Melodious Strings would love to have the honor
of assisting you to create the best musical atmosphere and experience
for you and your event.
"Kate was very helpful and quick to respond to our questions. With the 1000 other decisions being made for our day, we greatly appreciated her checking in with us from time to time to keep us moving forward with this aspect of our wedding. Thanks Kate!"
-Carter Ward, groom at Delfosse Vineyards, in Faber ,Virginia.
"Working with Kate to arrange this event was delightfully simple. The music was beautiful and much appreciated by all of our guests. Thank you for sharing your talent."
-Sister Kathy Ulrich at "Our Lady of the Angels" monastery in Crozet, Virginia (new building dedication)
"...I got compliments from a ton of people who were watching the ceremony! They were a pleasure to work with...they collaborated with me and answered all my questions to create the playlist for the ceremony..."
-Bailey, bride at Wintergreen Resort in Roseland, Virginia
Image below: Sidney Leigh Photography at Dover Hall.
Q: What string ensembles do you offer?
A: We offer a variety of string ensembles, including but not limited to:
-String quartets (standard violin/violin/viola/cello)
- -String trios (standard violin/viola/cello)
- -String duets (we offer violin/cello, violin/viola, violin/violin, and viola/cello)
- -Soloists (we offer solo violinists, violists, and cellists)
- We also offer custom ensembles if the client's needs and requests differ from the standard options above.
Q: Will a contract be provided?
A: Yes, a contract which contains payment details, location, times, etc. is sent to the client once the booking has been confirmed.
Q: Is a deposit required?
A: Yes, a non-refundable deposit that is taken from the overall quote (not in addition to it) is required once an ensemble has been officially booked for your event. We accept deposits via Venmo, Zelle, a check sent by mail, or via PayPal.
Q: Will musicians come to rehearsals?
A: Musicians can come to rehearsals for an extra fee if schedules allow and the rehearsal location is not too far (mileage rates may apply past a 2 hour commute (2 hours combined from both ways). If preferred, one of our musicians can attend as a group representative for a fee.
Q: What will the musicians wear?
A: Unless otherwise specified/requested, our string ensembles perform in formal, wedding-appropriate attire in all concert-black. We can also do business/ business casual appropriate attire if desired. Just let us know what you need and we'll make it work for you!
Q: When will musicians arrive for an event?
A: Our musicians will arrive at least a half an hour before the official start time of the performance to ensure proper set up and to discuss any final logistical details with the planner, officiant, director, etc.
Q: How will musicians know when to change selections during a wedding ceremony?
A: The musicians will need cues from a wedding coordinator or another appointed person to know when the various processionals of the different wedding parties are ready to begin. A program or script is also useful if available.
Q: What are the musicians’ qualifications?
A: All members of the Melodious Strings Ensemble are professional musicians who have been classically trained at respected and prestigious programs and universities across the country and are active performers with many local orchestras and ensembles.
Q: How soon should I book?
A: Sooner is better, as preferred dates fill up very quickly, and we are often booked as far as a year and a half in advance. Saturdays in April, May, June, September, and October, get filled up the most quickly first. We are already filling up our dates as far as October 2024 as well.
Q: Can the musicians perform outside?
A: Yes! However, there are sometimes weather conditions that are not instrument-friendly. We cannot perform outside if any of the following conditions are present:
- If there is any type of precipitation
- If no shade is provided for the ensemble (direct sunlight damages instruments and prevents them from staying in tune)
- If it is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit
Q: Does Melodious Strings provide amplification and/or microphones?
A: We do not currently provide amplification for our ensembles. However, we find that for ceremonies, amplification is not usually necessary, as the ensemble is positioned closely off of one corner of the ceremony location, and there is little to no competition for noise during the ceremony. For cocktail hour, we typically recommended hiring a larger ensemble such as a trio or or quartet to better project their sound in the louder environment of the cocktail hour.
Q: Can pieces be performed that are not on your repertoire lists?
