FAQ
General Questions
What instruments are in a string quartet? In its traditional form, a string quartet is composed of 2 violins, viola and cello. What do you require at the venue? The quartet requires 4 upright, armless chairs and a space about 8 feet by 10 feet. Will you play outdoors? Yes. Our only concerns are the safety of the instruments and the ability to provide quality music. This means there must be no precipitation. Do you perform at receptions as well as wedding ceremonies? Yes. We often play during cocktails, dinner, and if there is no dance band, the whole of the reception. How do I know how much time to book the quartet for my wedding? For a simple wedding ceremony, one hour is sufficient time. For a Catholic or Episcopal mass, allow 1.5 - 2 hours. Add time, if needed, for cocktail hour and reception My wedding ceremony and reception are at two different locations. How do you charge for performing in two venues like that? The quartet charges for the full length of the job, including the time to travel between venues if there is more than one. |
Planning Questions
How far in advance should we book the quartet? We encourage you to book as early as is feasible, since the majority of winter and spring weekend dates book up rather quickly. We reserve dates on a "first come, first served" basis, and your date is reserved when your contract and deposit are received. Do we need to meet in person? It is not actually necessary to meet in person. All details can be addressed over the phone or by email. However, if you prefer an in-person meeting, we are happy to arrange one. Will you perform with guest instrumentalists or singers? Yes. We will be happy to communicate directly with them ahead of time to work out details. Do you need to rehearse with the guest instrumentalist or singer? Yes. We can arrange to meet earlier at the venue before the ceremony. The amount of time necessary depends on the music. (an additional fee does apply) Will you attend the wedding rehearsal? I'm worried that my wedding party will not be timed to the music. It is not necessary for us to attend wedding rehearsals. We are adept in timing the music to the right length. However, if you would like one member from the group to attend your rehearsal, we can do so. (an additional fee does apply) |
Prelude
Questions about Pre-Ceremony Music Should I have music before my ceremony? We recommend 20 minutes of prelude music prior to the start time of the ceremony, whether in a church, synagogue, hotel, or other venue. This sets the mood for your guests as they arrive and wait for the ceremony to begin. How do I choose the prelude music? Am I required to select the whole program? It is not necessary for you to choose all prelude music, unless of course you want to. If you give us an idea of the type of ambience you wish to create using a few examples, we can select the appropriate music. |
Ceremony
Questions about your Wedding Ceremony How many pieces should I choose for the processional? For more information and ideas on programming the music for your ceremony, please refer to the Repertoire section of our website. For a Christian or non-denominational wedding, you might have three separate pieces: one for the entrance of the mothers, one for the bridal party, and finally one for the entrance of the bride. This will be determined by the size of the bridal party, the venue, and the client’s preference. We will help you with this decision during consultation. How will you know when to start the processional music? We will need a signal either from a representative at the venue, a wedding coordinator, or an usher. We will consult with the pre-arranged person before the ceremony and confirm the plan. Do you need to know how long the music will be in order to time our entrance to finish with the music? No. You can leave that up to us. We are very skilled in ending the music at just the right time. We need only know how the number of people and the order in which they are processing to each piece of music. Can I have music during my ceremony? Yes. During a Christian ceremony, there is often room for short pieces of music: after readings, during the lighting of the unity candle, and of course communion or parts of the Mass. We recommend asking your officiant about this to see what is appropriate for your ceremony. The quartet will gladly play whatever selection you would like. How many pieces do I choose for the recessional? In general, there would be one piece performed during the exit of the entire wedding party, and one or two more depending on the number of guests that will be exiting the venue. |