Our goal is not only to deliver the best music for your, but also to leave you worry-free about the music portion of your event, especially if it a wedding.

  Hopefully, the following points will give you an understanding of how we run our business.

One: Our musicians are all professionals with various degrees in music, and many years of experience.   We have been playing instruments since ages five and six, and started performing professionally in our teens.  We have been working with each other for many years and know how we fit together as a group, unlike agencies that hire different players for different jobs.

Two: Once we quote you a price – it is set in stone.  It IS a final price without any hidden fees that you will find later in the contract. We do not believe in fine print! Booking and traveling fees are already included.

Three:  We will spend as much time on the phone or e-mail to help our clients choose music for their weddings and other events as needed.  When you call us – we will return your call the same day, especially if you are looking to book a wedding group.  Wedding preparation is a hectic time, and we do whatever we can to limit their worries.   Most agencies will simply hire a group for you, and as far as music – you are on your own to decide what you want. The musicians will come and play, but what is to be played – it is up to you and no advice is given to you by the agency.

Four: If needed, we collaborate with singers and other musicians at the event.   Again, most agencies will charge extra fees for that – we do not.  

Five: We always arrive at least twenty minutes before the start of the event, so we can speak to the staff or event coordinator, to make sure that we are on the same page.  Things could and do change last minute, which is why we come early to make sure that everyone knows the order of the event.  

Here is a brief summary of what we will do for you

• use our experience to select the best group,  music and musicians for your event

• play without lengthy breaks, especially for dinners and such

• arrive early to set up and double check on details

• work with a client’s other musicians  if needed

• communicate with you by phone or e-mail as needed, and as much as needed

• organize the music once the selections are made

• arrange specific music if needed

• communicate with event staff as needed

This should help you in your decision on selecting your wedding music:

• is the ceremony indoors or outdoors ( acoustics will differ)
  

• the month of your wedding: there are a lot of “seasonal” music 
  

• number of musicians that are playing for your wedding: repertoire will differ
  

• any additional musicians for the ceremony such as singers
  

• the length of the wedding ceremony: longer pieces might have to be cut short
  

• is the ceremony traditional or contemporary
  

• how big is the bridal party: length of the piece for the processional music will differ
  

• what kind of music do you like: classical, pop, sacred, country, hymnal
  

• limitations (if any) on music if your wedding is taking place in the church
  

• any music that has to be arranged in advance: we usually ask for a four week notice

The first thing to consider is the number of musicians involved. Are you hiring a string quartet, a string trio, or a duo..? Usually larger group gives you more extensive music choices.  Next step is to set up the wedding program, and what you will have in it. Things like processional, unity candle, communion, readings and more. Once you have that set, then it’s time to insert music between or during those parts.  More often then not I end up suggesting different pieces to be played, making sure they are appropriate for the ceremony.  If needed, I meet with brides to discuss the music, making sure that we don’t only follow my suggestions, but a bride likes what we have chosen. I think that is the most involved part for me – working with brides on their music selections (and then playing them!). I have had several people who in the past have requested music that was not their best choices, and I am not afraid to point that out. However, the final decision is with the bride. I will give as much input as wanted… 

There is a difference between hiring musicians for a wedding and for an event other than a wedding. Mostly it has to do with repertoire:  a lot of wedding music should be played by at least three musicians to make it sound decent. I have played at weddings with a duo, usually violin and viola, but personally – it is something I would have never done at my own wedding.  Imagine playing a piece such as the famous Pachelbel Canon with only two musicians! It sounds “empty” and unfinished. However, if you have a small business gathering and looking for a light background music without any flare – two musicians would be just fine. 

Prior to having my own business, I have played with some musicians whose competency on their instrument has a lot of room for improvement, to say the least. Make sure you know what you are hiring: professional, or someone who “does weddings on the side” as a hobby. I can only speak from a personal experience. Several years ago, I was asked to play with a string quartet for a wedding out in Latrobe, PA. The cellist and the second violinist were still college students at the time, whereas myself and a first violin player have been playing for a lot longer. The cellist and the second violinist were half an hour late for the wedding ceremony, both had their own cars, and both had pretty unsatisfying excuses.  Thanks to them – I started my own business, vowing that I would hire only the most professional, reliable musicians in Pittsburgh, musicians that I have known and played with for a long time and trust to do the job right. All of our players are usually at the site of the wedding/event at least half an hour before hand, just to set up and be ready… The Latrobe story is by no means a reflection on all college musicians, but it IS an example where experience and maturity play a role. Since then I was involved in a couple of more jobs with the same people and the same thing happen. I am proud to say – it is never the case with our musicians. Bottom line -never be afraid to do a thorough check on musicians that you hire for your needs, especially if it is a wedding. 

Here is another concern that surfaces sometimes, especially from brides: “how do I know if musicians that I hire for my wedding will play well if  I’ve never heard them before?”. 

I’ll be honest here: you don’t know that. In the case with myself and our musicians – you have 100% guarantee of our skill level and the quality of our performance, which is why I do my best with informing people about who we are. Our professional biographies are on the web site, so is the demo CD. We all have been playing our respective instruments since ages five and six, engaging in professional performances in our teens.  I also started taking photos of people’s “thank you” cards and testimonials, putting them up on the site – that way it is clear how someone felt about our musicians, especially brides.  It is scary to get a group for a one time event and not know how it will turn out. I guess the same can be said about the wedding cake – you won’t know how it tastes until you bite into it! 

Playing a string instrument IS a highly intricate skill, requiring a lot of time, patience and consistency. I believe that regardless of age, a student has to put at the minimum half an hour a day of practicing time. Understand that that half an hour will cover the basic skills needed to maneuver around the instrument. The half an hour guideline is BARE minimum! Most of my students are NOT future professional musicians, and yet – that is what I ask of them. Kids ages 4-9 should still put in half an hour a day, possibly splitting it up in three ten-minute sessions: one before breakfast, one right after school, and one before or after dinner. The consistency is imperative, even in short sessions, very similar to dog training! ( you  are more than welcome to meet Schubert, my well-trained, and yet nutty chocolate labrador retriever!) Again – every day, even it is a short session is better than missing three, four days and then doing one day of practicing for two hours. 

That seems to be the first question that my clients ask me. First of all, consider your budget, which is why we ask that you call us to give you an exact price for your event. It will vary greatly depending on the distance the musicians have to travel, how long you would want them to play, and other factors. Second, how many guests will be attending your event? Usually, the more people are at your gathering – the more musicians should be there, so they can be heard. Also, the location:small banquet rooms, hotels, churches, auditoriums. Acoustics play a big roll in how a string quartet, trio or a duo will sound. Another factor – your music selections for the group. I will elaborate more on some of these in later posts. (more…)