Her diverse repertory includes classical, baroque, renaissance, and medieval selections as well as jazz,  Celtic,  musical theater, and nostalgic American and international ballads. Her  repertory is  well suited to enhancing the atmosphere in fine restaurants and for holiday venues.

Dorothy Barth received her degree in music from Stanford University. Her early teachers include Karel Blaas, Alice Schoenfeld, Kenneth Fiske, and Kenneth Goldsmith. She completed nearly 3  years of  additional  study with Dr. David Margetts in Fresno, CA. 
 
She has performed  with the Solano Community Symphony, the Baroque Sinfonia of Sonoma County, the Vallejo Symphony, the Vallejo Choral Society, and the American Recorder Orchestra of the West. 

She frequently performs with her husband Bert as the recorder and violin duo flutes of fancy.

Dorothy Barth is also a writer whose article on wedding ceremony music (Music for a Perfect Moment) appeared in Portland Bride and Groom. Other music essays, interviews, and stories have been published in these magazines and journals:

California Music Teacher
The Canadian Music Teacher
Classical Music (UK)
Music for the Love of It
Music Teacher Magazine (Australia)
Stringendo
Faerie Magazine
Fiddler Magazine (pending Spring 2010)

Photo by Karina Salova

Bookings

Weekend Weddings and Events:  Dorothy Barth is available throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento Area, and Wine Country. 

Weekday Events: Please inquire about weekday availability.

I am honored by your feedback.
"I just wanted to send you an email to thank you for the beautiful job you did at our wedding November 1^st. I have always loved the sound of a solo violin and always imagined it being played at my wedding. You made that image become a reality, and you did it so well.  My grandmother also wanted me to tell you what a wonderful job you did as well.  I saw her sitting and listening to you during the champagne hour on the terrace, I know you made her night!" (2008 wedding)

 "Thank you for making our wedding day such a memorable and enjoyable experience. You play beautifully and added to the ambiance of the event."

Sheet Music Arrangements by Dorothy Barth

Dorothy Barth has written six  anthologies of Celtic sheet music arrangements for two instruments. She would be pleased to perform this enchanting music if you wish to book her as a duo. If your event is outside her area of performance, you or your musician may now order these volumes from this website.

Dorothy's previous solo wedding venues in Northern California include:  
Barone's
Blue Violet Mansion
Bodega Harbor Yacht Club
25º Brix Restaurant and Gardens
Cline Cellars
Compass Rose Garden
DeLoach Vineyards
Domaine Carneros
Domaine Chandon 
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa
French Laundry Restaurant 
Furlong Gulch
Griffith Woods
Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza
Kenwood Villa
Mare Island Officer's Mansion
Mandarin Oriental
Marin Art and Garden Center
Mountain Terrace
Pelican Inn
Paradise Ridge Winery
Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay
Westerbeke Ranch 
Sonoma Coast Villa
Sonoma Depot Hotel Restaurant
Vintners Inn
Yolo Land and Cattle Company
Various beautiful churches. 

Photo by Bertram Barth

Solo Violin Theme Weddings and Events  

Dorothy believes no event is routine and delights in expanding her repertory for weddings and special events. Themed wedding and events are a meaningful way to honor your heritage or special interest. Though Dorothy is classically trained violinist, she has a lively interest in international folk repertory. By popular demand, Dorothy  is now available for the following theme weddings and receptions. Below are some representative sound samples for theme weddings.

Musicians, click the categories in the left column for links to Sheet Music Plus, a great sheet music resource for the special events musician.

Renaissance and Medieval

Includes a large collection of Shakespearean, Renaissance, and Medieval music. Dorothy is also an accomplished recorder player for those seeking variety of instrumentation. Beautiful Italian-style Renaissance dress is available for period events. This theme is also available as a 
violin and recorder duo.

hear the music

English Country Dances

If you enjoy dancing at Renaissance fairs and would like to incorporate a dance element in your celebration, this is a great choice. Costuming is available. This theme is also available as a violin and recorder duo.

hear the music

Celtic Traditional

A  large repertory of Irish, Scottish and Welsh music  includes the Gow Collection of Scottish Dance Music and O'Neill's Music of Ireland. 

Repertory includes reels, jigs, hornpipes, and aires. Costuming is available. This theme is also available as a violin and recorder duo.

hear the music

Visit the Celtic Solo Violin Page for more Celtic sound samples. 

Western Theme 

Western theme events can include country and Western fiddle music,  waltzes,  and Appalachian music. Casual Western costuming available. This theme is also available as a violin and recorder duo.

hear the music

Jewish Traditional

Our  wonderful collection of Jewish music includes numerous traditional processionals, recessionals, dances, and klezmer tunes. This theme is also available as a violin and recorder duo or as solo recorder.

Festive music for an Italian wedding or reception. The Italian repertory is highly recommended for wine country events! 

Ceremony choices include a Italian Baroque music and arias arranged for violin. Receptions include traditional, romantic Italian  ballads. Solo violin only.

Classic, tuneful, traditional American  ballads. Great for Valentine's Day events, anniversaries, or special birthday celebrations. Add a touch of nostalgia to make your event memorable!

Soulful Eastern European gypsy music is  effective mixed with other international ballads 

Dorothy will be glad to consult with you about what international repertory is available.

hear the music

  Solo Violin Rates

Solo Violin Wedding Ceremony:  $300 
Includes 30 minutes of prelude music before the ceremony, all ceremony music, and an optional 15 minutes of music after the ceremony. Also included is preparation and consultation time and travel within the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento areas. 

Solo Violin Ceremony plus 30 minutes additional reception music: $350 

Solo Violin Ceremony plus one hour additional reception music: $400 
You may wish to book Dorothy Barth for an additional hour after the ceremony if  you are having a cocktail or dinner hour. Or you and your guests may enjoy some additional atmospheric music while photos are being taken. A  great way to create a lovely  and romantic ambience for your reception!

Other Events: Please contact Dorothy Barth for a quote.

Dorothy is available for freelance orchestral work such as for cantatas, oratorios, and musical theater performances.

Areas Served 

Dorothy Barth is conveniently located in Solano County and will travel to the following locations for weekend weddings and events:

San Francisco Bay Area:  For weekend events, Dorothy will perform anywhere in the San Francisco Bay area, including the Peninsula. 

Wine Country:  Let Dorothy's solo violin music enhance your wine country wedding in Napa, Sonoma, or nearby communities.  

Solano County:  Vallejo, Benicia, Fairfield, Vacaville

Marin County:  San Rafael,  Sausalito, Tiburon, Belvedere

Sacramento:  Dorothy will travel to the greater Sacramento and Davis area at no extra charge.

Visit Dorothy Barth's Freelance Writing Page

Visit Dorothy Barth's MySpace Music Page

Book Dorothy Barth

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