Frequently Asked Questions

General               Prelude               Ceremony                     Planning

General:

How far will you travel?

Our playing area includes Raleigh and the surrounding area within a 30 mile radius. Weddings located outside the Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham or Chapel Hill) incur a travel fee depending on the location and as our schedules permit.

What instruments are in the ensembles? 

A string quartet consists of two violins, viola and cello. The Trio can be two violins and a cello or violin, flute and cello. The Duo is violin and cello. The Brass Quartet consists of two trumpets, trombone and tuba. The Brass Quintet adds a French Horn and allows for greater musical selections and variety.

What do you require at the venue? 

The ensembles require upright chairs without arms, a space about 8 feet by 8 feet, and if the lighting is low, we may require access to an electrical source within 10 feet. We appreciate an area that people do not walk through.

Will you play outdoors? 

Yes. Our only concerns are the safety of the instruments and the ability to provide quality music. The Brass Ensembles are perfect for outdoor weddings because the sound carries well and the instruments can withstand temperature extremes. The string instruments cannot play outside if the temperature is below 60F degrees or above 85F degrees or if there is any precipitation.

How do the musicians dress? 

The dress is formal unless otherwise specified: men in tuxedos and women in black and white. 

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Should I have music before my ceremony?

We recommend prelude music one-half hour before the start time of the ceremony, whether in a church, synagogue, or hotel. This provides beautiful music and sets the mood for your guests as they arrive and wait for the wedding ceremony to begin.

How do I choose the prelude music?

It is not necessary for you to choose all the prelude music, unless of course you want to. If you give us an idea of the type of ambiance you wish to create using a few examples, we can select the appropriate music.

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How many pieces should I choose for the processional?

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 and the venue. We will help you with this decision during consultation.
  
For a Jewish wedding, often there are two pieces: one for the entrance of the rabbi, family elders, groom and his parents, and bridal attendants, and another for the entrance of the bride and her parents. On occasion, the Rabbi or cantor will vocalize through their own entrance, and then the quartet will begin for the rest of the entrances.

Do we need to know how long the music will be in order to time our entrances 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 many people are processing to each piece of music.

Can I have music during my ceremony?

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 officiator about these too, as there are certain pieces of music that may not be appropriate.

During a Jewish ceremony, there is generally no music from the strings or brass. Often the cantor, if present, will sing here.

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 for the exit of your guests.

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How far in advance should we book the musical ensemble?

We encourage you to book as early as is feasible, since the majority of weddings take place on weekends.

Can I change the music selections?

Up to three weeks before your event you may change your selection(s). Please, no last minute requests.

Will you perform with guest instrumentalists or singers?

This is a touchy subject. Yes we can, however in past events we have been partnered with less than adequate musicians who we've had to teach on the spot. If we decide to perform with a guest we'll meet with the artist(s) one hour before the ceremony to rehearse the selections.

Do we need to meet in person?

It is actually not necessary to meet in person. All details can be addressed over the phone, but, if you prefer meeting in person, we would be happy to meet you at our studio or during one of our rehearsals as scheduled..

Will the ensemble attend the wedding rehearsal?  

It is not necessary for us to attend. We are adept in timing the music to the right length.