General Questions
Repertoire
Weddings and Receptions
Parties, Conventions, and Corporate Events
FAQ- Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ was created to give you answers to many of the most commonly asked questions we are asked. If you do not find the answer to your question, or if you want even more detailed information about a particular subject, please feel free to call our manager at (214)663-4904 or send e-mail to info@sunquartet.com
General Questions
1. What is a string quartet?
A string quartet is a musical ensemble made up of two violins, viola, and cello.
The string quartet began to come into prominence in the late 1700's,
and was popularized by the composer Franz Joseph Hayden.
Many other composers after him,
such as Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Tchaikowsky, Bartok, Shostakovitch
, and others continued to write for this form, and it remains a popular type
of ensemble to this day. In the last few decades, groups such as the
Kronos String Quartet and the Turtle Island String Quartet
have expanded the quartet repertoire to include jazz, rock, pop, and
African and other world musics as well as modernist classical works.
2. What does your string quartet specialize in?
We specialize in wedding music, but we also perform at parties, conventions,
corporate events, and schools. We play music ranging from classical to pop, ragtime, and other music according to your taste.
3. What are your qualifications?
The members of the Sun String Quartet have many years of musical experience
and training from prominent music schools. Our members have performed extensively in the string quartet ensemble throughout the North Texas region since 2001, and have performed in local symphonies as well. Please see our
Group Profile for brief biographical sketches of each
quartet member.
4. Do you play acoustic or electric instruments?
We play on acoustical instruments made of wood. These instruments require great
care, as they are very expensive. We love to perform both indoors and outdoors,
but our instruments do not like extreme temperatures (below 50 degrees and above
95 degrees), rain and other precipitation, or any other elements that could
cause damage to our instruments. We ask that you plan ahead and keep this in
mind for outdoor events,
not only for us, but also for the saftey of all the other guests of your events.
Also, since we are acoustical, we are not amplified, nor do we provide
amplification equipment.
We ask you to keep your expectations realistic on our sound projection.
String quartets are perfect for intimate occasions, but usually have no
problems functioning well in other venues. (For instance, receptions are usually
pretty loud, and quartets also have no problems carrying in these events either
). If you are expecting the sound to be as loud as a rock band,
you will be disappointed, however.
In some rare instances (such as conventions) when amplification is needed,
we ask you
to provide for the microphone/speaker setup.
5. Will you perform as a duet or trio rather than as a quartet?
We do not perform events in other combinations of instruments, such as a duet or trio. The literature for string quartet is much more extensive, and the sound quality is fuller and richer. Duets and trios sound very thin, usually because many performers are simply using quartet music that is missing its parts!
Repertoire
1. Where can I find a list of the music you play?
You can find a list on our repertoire list page.
2. One of the pieces I want to be played at my event is not on the list. Can you
get it for me and play it at the event?
All reasonable requests for special music will be honored on a case-by case
basis. We strongly recommend taking all music selections for your event from our music repertoire list. We will be happy to perform music not on our repertoire list, however, you must provide the sheet music, and it must already be written for string quartet. As of 9/1/2007, we no longer arrange music originally written for other instrumental combinations (including piano). It takes a lot of hours and effort to arrange the music, and unfortunately we are unable to continue providing this service going forward. Please speak with a manager for more details on the availability of your special request.
3. Some classical music is ok, but I want to hear [pop music, etc.] as
well. Can you accomodate me?
Absolutely. We have a wide selection of various styles of music.
4. I *hate* [piece] and absolutely don't want it played at my event. Can you play
something else instead?
Yes. We will tailor each performance to your preferences as our customer.
5. Can I pick what pieces I specifically want played at my event?
Yes. We do prefer that you make your selections from our repertoire list. See question number 2 for more details..
6. Can I choose the order [piece(s)] are played in?
Yes. We will work with you and make suggestions for an appropriate musical
selection order if you wish.
7. How can I hear audio samples of your group?
Audio samples are available on our
Music Samples page. You may also request a CD be sent to you.
Weddings and Receptions
1. What is the best location for your group in a church or alternate wedding location?
The best place for the quartet to be at each event is of course variable according to the layout of the place you are getting married in, but in general, quartets usually are on either side of the altar or on a balcony above the congregation in the church. The quartet needs to be able to see the minister and the celebrants (you and your significant other) at a minimum. The best location for the quartet in a reception is on a stage, or an area close to your guests. The quartet will need a well lit area to perform in, with four sturdy, armless chairs. We suggest you set aside an area of at least 8 feet by 8 feet for the performance.
2. Can you be there for the rehearsal?
We do not normally attend rehearsals for the following reasons:
A. It increases our costs and our client's costs.
B. We have to reserve a time slot that we may need open for
another client.
Usually there is no additional benefit to the client of our coming to the
rehearsal. Most details for the service can be handled via telephone, mail,
e-mail, or other means. If you absolutely must have us at your rehearsal,
arrangements can be made by contacting us at 214-663-4904. Managers may attend the rehearsal (the quartet does not attend). There will be an extra fee of $100 per hour charged for this service.
3. Will you be able to play [denomination's] music at my service?
Most likely, yes. Usually the quartet plays 15-30 minutes of Prelude music
the Processional, the Recessional, and any special music in the service itself such as a song for the Unity Candle (if you have one). If the quartet is to play a denomination's
service music, we will get the specifics of what type of service, what songs
you request, and any other pertinent details during our consulatation with you. You may be charged for special music arrangements we have to do for our
quartet in order to fulfill your request. We currently do have a selection of
parts for the Catholic Mass in our repertoire that would not be subject to the additional charge.
4. Can you work with [minister, organist, etc.]?
That is no problem, and we would be happy to do so. Please provide the name and contact information during your consulatation with our manager.
