Where We Play
Answers:
1. What instrumental ensembles does Arioso Strings offer?
Quintet: two violins, viola, cello and double bass
Quartet: two violins, viola and cello
Trio: two violins and cello
Duo: violin & guitar; violin & cello, two violins
Solo: guitar, violin, trumpet or voice
2. How do I choose the appropriate ensemble for my event??
Several factors should be considered: the venue, the number of guests you have invited, the style of music you want, and the general ambience you would like to create. If your event is in a large room or outside and you are inviting over one hundred guests, it is a good idea to use a quartet, quintet or trio. For smaller events in a smaller space (up to sixty or seventy guests) a duo will work well. For an especially grand ceremony, you may want to consider highlighting the quartet, quintet or trio with a trumpet. A trumpet fanfare can add a dramatic and celebratory touch and will capture the guests' attention as the bride enters.
ALL GROUPS play the classical standards like Canon in D, Bridal Chorus and Wedding March. Specific ensembles have different characteristics and strengths.
Group Descriptions:
Quartet & Quintet: two violins, viola and cello. Add double bass to this for a quintet. These groups have the largest repertoire of classical and contemporary music (see repertoire lists). They give the fullest rendition of these songs, along with the best dynamic level (soft to loud) of any group. The quartet and quintet are adept at playing either an all classical, all contemporary or a mixed set for weddings, events and cocktail hours. Contemporary songs range from pop, rock, Broadway, movie, jazz, and video game music. Adding double bass to create a quintet gives more volume and a fuller sound. These groups take requests not on our regular list, as long as we get that request a month before the event.
*Quartet & Quintet are best for: events over 100 guests, outside events, large indoor events, contemporary and classical music, special request music.
String Trio: two violins & cello. The trio is a good choice for a standard classical ceremony and cocktail hour with 60 to 120 guests. The trio plays mainly classical music and will play mostly upbeat, elegant classical music during the cocktail hour (see repertoire lists). This music is written to highlight the trio combination of two violins and cello. There is some contemporary music arranged for this group, but not as much as the quartet. Contemporary music for the trio tends to be gentle and slower, which is good for wedding ceremonies. It is quite difficult to create a good cover arrangement of faster, upbeat contemporary songs with only three instruments (see repertoire lists).
*The Trio is best for: events with 60 to 120 guests, indoor or outdoor, with elegant classical music.
String Duos: violin & cello or two violins. String duos are beautiful for an intimate setting with events under 60 people. They provide mostly classical music and will play mostly upbeat, elegant classical music during the cocktail hour (see repertoire lists).
*The string duos are best for: intimate events under 60 people, indoor or outdoor, with elegant classical music.
Violin & Guitar Duo: This duo brings amplification for the guitar, which gives it the ability to play for a slightly larger group than the violin & cello duo. Best for events with under 100 guests. It has a very wide variety of both classical and contemporary music (see repertoire lists). It can easily take requests not on our regular list, as long as we get that request a month before the event.
*The violin & guitar duo is best for: intimate events under 100 guests, outside or indoor, contemporary and classical music, along with special request music. There needs to be a power source on location for this group.
3. How and when do I decide on the music for my wedding?
Using Arioso Strings Music Suggestions and our on-line music samples gives you easy access to music that is both beautiful and appropriate for your ceremony. Our Wedding Music Planner can be filled out on line as you listen. If you can’t decide what is appropriate we will be glad to give you further suggestions by phone or e-mail.
Music needs to be chosen and submitted through our online Music Planner one month before your ceremony.
4. Do I need to pick all of the prelude music?
It is not necessary for you to choose all the prelude music. If you give us an idea of the type of ambience you wish to create using a few examples, we can use our expertise to select the remainder of the music. For example, you may want to include hymns or have only secular music, a festive upbeat atmosphere, or a quieter, peaceful one.
5. Can you play a piece not on your repertoire list?
Each ensemble with Arioso Strings has a large repertoire list that can be found through our "Repertoire" link in the
top of this site. These pieces are a standard part of our music selections.
We can add special requests for your event if the music is available commercially for the Arioso Strings ensemble you are using. We try to accommodate all reasonable requests. Music not in our repertoire may incur additional charges for the purchase of sheet music and any arranging costs for your group (due with final payment). If you don't see something on our repertoire page, we still might have it so don't hesitate to get in touch and ask.
Contemporary pieces that have not been arranged for a string group can sometimes be professionally scored for one of our
ensembles. We have
several professional arrangers we can recommend and put you in touch with when
the music is not commercially available for the group you are using.
The cost for arranging will vary on the amount of time it takes to score the piece and the arranger will give you a quote directly for
this.
Please email lucy@ariosostrings.com and I'll send you our arranger's contact information.
We are very skillful at ending the music at the appropriate time, which is just after the last person reaches the front of the ceremony space. We will need to know how many people will be processing to each musical selection so we can time the music to fit with your pacing.
