Receptions & Celebrations
HIRE A STRING QUARTET FOR YOUR FUNCTION
Unless you know exactly what you want, we recommend hiring a string quartet as it provides the richest harmonies and ample volume. Most of our music is composed for string quartet, so this allows us to perform our full range of repertoire and any song requests you may have.
A string quartet consists of two violins, viola and cello, and would be suitable for a room up to 200m2.
We can also cater to your needs, so if you have something else in mind, just let us know. Some of our celebrity clients have requested large-scale string ensembles of over fifty musicians.
For clients with a smaller budget, we also offer string trio, string duo and solo violin or cello options. Please note that for string duo and solo options, music is limited to classical style.
WHAT MUSIC WILL YOU PLAY?
We will perform a variety of classical music, pop music and jazz to suit the ambience.
As a result, you need not worry about selecting the music.
By allowing us to select the music, we can minimise downtime between each song performance.
However, our clients have the option to select up to four songs to be performed.
FROM WHAT TIME SHOULD WE BOOK?
We arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of your booking time to set up and start performing on time.
We recommend booking us 15 minutes prior to your celebration’s start time.
For example, if your celebration begins at 1pm, we suggest booking us from 12:45pm. We would arrive at 12:30pm to set up and start performing at 12:45pm.
We require one armless chair per musician, adequate reading light and protection from all elements if outdoors.
HOW LONG SHOULD WE BOOK YOU FOR?
We recommend booking our string band for 1-2 hours.
For small celebrations of up to forty guests, our string band can perform up to four hours.
For bookings over 1.5 hours, our musicians require a 10-minute break each hour. For bookings over 3 hours, our musicians require a meal each.
If you have more than forty guests, we suggest a booking time of 1-2 hours, even if your celebration is longer.
The first hour is when your guests will be most quiet and interested in our music. As time goes on, so will the volume output of your guests. We are usually not listened to after the first hour.
For large celebrations with over forty guests, we suggest hiring our musicians for no longer than 1-2 hours.
We suggest playing music over speakers after we finish performing.
If your celebration is large and you’d like us to perform longer, then please consider amplifying our music.
AMPLIFICATION FOR RECEPTIONS?
Guests can be loud at receptions, especially wedding receptions. As a result, we recommend booking our live string band for only the first hour, as this is the quietest hour. Guests will be able to hear and enjoy our music during this time. If you book us 15 minutes early, we can perform while your guests arrive and for the first 45 minutes of your reception. After that, we recommend having music played over speakers.
If you’d like us to perform for a longer period, we might need to be miked, depending on the size of your venue and number of guests. While we don’t provide amplification, most large venues provide sound equipment and a sound engineer to set up a microphone in front of our string band. Alternatively, they can set up individual microphones in front of each musician. Please note that a soundcheck will be required and takes approximately 15 minutes. Please consider extending your booking by 15 minutes to allow for a soundcheck with the sound engineer.
WHAT ARE YOUR 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 7 days.
WHAT ARE YOUR PAYMENT TERMS?
- $300 non-refundable deposit to secure your booking.
- Remaining balance at least 30 days prior to celebration date.
- In the event of a cancellation, payments are non-refundable. However, a full credit can be issued if given at least 7 days notice. Credit is valid for 365 days from cancellation date.
- Overtime is subject to musicians’ availability.
- Overtime fees are calculated at $50 per 10 minutes per musician.
- To avoid overtime, please extend your booking time in advance.
If you’re ready to hire us, please fill out our booking form.
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
