Information

Instruments

Generally violinists, cellists, flautists and drummers provide their own instruments, the venue provides the piano, and acoustic instruments do not require amplification.

For outdoor events or venues without a piano, Michelle can provide a piano keyboard (specifications) with amplifier (specifications). The engager is to provide a long enough grounded electrical cord to reach the nearest functioning electrical outlet.

Booking

To reserve our services for your event, we require a signed contract and a deposit. The deposit is usually approximately 25%, but may vary with the terms and travel; for example, if train tickets are required, the deposit covers the travel arrangements. All booking arrangements may be completed by email, phone, fax and mail. The remainder may be paid in advance by personal cheque as specified in the contract, or by cash or certified cheque at the engagement.

Process

Once our services are reserved, Michelle will assist in choosing wedding ceremony music, and will write custom music arrangements, if any. If an ensemble is to play, she will schedule a rehearsal, provide the sheet music to each musician in advance if necessary, and oversee all details involving the music and musicians. Our ensembles always rehearse for each event. If music to be played is difficult or unfamiliar, musicians receive the sheet music before the rehearsal, to ensure that our music is always well prepared.

At the Event

Each musician requires an armless chair, adequate lighting to read sheet music, and adequate elbow-room to play an instrument (approximately 4 feet by 4 feet per musician). Musicians provide their own music stands. Musicians must be positioned where we can see the procession and ceremony. When playing outdoors, musicians need to be positioned in the shade of a canopy or tree, as the sun can damage instruments. If musicians are to play for several hours, nourishment is appreciated. For events longer than one hour in duration, musicians take a short break each hour, which may be timed to coincide with speeches.