For Funeral Services, Farewell Services & Wakes
Hire a string quartet for your loved-one’s funeral service and wake.
Funerals and farewell services are never easy to organise. So much to plan in a short space of time, so many emotions and often without any sleep.
Music is a way for us to say ‘goodbye’ and to express our emotions without the need for words.
Despite the importance of live funeral music, it is often overlooked or believed as not possible at short notice.
Our award-winning classical musicians have performed for hundreds of funeral services and wakes at very short notice.
For us, there is nothing more honouring than being a part of someone’s farewell. We would be honoured to help celebrate the life of your loved-one.
WHAT KIND OF MUSIC WILL YOU PERFORM?
For funerals, our clients have generally preferred us to perform reflective classical music that is not too upbeat but also not sombre.
We are flexible and will cater to your needs, so please let us know if you prefer something different than the above.
You can listen to over 200 of our recordings here.
If you have any special song requests, please let us know as soon as possible and we will do our very best to accommodate. If we do not have the sheet music, we will endeavour to arrange it. All clients are entitled to three special requests at no additional cost.
WHEN DO YOU PERFORM AT FUNERAL SERVICES?
We most commonly perform while guests arrive, one song for the service commencement, a few songs during the reflection or slideshow, one song for the conclusion of the service and while guests exit.
We are flexible, so if you would like us to perform at other times during the service, please let us know.
It is helpful to indicate in the service booklet when we are to perform. If it is not possible, not to worry. We will discuss details with the funeral director upon arrival.
WHAT TIME SHOULD WE BOOK YOU FROM?
For funeral services, we suggest booking us 15 minutes prior to the commencement of the service. We can then perform a variety of reflective music while guests arrive and are seated.
For example, if the service begins at 9am, please book us from 8:45am. We will arrive no later than 8:30am to set up and start performing at 8:45am.
WHAT TIME SHOULD WE BOOK YOU UNTIL?
Often funeral services do not end exactly at the scheduled time. As a result, we suggest booking us for an additional 15 minutes at the end just in case the service lasts longer than expected.
If you would like to book us for the wake as well, then please consider extending your booking accordingly. If we are required to travel to a different venue for the wake, then please submit two separate bookings.
For clients who book us for both the service and wake, we offer a 10% discount off both bookings.
WHAT ARE YOUR REQUIREMENTS?
We perform acoustically, so we do not need any sound equipment or access to power.
Here are our requirements:
- An armless chair per musician setup upon arrival.
- Adequate reading light.
- Adequate protection from direct sunlight, rain and wind.
- No performances on or near the beach due to instrument damage risk.
- 2.5m x 2.5m for a string quartet. Trio 2m x 2m. Duo 1.5m x 1.5m. Solo 1.5m x 1m.
- 10-minute break each hour for bookings over 1.5 hours.
- Meal per musician for bookings over 3 hours.
- If booking a pianist, venue must provide tuned piano.
- Song requests may not be possible if function is within 14 days.
HOW DO I SUBMIT AN URGENT BOOKING REQUEST?
If you fill out our booking form and provide as much detail as possible, we will respond to you within 24 hours.
We will reply to your email confirming your booking and the total cost.
You can also view our prices here.
We will also give you a quick call to confirm your booking and to answer any questions you may have.
To secure the musicians, we will require your full payment by bank transfer. Please take a screenshot of your payment transfer or deposit receipt.
WHAT’S YOUR DRESS CODE?
Our dress code for all performances is formal black for ladies. For men, it’s formal black pants, white dress shirt, and long black tie. If you’d prefer us to dress in all formal black, please let us know.
WHO ARE YOUR MUSICIANS?
We are award-winning classical musicians who perform with Australia’s leading symphony orchestra and ensembles, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Canberra Symphony Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Coffs Harbour String Quartet and Newcastle String Quartet.
We are registered with the Australian Government as trusted award-winning musicians and recording artists.
We’re located in all of Australia’s major cities, including Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, Newcastle and Coffs Harbour.
We’ve listed all our prices on our website.
Please contact us if you require any assistance.
OUR AWARDS
- Atheneum Chamber Music Award
- ABC Young Performer of the Year Award
- Australian Chamber Music Competition
- Asia Pacific Chamber Music Competition
- Hephzibah Menuhin Competition
- Australian Concerto Competition
- Australian National Piano Award
- Fine Music Australia Young Performer Award
- 4MBS Musica Viva Sid Page Memorial Prize
- Dorcus McClean Travelling Scholarship
- Kendall National Violin Competition
- Geelong Advertiser Music Competition
- Musica Viva Grand Prize
- Geoffrey Parsons Award
- Melbourne Abroad Travelling Scholarship
- Austral Salon Instrumental Competition
- Mietta Song Recital Award - Best Pianist
- Centenary Medal for Service to the Arts
- Margaret Sutherland Bursary Award
- Australia Council for the Arts Award
- E.V Llewellyn Memorial Scholarship
