March 26, 2021Ben did the most incredible job at our wedding. The guests are still raving 12 days later. The groom and I had dated as teenagers in 1982 then re-connected 39 years later and Ben didn't even bat an eye when we asked him to play Paradise By The Dashboard Lights (Meatloaf). It was the highlight of our day. During the final weeks of planning, my father passed away and Ben was so compassionate. At our request, he also did the most beautiful version of my parent's "song" My Best Friend (Don Williams). If you have an opportunity to include Ben in any event, you will be beyond pleased. 5 stars alone is inadequate to express how we feel about Ben's beautiful work.
Hired as: Cellist
Amanda E.
September 30, 2018Ben did a fantastic job! Everyone at the event asked about him! I let him have mostly free reign with everything and he did not disappoint and did a great job. I would definitely book him again and he is even playing at a friends event I recommended him to. :)
Hired as: Cellist, Singer/Songwriter
Price range: $400-$1000
Being solo, I am able to provide much of the same music as a quartet but at a fraction of the price. Typically I am requested to play solo arrangements of many of the standard wedding music (Pachelbels Canon, Jesu Joy of man's desiring, and Wedding march) as well as classic solo cello works such as the famous Prelude to Bach's 1st Cello Suite. However, I can offer a wide range of music and styles.
Typical Setup:
I primarily play with backing tracks to fill out the rest of the music so that I can focus on the melody - if you are a fan of the cello this is a win because usually when cellists play as a part of a string quartet we are stuck playing the bassline! So included in my base rate I will bring a PA speaker to amplify myself and to play backing tracks over. (Of course I am more than open to playing with a Pianist, guitarist, or even to hire a string quartet for you. But, over the years I have found playing solo with backing tracks is simply the most versatile and cost effective solution for weddings)
Repertoire:
In addition to my extensive song list (you can find in the "set list" section) my base rate includes one song request outside of the list. Usually any song with a melodic vocal line works beautiful for the instrument.
I can also sing and play my guitar if that type of music is requested, such as a jovial recessional song, or more upbeat music for cocktail hour etc. See my second video to hear my singing voice!
Basic DJ Services:
If you are on a budget and you are looking for a cheap solution for dinner music after your wedding ceremony I can repurpose my PA speaker to play music from a Spotify playlist. I can also provide a Microphone for speeches (I can also make basic announcements but I am not claiming to be a full service DJ :) )
Rates:
Base rate for in town (<30mi from downtown Chattanooga) ceremony with 30 minute prelude: $500
- includes a song request outside of my list
- includes setting up my PA speaker and amplifying myself
- includes advice on selecting music for the ceremony
- includes 30 minutes of prelude music
- includes up to a 1 hour ceremony
- additional song requests are $50 each
- travel fee outside of the 30mi range is $1 per mile of distance from downtown Chattanooga
I will gladly amplify the officiant with my wireless lapel mic for $100. I can add additional microphones for other speakers for $50 each
I will play 1 hour of additional music for a cocktail hour for $150. I can bring my guitar and sing music for this a well. (If I am required to move my setup to another location in the venue I will charge $50 for the move)
And finally, if you need music to be played over my PA speaker and a microphone available for speeches, I can offer this service for $100/hr.
Thanks! Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with questions!
-Ben VW
Native Chattanoogan
18 years cello experience.
It is extremely important to understand that I cannot play in either direct sunlight or even the smallest amount of precipitation. If the wedding is to be outside please plan to ensure I have a cover or that there is a backup in the case of rain. Sometimes even playing under the shade of a tree is a simple an effective solution.