7. Will you attend the dress rehearsal?
We usually do not attend rehearsals. For an additional cost we can arrange to have one member of the group attend, but it is an unnecessary expense. During the rehearsal you will not need music to practice the processionals. The rehearsal is for organizing the wedding party and showing them when and how to walk, stand and exit. The musicians are highly experienced at playing wedding ceremonies and do not need to rehearse.
The most important thing we need when we arrive for your ceremony is an event coordinator or director who ran your rehearsal and knows how your wedding is going to work that day. This person will give us cues when the bridal party is ready to go. We will meet with them when we arrive the day of the wedding and set the timing and cues together.
8. How much space do your groups need to perform?
The largest space we need is for the quartet: The quartet requires 4 armless chairs, a space about 8 feet by 8 feet. The other groups need less space and one armless chair per performer. If the lighting is low, we require access to an electrical source within 7 feet for our small clip on music stand lights. The Violin and Guitar duo will also need access to an electrical outlet within 7 feet. The acoustic guitar uses amplification (this is provided by our musicians).
9. Do you play outdoor weddings?
Yes, weather permitting, we do play outdoor weddings. We have many beautiful outdoor venues in the area and enjoy playing often at them.
1. Our main concerns are the safety of the instruments and the ability to provide quality music. This means that we must be in the shade. Musical instruments are easily damaged by severe weather, direct sun, rain and temperature, because of this we do not play outside in temperatures below 60 degrees. If the temperature is predicted to fall below 60, but not lower than 58, then you may provide outdoor heaters next to us. If it is predicted to drop under 58 degrees heaters will not keep the temperatures around us at 60 and we will need to be inside a heated facility.
2. We cannot play in the rain...even a little rain will damage our instruments. Have a back up facility or a tent with sides where we will not be hit with any blowing rain. If there is no shelter and we are outside and it begins to rain, we will have to put our instruments and music away immediately and take cover to protect all of our instruments and music.
3. If your rain back up plan is at a different address than originally contracted address we require two hours notice the day of the event to make the change. This way we do not travel to more than one location and all members are aware of the location change and plan their travel accordingly so that they are there as scheduled. The time of the event must stay the same as the original booking as we may have another event after this one.
Click here for average monthly temperatures in the Triangle area.
10. Can you perform with the organist or singer that is at the church/synagogue?
Any music played with a musician outside of Arioso Strings may require rehearsal and a fee based on that rehearsal time. An estimate can be given for cost by phone. We also have a professional singer who can sing for your ceremony.
11. Can you provide music for my cocktail hour, reception, or special event?
Yes we can and enjoy staying to play during this time as long as it is booked in advance. We play for ceremonies, cocktail hours, receptions and any special event. If the reception is at a different location than the wedding, Arioso charges for the full length of the service, including the time to travel between both locations.
12. How far in advance should we book Arioso Strings?
It is not uncommon to contract our musicians nine months to eighteen months in advance. April through October are very popular months for weddings and the weekends fill up very quickly for us.
13. How do we book Arioso Strings?
The first step to booking Arioso Strings is to use our online contact form, or call 321-506-5762 or email us to see if we are available. If your is date open we will send you an electronic contract to sign. You will then need to send a 50% non-refundable deposit within one week. You will be notified by email when your contract and deposit are received and sent a PDF copy of the contract including our signature.
14. When is the balance of our payment due?
Once the deposit is paid, the balance will be due one week before your event. There is a late fee of $25 for payments received after the due date and payment must be received before the event.
15. What form of payment do you accept?
We accept several forms of payment and prefer personal check, cash or payments through Venmo. This will save you any additional fees and we are happy to wait a week while your contract and check are sent by mail.
Check or cashier’s check: Payable to Arioso Strings at 200 Nicholson Rd., Garner NC 27529
Cash
Credit Cards through Paypal (this will incur an additional 3.5% processing fee)
Venmo: Pay directly from your smart phone or tablet without fees.
16. Is a tip for the musicians included in the fee?
Tips are voluntary and not part of the total fee. Tipping the musicians is always very appreciated and should be based on the quality of service received leading up to the wedding and at the wedding.
17. What is the dress attire for Arioso Strings?
The musicians dress in formal all black attire unless otherwise requested. Men in long sleeve black straight collar shirts, dress pants, belt and dress shoes and women in long or calf length black. In extremely hot temperatures during outside weddings, men will dress in white short sleeve, button down shirts and black pants. Women will be dressed in calf length black.
18. Are there any charges for travel?
Weddings outside of the Triangle area may incur additional travel charges. Please email or call for a quote.
19. Who will I be working with when I plan my music?
Lucy Greenleaf will be working directly with you, giving help or guidance as you choose your music group and ceremony music. She will be preparing the music and getting all important information about your event to our Arioso Strings musicians. The week of your event all musicians will be updated and sent a confirmation with your wedding date, arrival time, playing time, along with the music needed for your wedding. On the day of your event each musician is sent a text reminder and also checks in with Lucy to let her know that they are ready to go. This personal attention ensures that the details of your event are completely communicated and prepared for your special day.