Hope Hoffman & the

Bowdoinham String Band

Live, traditional acoustic music for weddings and receptions.

We provide music that flows naturally, seamlessly joining each part of your wedding, from one room to the next, indoors and outdoors.

Our repertoire ranges from slow and lyrical to quick and energetic, and we carefully choose each tune to fit each part of the event. An experienced director of theater productions featuring live music, violinist/fiddler Hope Hoffman can offer expertise and insight when selecting music.

Generally, most couples instruct us to use our intuition and to select just the right tune to play on the spot and "in the moment," or we can plan each piece of music beforehand. If you have a special piece of music in mind, we can learn traditional melodies by ear from recordings, and read sheet music fluently.

Since we don't use any microphones or electrical equipment (unless you request it), there are many opportunities for us to play outdoors, in unusual spaces, and to move around the area easily.

For example, the bride and groom's first dance can be made even more special by the violin nearby playing a waltz. As your guests take their seats before the ceremony, a serene fiddle or mandolin can wander throughout the area to set the mood. And after the ceremony, the musicians can walk with the guests to the reception area, keeping the music flowing every step of the way.

The ensemble has provided music for downtown events, community gatherings and family celebrations since 2002.

Celebrate your heritage with traditional melodies

Irish and Scottish
French Canadian
American roots from the South and West
English and Welsh
Scandinavian


We're very flexible and open to ideas, and enjoy being a creative part of celebrations.

Many couples ask for a 3-hour session, which often includes a half hour of music before the ceremony, the ceremony itself, and another half hour of music after the ceremony.

We can also provide a dance instructor and music for a contra dance or barn dance, and play background music for your reception or rehearsal dinner.

Hope Hoffman often provides solo violin/fiddle/viola music for ceremonies and receptions.

She also leads sessions of creative movement and folk dance with live fiddle music at schools and libraries, and can offer this as a children's activity for youngsters at your event.

To listen to audio samples, click on a title below to hear the tune.

Sampling of processionals:
Hewlett (Irish; composed by O'Carolan; arrangement © Hope Hoffman 2005)
Ash Grove Waltz
(traditional Welsh; performance © Hope Hoffman 2005)

Sampling of recessionals:
Moon and Seven Stars Jig (traditional New England, performance © Hope Hoffman 2005)
Mari's Wedding (traditional Irish; performance © Hope Hoffman 2005 )

Sampling of background or dancing music for receptions and dinners:
Out on the Water
(original waltz; composition and recording © Hope Hoffman 2005)
Neofa Farewell
(original waltz; composition and recording © Hope Hoffman 2007)
French Quadrille
(traditional; arranged by Hope for viola, recording © Hope Hoffman 2007)

French Dance Tune
(traditional; live performance © Hope Hoffman 2007)

Please click here for details about the ensemble & our instruments.

To request more info, please e-mail us, or call (207) 332-3459.

A printable brochure is available here.

Photos this page by Ron St. Jean

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Hope Hoffman ~ (207) 332-3459 ~ PO Box 171, Bowdoinham, Maine 04008 ~ www.hopehoffman.org ~ E-mail