5. How many minutes of music do you play before the ceremony?
We provide 15-30 minutes of Prelude music before the ceremony. Most guests do
not seat themselves until only a few minutes before the ceremony, so 15 minutes is usually sufficient. The Prelude is the best time for the quartet to play
your special request music.
6. What if the bride, groom, or you are late to the ceremony?
We usually continue playing until the celebrants arrive. A large amount of
additional time may incur an additional fee, depending on the time involved.
Please also keep in mind we usually have other committments after your event.
We highly recommend that you
send us a map to all events, and the number of a reliable contact person in the event that we would not be able to reach you personally. Please contact the
manager if you have any additional questions.
7. What happens if a member of your group is sick/unable to attend my
ceremony?
In the rare event that a regular group member cannot attend your event, we have well-qualified substitutes that can perform with us.
8. What happens if [event] happens during the ceremony?
If the unexpected happens during the ceremony, we will do our best to accomodate you and your guests. Please have an alternate location ready in case of poor
weather.
9. Can we help choose the repertoire? Can you play [song]?
Yes. Suggested selections to choose from are located in our
repertoire list.
10. Can you play at [location]?
The expenses of arriving at your location are covered in part by the booking fee. Our local coverage area is Denton, Collin, Tarrant, Rockwall, and Dallas, Texas
counties.
Other areas require an additional fee according to the distance involved
and what other arrangements (such as flying and rental cars)
that we have to make. More information is also available on the pricing page.
Please contact the manager for details.
11. Why do you want a cue before the bride walks in?
We prefer a pre-arranged cue from you so that we know you are ready before we
play the processional music. It is also a good thing to give a cue if you
choose to do Mothers/Grandmothers of the Bride music, special Bridesmaid music, or any other event that depends on timing during your wedding. It is a good
idea to include your minister in the planning for this. Please make
arrangements with the manager during your initial consultation.
12. How many minutes do you play after the ceremony?
We usually play the Recessional and one or two songs as your
guests are leaving. This is about 5-10 minutes after the ceremony proper ends.
13. When do we need to pay you?
We prefer that you have a designated representative hand us a check before the
ceremony begins, or that you pay in full(by credit card, etc.)before the event. This way you will
not have to be worrying about it on your wedding day. We accept cash or checks, and Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
Checks should be made out to
"Sun Quartet Entertainment ". A contract
will need to be returned to the manager along with a deposit
before the event can be put on our performance calendar. Please contact our manager for more details.
14. How far in advance do I need to book my wedding?
As early as possible, especially if you have special music requests.
You may book the quartet up to one year in advance.
The closer it is to your wedding day, the harder it is to accomodate you. Also, if you wait too long, your date may be taken by another client.
Booking dates are done on a first-come, first-served basis.
15. Can you play the wedding only, and not the reception? Can you play
the reception only, and not the wedding?
Yes, but it is a nice for us to be able to play both events. It may also cost
you less money than hiring a different group for each event (because additional hours cost less), and you get to hear us play different music that may not be
appropriate for the ceremony itself. We play a wider mixture of musical styles
for receptions than for the wedding
ceremony, including many classical, pop, ragtime, and showtune
pieces.
16. How long can you play for our event?
It depends on the length of time you book us for, and if we have additional
engagements. The price goes down for additional hours after the initial hour.
For receptions we usually play a standard 45 minute set with a 15 minute break each hour. Additional time may be requested at the event as long as the
requested time is paid in full before the musicians continue playing, and the
musicians are able to perform without a conflict with other obligations. Please call the manager for more details.
17. Why do you recommend a Cantor for [denomination's] Services?
Audiences generally do not tend to sing during a wedding,
especially if the sound
is different than what they are used to
(string sounds instead of piano or organ sounds for instance),
so it is best to have a cantor so the congregation can
feel more comfortable and be encouraged to join in the singing if they wish. In
addition, some denominations (such as the Dallas Catholic Diocese) require
a cantor for sung services. Please consult your minister for details on
your denomination's requirements. If you do have a cantor or special singer
we should accompany, please give us their contact information so we can
set up a rehearsal with them.
Parties, Conventions, and Corporate Events
Note: Most situations are covered by the questions in the preceding section.
1. I don't see music for my event [Christmas Party, etc.] listed in your repertoire list. Will I have to pay extra for you to play it?
We play many different styles of music, and can tailor it to your event. We generally only charge for music if we have to learn a difficult piece in a short amount of time. We will be happy to perform music not on our repertoire list, however, you must provide the sheet music, and it must already be written for string quartet. As of 9/1/2007, we no longer arrange music originally written for other instrumental combinations (including piano). It takes a lot of hours and effort to arrange the music, and unfortunately we are unable to continue providing this service going forward. Christmas music is standard to our repertoire and we typically do not charge extra for it.
2. How will I ensure you will be heard at my event?
If the quartet is well-placed in the center of an event, on stage, or in an area with good acoustical quality, there is usually no problem for the quartet to be heard. In rare instances,
you may choose to amplify us so we can be heard better.
We ask you to supply and speakers, microphones,
and other amplification equipment since we do not generally use them.
3. How far in advance can I book your group/pay for your group's
services?
You may book the quartet up to one year in advance. We ask that you not send
checks for the full amount until the month before your event at the
earliest.
Contract Information
Note: Payment information is in the preceding sections.
1. Why do we need to sign a contract?
You are signing a contract:
A. So that your performance date is guaranteed to be reserved.
B. So that both parties understand what is required of each other.
C. So that we are covered legally.
2. How do I get a copy of the contract?
The contract will be send to you in the mail after your initial consultation
with our manager.
Thank you for choosing Sun Quartet Entertainment!
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