Forte' Strings is one of the premier string quartets in the Dallas Fort Worth area. We perform for any event where beautiful music is desired. Our ensemble will provide you and your guests with the sound and look of class that can only be achieved by a professional string quartet. From an intimate wedding ceremony to lavish formal dinners and receptions, Forte' Strings is dedicated to adding a special touch of elegance.

Our group of professional musicians has provided enjoyable music for hundreds of events throughout the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. We consistently receive praise for high quality and professionalism from our brides, other wedding vendors, and event coordinators. The musicians in our quartet have many years of experience in professional orchestras and ensembles, teach privately, and perform together in concert. Our skills will be invaluable in the planning and performance of the music for your special occasion.

There are many advantages in choosing Forte' Strings for your event:

* Experience and professionalism that you can trust
* Personal, friendly help with all musical questions
* Professional quality performances
* Excellent recommendations by many area wedding vendors
* Large repertoire of music with various styles of music from which to choose
* A member present at your wedding rehearsal, if possible, at no extra charge
* A demo CD that is informative as well as helpful
* Upon booking, a "Wedding Music Guide" provided to help you with your musical choices

The special mood that live music creates will help to make your event exciting and memorable. Let the experience and undeniable quality of Forte' Strings make your event enjoyable for you and your guests.

Sharon Hawkins – violin
Sharon is a professional musician who performs throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area. She studied music at TCU with Kenneth Shanewerk, former concertmaster of the Fort Worth Symphony, and currently teaches private violin and viola students in both Arlington and her studio in Fort Worth. She has played with the East Texas Symphony and the Fort Worth Civic Orchestra and is currently concertmaster of the Northeast Orchestra and principal second violin with the Brazos Chamber Orchestra.

Melvin Harrison- violin
Melvin, a native of Amarillo, holds a BMB from West Texas A&M and a Masters degree in violin performance from TCU. He is a former member of the Amarillo Symphony, Randall Chamber Orchestra, and Southwest Symphony. Melvin served as concertmaster and soloist with the Northeast Orchestra and is currently a member of the Brazos Chamber Orchestra. He is a teacher and administrator with the Preparatory Music Division at TCU.

Dan Stevens – viola
Dan, a native of Fort Worth, performed with the Youth Orchestra of Greater Fort Worth, both as a player and soloist, and the All State Orchestra. He advanced his musical studies at TCU and Juilliard where he performed for prominent musicians such as Yo-Yo Ma and Ruggierio Ricci and studied string quartet performance with the Juilliard String Quartet. Dan has served as principal violist and subsequently concertmaster of the Fort Worth Civic Orchestra and has performed with the Fort Worth, Austin, Waco, and Wichita Falls Symphonies and the Dallas Opera Orchestra.

Todd Evans- cello
Todd, a native of Amarillo, has played with symphony orchestras in Amarillo, Lubbock, and Roswell. He is currently principal cellist, as well as personnel manager, of the Brazos Chamber Orchestra and teaches cello students in his private studio.

Song List

Song List
Bach – Air from Orchestral
Suite No. 3 in D Major
Bach – Arioso
Bach – Ave Maria
Bach – Brandenburg Concertos
Bach – Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Bach – Sheep May Safely Graze
Bach – Wachet Auf ("Sleeper Awake")
Beethoven – Adagio Cantabile
Piano Sonata No. 8
Beethoven – Ode to Joy
Clarke – Trumpet Voluntary
Corelli – Concerto VIII
Franck – Panis Angelicus
Handel – Entrance of the Queen of Sheba
Handel – Passacaglia
Handel – Selections from
Royal Fireworks Music
Handel – Selections from
Water Music Suites
Mallote – The Lord's Prayer
Mendelssohn – Bridal Chorus
Mouret – Rondeau
Mozart – Alleluja from "Exultate Jubilate"
Mozart – Andante –
Piano Concerto No. 21
Mozart – Eine Kleine Nachtmusic
Mozart – Divertimentos
Mozart – Quartet in B flat ("The Hunt")
Pachelbel – Canon in D
Purcell – Trumpet Tune
Schubert – Ave Maria
Vivaldi – Selections from the "Four Seasons"
Wagner – Wedding March
RECEPTION MUSIC – LIGHT CLASSICAL
Bach – Anna's Minuet
Bach – Arie
Bach – Brandenburg Concertos
Beethoven – Ode to Joy
Bizet – Entr'acte to Act 3 of Carmen
Borodin – Nocturne from String Quartet No. 2
Brahms – Hungarian Dance No. 5
Debussy – Clair de Lune
Dvorak – Largo from "New World" Symphony
Fiocco – Allegro
Handel – Entrance of the Queen of Sheba
Handel – Selections from Royal Fireworks
Handel – Selections from Water Music Suites
Jenkins – Palladio ("Diamond Song")
Lecuona – Malaguena
Mozart – Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Rachmaninoff – 18th Variation from Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Schubert – Rosamunde Overture
Smetana – Themes from The Moldau
Stamitz – String Quartet No. 1 in C Major
Tchaikovsky – Andante Cantabile
Tchaikovsky – Sleeping Beauty Waltz
Vivaldi – Allegro in D for Strings
Vivaldi – Concerto in D Major
Vivaldi – Selections from the "Four Seasons"
RECEPTION MUSIC – POPULAR
Aladdin
All I Ask of You
Ashokan Farewell
As Time Goes By
Beatles Selections
Beauty and the Beast Highlights
Blue Tango
California Girls
Can You Feel the Love Tonight
Carousel Waltz
Con te Partiro (Time to Say Goodbye)
Danny Boy
Don't Cry for Me Argentina
Edelweiss
Ice Castles
I Got Rhythm
It Don't Mean a Thing
The Lovers Waltz
Love Story
Manha de Carnaval
Memory
Misty
Moon River
Music of the Night
My Funny Valentine
My Heart Will Go On
Only Time
O Sole Mio
Over the Rainbow
Por Una Cabeza
Sunrise, Sunset
Tonight
Unchained Melody
Wedding Song
What a Wonderful World
You Must Love Me
RELIGIOUS MUSIC Amazing Grace
Fairest Lord Jesus
The Gift of Love
How Beautiful
It is Well With My Soul
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
The Prayer
Saviour, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
JEWISH MUSIC
Bashana Haba'a
Chanukah, Oh Chanukah
Dodi Li
Dona Dona
El Dabir
EnKelohenu
Erev Ba
Erev Shel Shoshanim
Hana'ava Babanot
Hava Nagila
Hevenu Shalom Alechem
Jerusalem of Gold
Maoz Tzur
Mayim, Mayim
Ose Shalom
Siman Tov
Sunrise, Sunset
Waves of the Danube
CHRISTMAS MUSIC
We have a large selection of Christmas music to select from.