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String Musician Policies and Charges

Updated 8/4/2008

**Solo viola or violin ONLY are currently available for most Milwaukee, WI area events until further notice.

SOLO VIOLIN or VIOLA:

Weddings

(Includes 1/2 hr prelude, short service, and 10-15 minutes postlude after ceremony--or 1 hour of performance. For longer ceremonies, expect 1.5 hrs of musicians-see below Weddings w/Reception)

$100 per musician/per wedding ceremony (soloist)

*Without prelude and/or postlude, for use of soloist in only parts of the ceremony:

$75

Rehearsal Dinner (may include rehearsing with another ceremony soloist)

max 1 hr rehearsal w/o dinner

$60 (solo violin or viola)

max 1 hr rehearsal w/dinner separate or included in the hour

$50 (solo violin or viola)

Please keep in mind we may have another client during some wedding rehearsal times and may not be available for the rehearsal with wedding party.  I am experienced at playing and timing these events, and do not suggest a rehearsal due to the extra cost incurred to you unless special reason.  A consultation with the manager might solve any concerns you may have.

Dinner Party, In-home Gathering, Receptions, Luncheons

$75/hr

$30 per musician per half hour extra after first hour

Performance on Holidays

$100/hr

$45 per musician per half hour extra after first hour

Musicians may not be available for all holidays.

Delays/Mileage

*If an event is delayed due to changes made without informing the ensemble/soloist, an extra fee is incurred per minute. Current fee is $1. A 9 minute grace period is given, however when past 9, all minutes are in account. For example 10 minutes late=$10.

*Round trip mileage is included within a 15 mile radius (total of 30 miles round-trip). Event outside of 15 mile range is figured by mile per vehicle (usually 2, sometimes 1). Current rate is $0.40 per mile. Please refer to the list below for rough round-trip rates.

16-25 miles = $12.80-$20.00

26-35 miles = $20.80-$28.00 1 hour minimum
36-45 miles = $28.80-$36.00 1.5 hour minimum
46-55 miles = $36.80-$44.00 1.5 hour minimum
56-65 miles = $44.80-$52.00 2 hour minimum    76+ miles = 2 hour minimum

If you are outside of this range, please contact for additional quotes.  Check with Mapquest, Google Maps, or Yahoo Maps to help you determine mileage from Milwaukee, WI. Mileage is rounded up to the next mile (example: 24.6 mile round trip=25 miles)

BOOKING INFORMATION

*When communicating with the musician and/or the manager, you should expect courteous, professional discussions and clear information about the rates, what you expect from the group/soloist, and anything else related to your event. Be prepared to provide important information to the group/soloist about the exact location, time, contact at the venue and other specifics that can help the musician(s) do the best job possible.

To book the ensemble, please contact us with this information (you can also find this on another page of this website to submit electronically):

Your name

The guest of honor(s) name/company name

Your contact information/address to be reached

Event name

Where/When the event is to be held

Indoor/Outdoor

Traveling required

Consultation meeting (if necessary)

Rehearsal Needed,etc

How many musicians

Can you provide armless chairs for all musicians?

Music Specific choices

Special Concerns

How did you hear about us?

*A minimum of 4 weeks in advance allowed for booking requests for parties, receptions, etc. A minimum of 6 weeks in advance allowed for booking a wedding. Please do not book for more than a year away at a time. These are much harder to accommodate. If you would like to book with us and it is within the 4 or 6 week period from the event, the chances of us being available are less likely.

*Please notify us if there are any changes to schedule: time, day, length, etc.  It is pertinent for the success of your event for us to be aware of these changes, and they will probably save you from any extra charges that might come up if we are not notified in advance of the changes.

*Due to our busy schedules outside of the ensemble, returning a YES or NO answer to your request for our booking may take a week, but should not take longer. Please contact us with questions should a delay arise.

*A consultation meeting for a wedding/specific ceremony is included in the fee for those within a 15 mile radius. We allow 45 minutes maximum to discuss plans in person, if needed; otherwise reasonable unlimited phone calls and emails will suffice. Please contact as soon as possible with this request.  Other consultations will be done only through email and phone.

Dress Choices (please inform us if there is a preference)

men: tux/blacks   OR   dress shirt/slacks

women: long black   OR   dress shirt/skirt/slacks

Breaks

On a one hour engagement, there will be no break.
On a two hour engagement, there will be one 15 minute break
On a three hour engagement, there will be two 15 minute breaks
Please note that breaks will not be taken during wedding ceremonies or religious services.