A: Yes, absolutely! We take custom requests all the time. For repertoire requests that we do not already have available on our repertoire lists, we are currently including 3 new custom arrangements with any of our wedding packages for no additional fee. More than three new custom arrangements are charged separately, and are subject to time available to arrange them.
We do ask that if you have more than 3 new custom arrangement requests that are not already listed on our repertoire lists that you give us minimally three months notice so that we have adequate time to arrange and rehearse the new music. 3 or fewer arrangement requests require at least two months notice so that we have time to arrange and rehearse the new repertoire.
Q: Can the ensemble accompany a soloist?
A: Yes! For an additional fee, our ensembles can accompany a soloist. Accompanying an additional soloist would be an additional, separate fee. We would also either need the instrumental parts to accompany the soloist, or to receive the vocal/piano score that the soloist uses at least 2 months prior to the event so that we can arrange the string ensemble accompaniment accordingly. This fee does not cover rehearsal on a separate date besides the event date-the ensemble would arrive early prior to the event on the day of to rehearse and run through the piece with the soloist.
Q: Do you provide event insurance?
A: Yes! As of May 2019, we are pleased to announce that we now provide event insurance for every one of our events, and it is included in every package for no additional cost. Just let us know if your venue requires it and we'll be happy to email them an insurance certificate specifically covering your event date.
Q: How much do you charge for your services?
A: We charge based on the type of ensemble being booked and the location of the event. Even though the original musicians of Melodious Strings met at James Madison University, we have moved ever outwards as we have graduated and included more musicians from all over the state, so travel fees are incorporated into our quotes as well. To receive a custom quote for your event, contact us with:
- Your service needs (wedding, corporate event, business opening, anniversary, luncheon, gala, or other special event)
- If you have a specific type of ensemble you are wishing to book (quartet, quintet, trio, duet, soloist, etc.)
- Time frame and the date the ensemble is needed for, and
- Your event location/venue
Q: What type of payment does Melodious Strings accept for the remainder of the balance, and what is your payment policy?
A: We accept Venmo, Zelle, check, and PayPal. Payment is due on the day of the booked event. If payment is mailed via check, we request that the check be mailed out minimally 4 weeks prior to the event.
Q: Do Melodious Strings ensembles require a tip/gratuity?
A: No, we do not require or expect a tip/gratuity. However, should you decide to tip your booked ensemble, your gratuities are always very much appreciated by the musicians. Any and all tips/gratuities received go straight to the musicians themselves.
Q: Cancellation Policy
A: We ask that any cancellations be made at two weeks prior to the event to avoid paying for the full balance of the service. If a cancellation is made less than two weeks before an event, the full balance is owed to the ensemble listed in the contract.
Q: Do the musicians need to be provided with anything?
A: Armless chairs for the musicians will need to be provided, and if outdoors, appropriate shade and/or shelter, as string instruments are very susceptible to the outdoor elements. Melodious Strings will provide the sheet music and music stands.
Q: Would you be willing to travel for my wedding?
A: Yes, absolutely. If we are available for your wedding date, and our travel expenses are covered (to cover fuel, meals, our time, overnight accommodations if needed, etc.), we are more than happy to travel for a couple's special day. Please reach out to us with your special day's specific date and location, and we will let you know our availability and a custom quote for your event's wedding soundtrack.
If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to contact us for more information.
A Melodious Strings Solo Violinist performed at Sorella Farms in Evington, Virginia.
Alina Thomas Photography |
"I feel extremely lucky to have found Kate to perform our wedding ceremony music. She was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. Kate was very informative and willing to help me plan out music for each part of our ceremony. She was very open to my ideas and offered her opinions which I really appreciated. Wedding planning can be so stressful and having someone like Kate to work with really helped ease my mind. She was easily my favorite vendor! We received so many compliments on the ceremony music and I could not stop singing her praises." |
Header photo by David Abel at the Omni Homestead.