Outdoor ceremony music?

Is there a band shell or something similar behind the musicians, or is the location open air, like a park space?

Are the musicians on a platform or stage, or gazebo, or are they on ground level with your guests?

Would all the guests be able to crowd around the musicians if that should be necessary to hear them?

A band shell or wall behind the quartet would definitely help, as would any kind of raised platform. I personally would be concerned about performing acoustically for such a relatively large crowd without any bandshell, stage or amplification at all.

We're performing totally unplugged in a park for a wedding in October -- park regulations will not permit amps -- but the number of guests is about half of what you're describing, so the guests can sit very close to us. (For that wedding it's not clear that the officiant will even be allowed to use a mic. They're still trying to work that out, last I heard!)

Some classical musicians I have met refuse to amplify (especially classical guitarists, it's a tough problem for them), but it certainly can and is done all the time. I have a microphone designed for flutes that could be used to fill a stadium if it had to. There are special pick-ups for violins, violas, and cellos as well.

So, if amplification is necessary, I would be sure to ask your musicians to plan on it. It would be a shame to spend all that money on musicians that no one is the back row can hear!

My two cents,
--Karla.

Karla Harby
[email protected]
(917) 365 0876

If you have performers with exceptional quality instruments there should be no need for amplification with a string quartet. The Essex Chamber Ensemble String Quartet from my office-each musician performs on an instrument valued at over $100,000. This makes a tremendous difference in the sound quality when you have quality instruments. With instruments like these there is no need for any amplification.

STAN WIEST
A.STAN WIEST MUSIC

www.stanwiest.com

Hi Karla,
Thanks so much for your input. I've been getting different answers all across the board. The setting for my ceremony is in an outdoor courtyard. The courtyard in open air buy surrounded by 4 buildings. You can see it at www.vanderbiltmansion.com One one side, next to there is a terrace over looking the courtyard about 10 feet up which is where the quarter will be playing. Behind them is a building. I hope this makes sense. Let me know what you think from this description.

Thanks a ton,
Irene

Vanderbit Mansion definitely does not need amplification. I have provided the string quartet for many weddings there and it is totally fine without amplification.
STAN WIEST
A.STAN WIEST MUSIC
www.stanwiest.com

Hi Irene,

This is a very important question to ask.

In this setting, as you have described so well with the mansion itself as an immediate backdrop and with the stone courtyard, plus the elevation, a string quartet performing on excellent quality instruments, which all of us here at Capriccio Ensemble own and perform on, does not require amplification in such a setting to be heard very well!

If the string quartet were to be performing in a more grassy setting, amplification may be a stronger possibilty to consider.
However with a stone courtyard and the elevation you describe as added/natural accoustics, no amplification is necessary, particularly for performance at your wedding ceremony.

I can, however, suggest, as I often do for many garden weddings, that the addition of a flutist to the quartet (flute, violin, viola and cello) can certainly brighten the over-all sound quality, and projection of the quartet.

Feel free to e-mail me, or to send an FM or ask any further questions here in this forum.

With Best Wishes,

Natalie Kriegler
Artistic Director
Capriccio Ensemble
by Scarlett Music Inc.
www.capriccioensemble.com
[email protected]
212-923-4807

Yes indeed, more flutes!

The Mozart flute quartets are really beautiful too.

Hi Irene. I've played wedding ceremonies in the Vanderbilt Mansion / Dowling College courtyard several times, and I've done it with my harp, flute, and cello trio. (And with a vocalist, too.) We set up on that ledge.

I can assure you that you do not need amplification for your string ensemble. It'll be fine. Everything the others were saying hypothetically about having buildings behind you, et al, is right on for that particular courtyard. The acoustics there are great.

In fact, I think amplification would be an error. You'd lose some of the intimacy of the space.

Good question, though. And good answers from the others -- although I wouldn't have you worry about the quality of the instruments of the ensemble you've booked -- the space just isn't that sensitive. If you like how they sound, they'll sound fine in the courtyard. ...and isn't there someone at Dowling who can tell you how it's been at previous weddings, too?

PS, I love Dowling, isn't it beautiful??!!

Janet

Hi Irene - Please check your forum mail - I have some more ideas for you!


Harry
Ensemble Champlain