Scroll down the list of questions--you may find the answer to a question of your own! If you have a question not addressed here, please ask!
Q: Do your groups have experience?
A: We have been playing together as professionals for nearly eleven years. We have literally played hundreds of weddings, receptions, and other events. Consequently, we have become very good at what we do!
Q: Of what does a 'typical' ceremony consist?
A: Typically, a wedding ceremony consists of us playing prelude music 20 minutes prior to the ceremony so that your guests arrive to the sound of music filling the air. We then play the processional for the bridal party and the bride. Sometimes we play a selection during the ceremony--either for the lighting of the Unity Candle, or for a special interlude. We then play the recessional, and finish with music for your guests to exit by.
Q: What is a string trio, exactly? What is a brass trio?
A: A string trio is a group of three stringed instruments: two violins and one cello. A viola is also interchangeable for the 2nd violin. A brass trio is a group of three brass instruments: two trumpets and one trombone. A french horn can also be substituted in a brass trio.
Q: What is the difference between the duo, the trio, and the quartet?
A: This is a question that gets asked a lot! The best way to explain it is to ask you to think of listening to a song being sung. If just one person sings, that person sings the melody. That is like what the first violin or first trumpet does in our group, the melody. At ball games, someone sometimes sings The Star-Spangled Banner alone, with no accompaniment. That is what melody sounds like by itself. It can be very nice, very effective, but it also sounds somehow 'lonely'. The next important function to add to the melody is the bass line, like what the cello does in a string group. The bass line provides the structure to the melody in much the same way a foundation gives structure to a building. If you are hiring a duo, you will have melody in the upper instrument and bass line in the lower instrument. Larger groups like the trio and the quartet simply add what is known as 'counter-melody' for more thickness to the mix.
Q: Who decides what music is played, and when?
A: The answer to this is that you can have as much or as little to do with the decision making process as you like. Some purchasers of our services tell us, "You are the experts, I trust in your talent and experience. Please make the musical decisions for me." Others wish to give us certain guidelines, such as telling us to include (or to be sure NOT to include!) certain songs at certain points and then leave the rest to us. Still others are very sure of exactly what they want, and tell us what they would like played and when.
Q: Are there mileage or travel expenses?
A: Yes, for jobs which require travel beyond our normal range. Call or email for an exact quote.
Q: How far in advance should your services be engaged?
A: Musicians are a little different from other wedding and commercial services. Your wedding dress, your party caterer, or your hall often require bookings in advance of at least a year. Very often we musicians cannot safely assure you of our services more than a year in advance. We are often contracted members of a Symphony whose rehearsal schedule is announced for the upcoming season in the late summer. Therefore, we tend not to want to book too far in advance to protect our integrity. Another thing to realize is that we are capable of playing at a moment's notice. We have been called in as last minute replacements when another group became unable to fulfill its commitment. So, with us it is sometimes too early but never too late to book our services! Please call to reserve your date. (912) 728-KEYS (5397)
Q: Will you hold a date for someone?
A: When someone calls or e-mails with an inquiry about our services, we promptly send out contracts outlining all the details of our services. Upon receipt of these contracts (there will be 2 identical copies), you should sign and return one along with a 50% NON-REFUNDABLE deposit. Upon receipt of the contract and deposit, your date is secured and the musicians are booked. Until then, your date is considered "open".
Q: What kind of music do you play?
A: We play classical music which can best be defined as 'light'. You will recognize much of our music whether or not you are well-versed in classical music. Our musical selections change slightly depending upon what type of event we are playing. For weddings, we play a number of elegant, beautiful pieces before the ceremony. After the ceremony, we play very joyous, bright, and fast pieces. At a reception we have a broad range of pieces we play--from Baroque to Beyond. We can include some variety with tangos, rag times, and arrangements from musicals, if desired. But do realize that we are classical musicians! It is our presumption that we were hired because of an appreciation for our music, and we do not veer into other musical areas which are better handled by others.
Q: Do you play dance music?
A: The answer to that question is that we do not. On occasion we have been asked to play a ceremonial waltz for a bride and groom before the dance band or DJ arrived for the dancing. That, we can do, but we are not a dance band.
Q: Does the group attend the wedding rehearsal?
A: A wedding rehearsal involves assembling a group of people and organizing the way they make their entrances, the way they stand, and the way they make their exits. Because of our extensive experience with wedding ceremonies, we do not need to attend the wedding rehearsal. With the answers to some well-placed questions, we gain all of the information we need in order to successfully plan our timing. We will phone you two weeks prior to your date to make sure all of these questions are answered and all details are confirmed.
Q: What do the musicians wear?
A: Musicians wear black, traditionally, so as not to draw attention away from the music itself. We follow that tradition, with the occasional addition of white accents. In the summer, we may occasionally wear black and white in order to keep ourselves a little more comfortable. We are always dressed in a professional manner.
Q: How well do the instruments carry? Do you use amplified sound?
A: The answer to this question involves different variables. For a wedding ceremony, the 'carrying power' of string instruments is not called into question at all. We need no amplification even in the largest of ceremonies. Brass groups have no difficulty being heard in any venue.
At receptions, there is more competition for us. People are conversing freely, which creates a low level of sound over which we need to try to project. If the room is large, carpeted, and if the number of guests is approaching 300, then honestly we cannot project over the crowd. We become an "oasis" of sound that those closest to us hear perfectly and those furthest away hear faintly. An event like this works best if we are positioned near the entrance or near the hors d'oeuvre table--in other words, if we are positioned near a place where everyone has a reason to go.
Q: Is a deposit required?
A: Yes, a 50% NON-REFUNDABLE deposit is required with the return of the contract. The balance is due one week prior to the date of services.
Q: Should dinners be provided for the musicians?
A: We are always touched at the consideration of someone who asks us that question, but the answer is, "No, thank you!" We are not your guests, so do not concern yourself with entertaining us.
However, if it is an engagement which spans through two meals, and we have no opportunity to leave and refresh ourselves, then it would be quite considerate to make provision for us.
Finally, if the event is a buffet and you have mentioned ahead of time that we should feel welcome to partake, then we will do so on one of our breaks.
Q: Will you play for our vocalist?
A: We can play with your vocalist, however, there are several important things you must know. First, the fee for the wedding will have to be amended, because our playing for a vocalist will require a special musical arrangement to be made, and will also require rehearsal time between us and the vocalist. Every situation is different, so this issue is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Q: Frankly, your price is more than I had anticipated....?
A: Anyone who has attended an event where amateur, sub-standard, or even student musicians were hired (because the price was 'right') can tell you it really is true--you do get what you pay for. There is no substitute for the years of experience and the high level of performance expertise our musicians provide. We have worked long and hard to get where we are today, sacrificing long hours to practicing and schooling in order to become very good at what we do.
Anyone can play a CD...fewer people can play an instrument, and fewer still play well. When you hire us, you are getting something unique and special. Music is too important an aspect of your event to be trusted to just anyone--leave it to talented professionals to make it just right!
InstrumentaLinks, Inc.
P.O. Box 964, Rincon, GA 31326
(912) 728-KEYS (5397) ~
music@instrumentalinks.com
