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lyric ensemble
F A Q s
FAQs
- Do different instrument combinations mean different repertoire?
- Under what conditions will the ensemble play outdoors?
- How do I decide between a duo, trio and quartet?
- Am I locked into the time specified on the contract?
- Will the ensemble come to my wedding rehearsal?
- I would like the ensemble to play for my wedding and my reception- which are at two different sites. How will I be charged?
- How much time before my ceremony should I have the music begin playing?
- How will the ensemble be dressed?
- How much space does the ensemble require?
- What do I need to provide for the musicians?
- I would like to have a singer at my ceremony. Can the ensemble accompany him/her?
- Why are there travel charges?
- What if I would like a song played that is not on your repertoire list?
- Is the ensemble amplified?
1. Do different instrument combinations mean different repertoire?
Yes, each duo, trio and quartet has its own repertoire list. Some of the selections can be played by more than one combination, but please check the repertoire list and do not assume that any combination can play a particular selection.
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2. Under what conditions will the ensemble play outdoors?
The ensemble will play outside only if it is 60 degrees Fahrenheit or above, they are in a shaded and covered area and their instruments will not be exposed to any precipitation (i.e. blowing rain). Occasionally tree shade is acceptable- but be sure and check which direction the shade falls at the precise time of day of your event.
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3. How do I decide between a duo, trio and quartet?
For a gathering of fifty people or more we strongly recommend at least a trio so that the music will be heard. For a hundred people or more, a quartet is best. Also, remember that the repertoire is different for each combination. If you want Brandenburg Concerti you must have a quartet- if you want Ave Maria (by Bach) played, you must have a guitar in the ensemble.
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4. Am I locked into the time specified on the contract?
Yes! Please allow adequate time for your event as the ensemble often has more than one function per day. For this reason, many people book
1-1/2 hours for a ceremony only. The majority of weddings start 10-15 minutes late, which can make it impossible to be finished in one hour. If your event starts promptly and it is a very short ceremony (20 minutes maximum), it will comfortably fit into a one hour booking. Please remember that weddings in the mountains regularly start late because guests often do not allow enough travel time.
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5. Will the ensemble come to my wedding rehearsal?
Yes, the ensemble will attend a rehearsal but you must do a contract and pay the regular fee- whether it is a rehearsal or a wedding. It is extremely rare for us to be contracted for a rehearsal. After doing weddings for over ten years, we feel comfortable enough to go over the details by phone and not attend rehearsals. The ensemble always arrives early enough at a wedding to speak with whomever is officiating the ceremony and clear up any last minute details.
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6. I would like the ensemble to play for my wedding and my reception- which are at two different sites. How will I be charged?
The time specified in the contract is when the ensemble begins and ends playing. So you will be charged for one amount of time- even if there is travel involved. For example: if the ensemble begins playing for the ceremony at 10:15 a.m. and plays at the reception until 2:15 p.m., you will be charged for four hours.
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7. How much time before my ceremony should I have the music begin playing?
Many people have the music begin fifteen minutes before the wedding. Most guests arrive late for a ceremony rather than early! If you know that you will be taking pictures before the ceremony, often people book the music thirty minutes before. If family members are present and waiting, it is nice for them to have the music to listen to.
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8. How will the ensemble be dressed?
Unless you specify otherwise, the ensemble will be dressed in concert black or
in black and white (men in tuxes and women in skirts or pants with a white
blouse). We know that your event is very important and strive to look well-groomed and professional.
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9. How much space does the ensemble require?
Usually more than you expect! To perform a musical instrument comfortably (and especially with a bow!), the players cannot sit close together. A cellist in particular needs adequate space.
General guidelines are:
Duo- 5 feet deep X 8 feet long
Trio- 8 feet deep X 12 feet long
Quartet- 10 feet deep X 15 feet long
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10. What do I need to provide for the musicians?
An armless chair for each performer is absolutely necessary. We bring our own music stands. Adequate lighting (if you would be comfortable reading a book) is also important. Please be sure and tell Kimberlee if you are having a candlelight ceremony or a less than bright dinner so that we can bring stand lights. Also, if the ensemble is booked for three hours or more it is greatly appreciated if we are provided with food. Often we are invited to partake of a buffet on one of our breaks. Thank you!
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11. I would like to have a singer at my ceremony. Can the ensemble accompany him/her?
It is difficult for the entire ensemble to rehearse with a singer, and we do not have a vocalist that we recommend. Often there is a family member or friend who would like to sing at a wedding. Our guitarist is willing and able to rehearse with the singer beforehand at $30/30 minutes at his teaching studio in downtown Boulder, and then perform with them at the ceremony at our standard rate. So if you would like the guitarist, be sure and choose an ensemble that includes guitar for your wedding! There is one stipulation: the guitarist must be sent a copy of the music for approval before he agrees to accompany the singer.
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12. Why are there travel charges?
The ensemble often performs at more than one event per day. To travel to certain sites (particularly for a one hour engagement) is not very cost effective. Our musicians come from various parts of the Boulder/Denver area. We try to strictly limit our travel fees (they are very low compared to our performance fees) and average them out.
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13. What if I would like a song played that is not on your repertoire list?
The first step is to mail us the sheet music for the song. Each event is limited to only one selection not on our list. We will look at the music and if it can be played easily by the instruments you have chosen, everything is fine. If parts need to be written out from the sheet music, I will give you a price quote for someone to do this. If you only have a recording of the song, you can mail a tape of it to me, and I will get a price for someone to write it out. To do this is a minimum of $60.00. Please remember that not all songs are suitable for all instrument combinations. If the piece that you would like is on another repertoire list (i.e. quartet list) and you are hiring a trio, then it is definitely not possible. We cannot just leave out a part as this compromises the quality of our presentation.
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14. Is the ensemble amplified?
No, if you want the ensemble to be amplified you will need to hire someone else to bring microphones and the necessary equipment to amplify our group. Our guitarist does use a small battery powered amp to boost his sound enough to balance it with the other instruments, but it can only be used for the guitar.
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