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
5:30pm - 8:00pm
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Beersheba Springs, TN
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 6:00pm
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Lookout Mountain, GA
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
5:00pm - 6:00pm
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Chattanooga, TN
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
4:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Cleveland, TN
Sunday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Tunnel Hill, GA
Friday
Wedding Ceremony
6:30pm - 8:00pm
•
Chattanooga, TN
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
4:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Chattanooga, TN
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Cleveland, TN
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
4:30pm - 6:00pm
•
Hixson, TN
Sunday
Wedding Ceremony
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Kimball, TN
Song Title Composer Genre Option to Sing
Girl from Ipanema A. C. Jobim Jazz Can Sing
Wave A. C. Jobim Jazz Can Sing
Pick Up The Pieces AW Band Jazz
Air On The G String Bach Classical
Arioso Bach Classical
Cello Suite No. 1 (any movement) Bach Classical
Cello Suite No. 2 (any movement) Bach Classical
Cello Suite No. 3 (any movement) Bach Classical
Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring Bach Classical
Ode To Joy Beethoven Classical
1000 Years Christina Peri Pop/Modern
A Sky Full of Stars Coldplay Pop/Modern
Viva La Vida Coldplay Pop/Modern
Yellow Coldplay Pop/Modern
Endless Halleluia Cory Ashbury Christian
Take Five Dave Brubeck Jazz
Humoresque Dvorak Classical
Thinking Outloud Ed Sheeran Pop/Modern
How Long Will I love you Ellie Goulding Pop/Modern
Can You Feel The Love Tonight Elton John Pop/Modern
Can't Help Falling In Love Elvis Presley Pop/Modern
3 Gymnopedies Erik Satie Classical
Je Te Veux Erik Satie Classical
Après Une Reve Faure Classical
Sicilienne Faure Classical
Fly Me To the Moon Frank Sinatra Jazz Can Sing
The Way You Look Tonight Frank Sinatra Jazz Can Sing
I See The Light From Tangled Pop/Modern
All I Ask of You From the Phantom of the Opera New Classical
Edelweiss From The Sound of Music New Classical
Ave Maria Gounod Classical
Largo From Xerxes Handel Classical
Be Thou My Vision Hymn Sacred Music
Somewhere over the Rainbow (upbeat ukelele) Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Pop/Modern
How Sweet It Is to Be Loved By You James Taylor Pop/Modern
Ashokan Farewell Jay Unger Folk/Traditional
Misty Jazz Standard Jazz
All of Me John Legend Pop/Modern
Moon River Johnny Mercer Jazz Can Sing
Blue Bossa Kenny Dorham Jazz Can Sing
Flower Duet L. Delibies Classical
Love Is Complicated (Angel's Sing) Labrynth Pop/Modern
Good as Hell Lizzo Pop/Modern
Royals Lorde Pop/Modern
La Vie En Rose Louis Armstrong Jazz Can Sing
Somewhere over the Rainbow Louis Armstrong Pop/Modern
What A Wonderful World Louis Armstrong Jazz
Black Orpheus Luiz Bonfa Jazz Can Sing
Meditation From Thais Massenet Classical
Wedding March (recessional) Mendelsohn Classical
My Love Mine All Mine Mitsky Pop/Modern
Autumn Leaves Nat Cole King Jazz Can Sing
This Will Be (an Everlasting Love) Natalie Cole Pop/Modern
Canon in D Pachelbel Classical
Tennessee Waltz Patsy Cline Jazz
Nessun Dorma Puccini Classical
O Mio Babbino Caro Puccini Classical
Vocalise Rachmaninov Classical
Pavane Ravel Classical
You Are The Best Thing Ray Lamantagne Pop/Modern
The Swan Saint Saens Classical
Ave Maria Schubert Classical
Chasing Cars Snow Patrol Pop/Modern
Landslide Stevie Nicks Pop/Modern
Howl's Moving Castle - Merry go round of Life Studio Ghibli New Classical
Enchanted Taylor Swift Pop/Modern
Love Story Taylor Swift Pop/Modern
Lover Taylor Swift Pop/Modern
Wildest Dreams Taylor Swift Pop/Modern
All You Need is Love The Beatles Pop/Modern
Here Comes the Sun The Beatles Pop/Modern
Gabriel's Oboe The Mission" Classical
Happy Together The Turtles Pop/Modern
Bittersweet Symphony The Verve Pop/Modern
Stella By Starlight Victor Young Jazz Can Sing
Wedding March (Here comes the Bride) Wagner Classical
A music stand and a chair are always nice, however I have my own in case you are unable to provide them.
Cellist
