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Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the questions below
to find the answers. If you have other questions you can email us at
jwstanek@aol.com or call Jackie at
515-255-2988.
1. What
instruments are in a string quartet?
2. What
type of occasions do you play for?
3. Do
you play for wedding receptions also?
4. How
do we pick out the music for our wedding ceremony?
5. Can
we have a trumpet play with the quartet?
6. When
do we need to pick out the music for a wedding ceremony?
7. What
does the quartet wear?
8. What
does the quartet require to perform?
9. Do
we need to meet in person?
10. Do
you play outdoors?
11. How
do we hire the quartet for an event?
12. How
far in advance should we book your quartet?
13. How
do you charge for an engagement?
14.
Since you are based in Des Moines, do you play engagements outside the Des
Moines area?
1. What instruments are in a string
quartet?
The traditional string quartet is composed of two violins, one viola, and
one cello.
2. What type of occasions do you play for?
We can play for all types of occasions. The most often requested is for
weddings, but we can also play for parties, dinners, conventions, funerals -
just about any occasion where nice music would enhance the occasion.
3. Do you play for wedding receptions also?
Many times we play for just the wedding ceremony but we also play for the
reception,
cocktail hour, dinner hour, for as long as you desire.
4. How do we pick out the music for our wedding
ceremony?
During the wedding ceremony, different pieces of music are usually needed for
each of the following:
- Prelude: 20-30 minutes of music while the guests are being seated.
- Seating of the parents and grandparents: this can be part of the prelude music or a
specific selected piece.
- Entrance of the bridal party: this would include the entrance of the
minister or priest, groomsmen, brides maids, flower girls, ring bearer, etc.
- Entrance of the bride.
- Sometimes a short piece may be needed for part of the ceremony, such as
for lighting of the unity candle or presentation of the gifts if there is to
be a communion.
- Recessional: exit of the bridal party.
- Postlude: while the guests are leaving.
Check with your officiator or wedding coordinator as to what will be needed
for your particular service.
You can select music to be played from our
music library. If you click on the
wedding music link there is a partial list of music
in our library that is appropriate for weddings. It also includes a
Guide to Selecting Your Wedding Music.
You can pick out all of the music, but many times the bride and/or groom will
select music just for the ceremony while we will select music to be played for
the prelude and postlude. It's entirely up to you - we're flexible.
If you would like a piece played that doesn't appear on our list, we may be
able to order it given adequate notice.
5. Can we have a trumpet play with the quartet?
Yes. When a trumpet is used, it is usually for the entrance of the
bride and for the recessional. We have several pieces of music that a
trumpet can be used with. See the list of music
for weddings.
6. When do we need to pick out the music for a wedding
ceremony?
It is best if you could pick out the music as soon as possible and review
your selections with your officiator or wedding planner in case the church has
any specific rules regarding the music being used. If you want us to use a
piece of music that is not in our library, you will need to allow time for us to
locate and purchase the music.
7. What does the quartet wear?
We usually wear long black dresses or pant suits with the men wearing either black suits or black
tuxes. If you have a particular preference let us know and we will do our
best to accommodate you.
8. What does the quartet require to perform?
The quartet will need four chairs without arms situated in a well-lit
location. If music stands are
available at the location, we will use them, otherwise we will bring our own.
If we are playing for a wedding, we need to be situated where we are able to
see the wedding party as they enter.
9. Do we need to meet in person?
Meeting in person is usually not necessary. The planning can be done either over the phone and/or by email. If
you are hiring us to play for your wedding, one of us will try to attend your rehearsal to
finalize details.
10. Do you play outdoors?
We do play outdoors, but not usually during the hottest months of the year.
The high heat and humidity make it difficult to play and can damage our valuable
instruments. If we do play outdoors, we need full shade and protection
from any
precipitation.
11. How do we hire the quartet for an event?
When you determine that you want to hire us, we will send you a contract that
states all of the details of the engagement. Signing and returning the
contract along with a deposit will hold your date.
12. How far in advance should we book your quartet?
We are usually booked 2-6 months in advance. This allows time for
planning, for you to pick out music, and for us to acquire music, if necessary.
However, we can often accommodate you on short notice if we have the date
available.
13. How do you charge for an engagement?
Our cost is figured according to the total length of the engagement - from
the time we start playing until we stop. For a wedding, this would be from
when we start playing the prelude music until the end of the postlude.
14. Since you are based in Des Moines, do you play
engagements outside of the Des Moines area?
We can, but we may need to charge a mileage fee depending on the distance.
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