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Frequently Asked Questions
The use of music during the wedding ceremony is of critical importance and plays a crucial role in creating the setting and mood which you will treasure in your heart and memories. Over 70% of your wedding ceremony is actually music!
Reputable professional musicians with strong credentials and a wealth of talent can be difficult to find. This guide will help you find the most appropriate musican for your event, and help you prepare for basic information and questions you will need to ask.
Availability -The first thing every musician will want to know is your specific date and time frame. Requesting a quote before you have chosen a specific date and time frame for your event is not advisable since musicians' schedule change dramatically and frequently. Book Early! Don't wait untill the last minute to reserve your date! In many cases, particularly holidays and summer events, dates can fill up a year to eighteen months in advance. As soon as you know your event date and time, call for availability information.
Holding/Reserving Dates - Dates are reserved for those who contract the players first. Requesting quotes, discussing details, etc. will not reserve your date and time frame. The only way for a musician to hold a date is to actually compile a performance contract for your event. Once the contract and deposit fee have been received signed by the hiring party, the date is officially "booked".
Hiring Duration - Have in mind the hiring length needed. If you are hiring music only for the wedding ceremony, most musicians consider ceremonies a package and the price is not based on the actual length of the ceremony. Please be sure to let any musician know what type of ceremony you will be having so they can allow enough time in their schedules. Usually the players will have several other engagements lined up on the same day, demanding punctuality.
In-Person vs. Phone/Email - Requesting a direct in-person interview is unnecessary. All the questions and concerns you may have can easily be handled via telephone or email, if you are so inclined. Agencies may grant or offer interviews upon request, but the interview will be with the agent, not the actual players. Musicians may choose to offer a private consultation to select music (either at an additional cost or included in a package price) once you have hired them.
Quotes/Fees - The quoted fee should be the total up front fee devoid of hidden additional charges such as travel or cartage. Be sure to verify this with any musician you are receiving a quote from. It should be expected that any overtime playing will be charged at the agreed rate mentioned in the contract, and is not covered by the quoted fee.This is true even in the event of a delayed start to the proceedings. Hiring for the first hour will always be at the higher rate. The fee will cover playing, travel, contracting and materials (if needed). Additional hours will be at a significantly lower rate, covering only additional playing time. Therefore it is wise to hire for at least one additional hour, to provide other background music.
"You get what you pay for!" - When collecting quotes from various musicians/ensembles, you will encounter a range of prices. What may not be evident is the level of the musicians behind the quotes. Generally wedding musicians fall into three categories: Student, Amateur, and Professional.
Student - This includes undergraduate music students from various conservatories/colleges. Student musicians may offer the lowest price but there are some considerable disadvantages. You may encounter a wide and unpredictable range of abilities, even at a conservatory. Many students may lack experience performing for weddings and may struggle with the logistics of timing, cues and proper etiquette.
Amateur - Amateur musicians can be difficult to recognize. It cannot be assumed that all wedding musicians advertising are professional musicians. They may play weddings as a hobby and additional source of income to their everyday non-musical job. Just because they advertise extensively, does not mean they are professional players...you may have to dig deeper.
Professional - These players are full-time musicians leading careers in solo, orchestral and chamber music performance as well as playing weddings and other services. These musicians can provide biographies with impressive advanced degrees and have extensive concert and wedding event experience. Additionally, they can give expert advice as to what music and combination of instruments would be appropriate for what setting or mood.
Hiring Musicians Directly vs. Agency - Many individuals would fee better knowing they are hiring a musician from a company rather than through an individual. Many agencies are merely individuals that present a strong company-like presence. They are promoters of musicians, and many are not professional musicians and cannot give you the best advice. Today, they are an unnecessary third party who will charge you for their services rendered. Their fee is usually hidden in the rendered quote and differs from agency to agency. The amount of money that actually reaches the musician, is unknown or unclear to the client and is usually sub-standard and unfair. It is actually advisable to speak directly with the musicians instead of going through an agency because no one cares more about the success of the music at your event, than the musicians who are playing it and representing themselves to all who hear!
Instrument Combinations - Knowing how many musicians to hire and which combination of instruments would sound best together can be difficult. The musicians should be willing and able to discuss your needs and provide some ensemble options for you to choose from. It is not necessarily true that more players means more sound or vice-versa. Different instruments have very different characteristics in terms of volume, brilliance and tone color. The musicians will be able to recommend an appropriate ensemble for your situation.
Sound Projection - Many musicians own their own amplifying equipment for the harp. This is mostly necessary if your event will be held in a very large room with a loud crowd of people. If your event will need amplification, please advise the musician before the date of the event and as to the location of the nearest power outlets. If it is father than 5', please supply enough extension cords to reach between your power source and the location of the harp/amp.
Instrument Concerns - Issues such as having the wedding ceremony music outdoors vs. indoors. Weather conditions are of paramount importance to the musicians. The instruments they are playing on are extremely valuable and delicate. Moisture and temperature are the two most destructive factors. If you are planning an outdoor wedding, you need to provide a shaded/sheltered area for the musicians. Direct sunlight can permanently damage the varnish of wooden instruments as can moisture droplets from fog, mist and rain.
Outdoor vs. Indoor - When having an outdoor wedding, it is an absolute necessity to have an alternate indoor location ready in the case of inclement weather. Brides/Grooms must stay open to the possibility that the weather conditions at the outdoor location may not be acceptable.
Making the Choice - Music shopping is a bit different than everyday shopping. Modern day brides and grooms have noticed the world of difference a wonderfully performed piece of music can have in creating a joyfully elegant atmosphere. The only difficult part is choosing which musicians to hire. The budget is usually the major factor in ultimately determining what goes forward and what is rejected in the planning. Although, when it comes to having live wedding music and wedding musicians, looking for the lowest price will not necessarily render the best possible outcome. After the ensemble research has been done and the quotes have been collected, make your decision based on quality, not price. This once in a lifetime event will remain in the hearts and minds of the Bride and Groom throughout their lifetime. You should feel you chose the highest quality you budget could allow.
Booking - It is always advisable to book the musicians earlier rather than later, availability being the #1 reason. If you know that you intend to hire the players and they are available at the time you inquire about them, you should initiate the contracting process as soon as possible in order to reserve your specific date and time with them. Dedicated professional musicians will only reserve the date and time when the contracting process has been completed. Relying on a phone conversation for the reservation of your wedding ceremony/reception date and time are unreliable and not advisable. The agreement should be in writing with signatures of validation by both parties involved.
~ Professional musician in Miami, FL ~
Providing elegant live music for special events and wedding ceremonies.
Harp Lessons, party entertainment, classical, jazz, celtic and chamber music.
marguerite@mlwharp.com
773-791-7520
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