During breaks, it is courteous to think of your musicians in terms of drinks and restrooms.  Providing refreshments or a light meal during longer engagements is much appreciated.

Outdoor performances

Because of the delicate nature of our instruments, if an engagement is to be outdoors, the area we are in must be well shaded from sun, wind, and precipitation, with comfortable temperatures. Please be sure to take the proper precautions for outdoor services, as we will not subject our valuable instruments to conditions that will damage them. Wind-breaking is also important to keep our music intact.

We provide music stands, however, not armless chairs. If you cannot supply us with the chairs for our musicians, we will bring our own for a $3 charge per chair.  Most soloists will stand but during rest period during a ceremony, for instance, seating should be available. We also need a fair amount of space to perform, depending on the size of ensemble you wish to have.  Here is a general idea of space:

Solos:  12 square feet  (based on our biggest instrument, the cello)

Duets:  16-20 square feet  (based on the cello and a violin/viola)

Trios/Quartets: 25-35+ square feet (full ensemble)

PAYMENT

Non-refundable Cash or Check. Bounced Checks will cost you more.  Checks are cashed immediately. Payments cannot yet be made via credit/debit card. We are a private party. A 25% non-refundable deposit is required at least 4-6 weeks in advance, depending on the type of event. The remaining balance is due 1 week prior to the event, and gratuities are appreciated.  For events further than 20-mile radius, full payment is expected before the event date to guarantee our arrival.  Should we not receive our full payment, we will not perform.

MUSIC NOTES

*If you would like us to accompany a vocalist during your ceremony, we will need the sheet music in the key your vocalist will perform the piece. We will meet 30 minutes prior to the prelude to rehearse with your soloist for an extra fee of $25 per accompanying player, or if you have an event rehearsal prior to date, we will rehearse with the above conditions and costs.

Special Note:  Photography is allowed. If you plan to record us for whatever reason, please contact a member of the ensemble to discuss the recording and get our permission. If we are mentioned in your program or paper, please let us know or give us a copy. We like to know you have acknowledged us and have included us in your event.

**Please understand this is a private business and we need to be compensated appropriately for our job as freelance musicians. We carry our own standards and expect the best from our members. Therefore we claim the right to charge what our time costs in today's local market. If there are any questions or concerns regarding our payment policies, please contact us immediately.  We manage our own business and take it and our clients seriously.

Why choose us?

We are young but experienced musicians: soloists and chamber musicians alike. We pride in our music and what we stand for and are willing to work directly with our clients, and are reasonably priced in today's music market. We are open to most discussion and welcome recommendations. Thank you for choosing us for your event!

Past venues

Paul Engle Center for the Arts, Artist Shows for: Bob Kocher, Hugh Lifson, Leonardo Torcuato

Weddings

Coe College Honors Convocations

Holiday music at Brewed Awakenings Coffee Shop

Private lesson teaching

Dinner Banquets/Special Holiday Occasions

Quartet Recitals and Guest Appearances/Accompaniments

 

What else are we available for?

Anniversaries, Awards Nights, Banquets, Birthday Parties, Christmas Parties, Coffee Shops, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Festivals, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Hotels, Media, Picnic, Private Parties, Restaurants, Reunions, Showers, Weddings, Teaching, Pure Entertainment, Concerts, MORE!

 

Scheduled Dates of Bookings

This section is for informational purposes only.  We hope to assist you in scheduling by providing dates and places of events so you know when we are definitely not available based on this list.  Remember, sometimes we can work out weddings or events if yours is in the morning, and someone else's is in the afternoon.  Although we cannot guarantee, sometimes people cancel too, so if you are looking at us, keep checking back.  Good luck!

 

Upcoming Dates and Events

 

 

 

 

Thanks!

Many thanks to those who deliver our name out to the communities!

Coe College

Coe College Music Faculty and Students

Malone Music, Co.

Paul Engle Center for the Arts

Red Cedar Duo www.redcedar.org

A Work of Heart by Cari--http://www.aworkofheartbycari.com/

If we have forgotten you, please email us and we'll add you to the list!

 

Just a few comments from our gallery:

"The music was lovely, thank you so much for making our day more special."

"Thank you for providing the music for my daughter's wedding on Saturday. It was all lovely and we appreciated your time and your music."

Thank you for all of your help with organizing the string trio for us for last Friday.  The group did a wonderful job and their music really added an elegant air to the brief but beautiful ceremony.  The weather cooperated for us also, which made the occasion even nicer.  Thanks again!

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