Where We Play
Answers:
1. What instrumental ensembles does Arioso Strings offer?
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 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. You can also request a free CD of all samples if you do not want to listen from your computer.
Music needs to be chosen about a month before your ceremony.
3. 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.
4. Can you play a piece not on your repertoire list?
We are happy to play requests not on the list if the music is available commercially for the ensemble. There is a cost to purchase the sheet music which can be added to the balance due.
5. How do I know if a piece is long enough for the bridal party and processional or what
We are very skillful at ending the music at the appropriate time, just as 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.
6. 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.
7. 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).
8. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Click here for average monthly temperatures in the Triangle area.
9. 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.
10. Can you provide music for my cocktail hour, reception, or special event?
Yes we can, 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.
11. How far in advance should we book Arioso Strings?
It is not uncommon to contract our musicians six months to one year in advance. April through October are very popular months for weddings and the weekends fill up very quickly for us.
12. How do we book Arioso Strings?
The first step to booking Arioso Strings is to use our online contact form, or call 919-616-0418 or e-mail us to see if we are available. If your is date open we will send you a contract by email which you can send in with a 50% non-refundable deposit. We will hold your date for five business days, giving you time to send in the check and contract by mail. You will be notified by email when your contract and deposit are receive and sent a PDF copy of the contract including our signature.
13. When is the balance of our payment due?
The balance is due one week before your wedding.
14. What form of payment do you accept?
We accept payment by personal check, cash, cashiers check, or payment through Paypal (where you may use a credit card). If you choose to use Paypal, please note that there is an additional 2.9% fee to cover the additional costs that Paypal charges us.
15. What is the dress attire for Arioso Strings?
The musicians dress formally unless otherwise requested: men in tuxedos and women in long black. In extremely hot temperatures during outside weddings, men will dress in white short sleeve, button down shirts with tie and black pants. Women will be dressed in calf length black.
16. Are there any charges for travel?
Weddings outside of the Triangle area may incur additional travel charges. Please email or call for a quote.