Inexpensive quartet? -Any college student connections?

Fairytale Princess Posted: May 03, 2004 05:14 PM

Inexpensive quartet? -Any college student connections?

I am planning my wedding at the De Seversky center for this November. Both my ceremony and reception will be there, and I would like to incorporate some string instruments (violin, cello, ...?) into the ceremony for 'ambiance', but do not want to pay a lot for it (considering it will be around 1/2 an hour...). Does anyone have any suggestions - perhaps friends, college students, etc.?

Along the same lines... there is also a grand piano that I would love to have someone playing just during the cocktail hour, so if you have any suggestions for that, they would also be greatly appreciated.

IreneinChicago Posted: May 03, 2004 05:20 PM

Re: Inexpensive quartet? -Any college student connections?

I shopped around for a string quartet and found that lyrical sting quartet had the best price.

nsgraham Posted: May 03, 2004 05:23 PM

Re: Inexpensive quartet? -Any college student connections?

Try the people on my Budget Vendor page:

Page

Fairytale Princess Posted: May 03, 2004 05:34 PM

Re: Inexpensive quartet? -Any college student connections?

Thanks so much for the tip!!
I looked around on the vendors page, and quickly online, but didn't come up with a # or Web page under Lyrical String Quartet... any tips on finding them?

Fairytale Princess Posted: May 03, 2004 05:35 PM

Re: Inexpensive quartet? -Any college student connections?

Thanks for the tip... I will check it out!

prncssrachel Posted: May 03, 2004 05:45 PM

Re: Inexpensive quartet? -Any college student connections?

As a classical performer, I can tell you to expect to pay the same amount for a half hour as you would for an hour. It's not worth it to us to rehearse and travel and what not just for a half hour's pay. I charge 250 an hour per player usually. If I don't really have to travel, I will charge 200. If I have to buy and learn new music, I will charge 300 an hour. It all depends. College students won't usually be much cheaper. We all put in the same amount of time, and someone from a good college usually has a tighter schedule which can mean you will pay more. Now, granted I am a flutist and not a string player, I can't tell you what they would charge, but this is the norm for most musicians I work with, string and otherwise. I think your best bet is to use someone who does weddings on a regular basis and isn't a concert performer mainly. You will pay less for a group that performs standardly. They will use the same music most of the time which means you don't have to shell out as much money for the cost of their time rehearsing. Hope that helped.

LIJuneBride Posted: May 03, 2004 06:28 PM

Re: Inexpensive quartet? -Any college student connections?

You could also try the music department at Five Towns College - they specialize in the arts and I'm sure you could find students that are excellent.

MaryHowell Posted: May 04, 2004 10:45 AM

Re: Inexpensive quartet? -Any college student connections?

I have to agree with a couple of the posters here about amateur musicians. My friend got married and had some college kids play at her wedding and she was very disapointed - they didn't look nice, and they didn't seem prepared. This was in North Carolina, but I have talked with a couple of groups about my wedding up here (I can let you know which one I'm using), and I don't think thayre too expensive for the piece of mind you get knowing they've done so many weddings.

FM me if you want to

Molly

ssdare Posted: May 04, 2004 10:52 AM

Re: Inexpensive quartet? -Any college student connections?

We used the Island String Quartet (Ira Kocivar 631-689-9879). They did a fine job. Ira was very easy to work with. We wanted to have a hymn during the ceremony for people to sing to and they were able to learn the song at the last minute for us. Their fee was the most reasonable - when I was looking. You must pay for minimum of 1 hour.

honored2BMOH Posted: May 04, 2004 11:11 AM

Re: Inexpensive quartet? -Any college student connections?

Re: college talent -- you should expect these students to perform at a professional level. In most cases they've been playing their respective instruments since they were toddlers and going to music school for college is the final stamp on the potential for a future career.

Depending on where you hire from you will have to factor in some sort of travel stipend. Also, if they have to learn your music, that will add to your cost. Consider that they have to find the music for all instruments, learn it individually, practice it together, and arrive at your event before time, dressed appropriately, and ready to play. Certainly, they have a large repertoire of wedding favorites, so in many cases you may not have an additional fee for time.

You're hiring people you can rely on to give a flawless performance. That's what costs you money.

:)

Fairytale Princess Posted: May 04, 2004 02:20 PM

Re: Inexpensive quartet? -Any college student connections?

Wow, thank you all so much for your suggestions. I definitely think that if I go the college student route, I should be prepared to still pay for what I am expecting: a well-prepared group of musicians.

Molly - I am sending along FM right now...

Thank you all!

capgrl26 Posted: May 04, 2004 05:24 PM

Re: Inexpensive quartet? -Any college student connections?

My Mom works at the library at SUNY Stony Brook and also hooked me up with some student musicians. I'm afraid they aren't much cheaper, charging about $250/hour.

Anne01 Posted: May 04, 2004 07:50 PM

Re: Inexpensive quartet? -Any college student connections?

My sis is a music major + member of the orchestra at Hofstra. She said she would be willing to answer any questions you have about getting together a small group of musicians - and possibly, being one of those musicians herself.

I FM you her email address