Melodious Strings Quartet

Q: What string ensembles do you offer?
A: We offer a variety of string ensembles, including but not limited to:
-String quartets (standard violin/violin/viola/cello)
-String trios (standard violin/viola/cello)
-String duets (we offer violin/cello, violin/viola, violin/violin, and viola/cello)
-Soloists (we offer solo violinists, violists, and cellists)
We also offer custom ensembles if the client's needs and requests differ from the standard options above.

Q: Will a contract be provided?
A: Yes, a contract which contains payment details, location, times, etc. is sent to the client once the booking has been confirmed.

Q: Is a deposit required?
A: Yes, a non-refundable deposit that is taken from the overall quote (not in addition to it) is required once an ensemble has been officially booked for your event. We accept deposits via a check/checks or money orders sent by mail, or a digital deposit via PayPal.

Q: Will musicians come to rehearsals?
A: Musicians can come to rehearsals for an extra fee if schedules allow and the rehearsal location is not too far (mileage rates may apply past a 2 hour commute (2 hours combined from both ways). If preferred, one of our musicians can attend as a group representative.

Q: What will the musicians wear?
A: Unless otherwise specified/requested, our string ensembles perform in formal, wedding-appropriate attire in all concert-black. We can also do business/ business casual appropriate attire if desired. Just let us know what you need and we'll make it work for you!

Q: When will musicians arrive for an event?
A: Our musicians will arrive at least a half an hour before the start of the event to ensure proper set up prior to the start of the event.

Q: How will musicians know when to change selections during a wedding ceremony?
A: The musicians will need cues from a wedding coordinator or another appointed person to know when the various processionals of the different wedding parties are ready to begin. A program or script is also useful if available.

Q: What are the musicians’ qualifications?
A: All members of the Melodious Strings Ensemble are professional musicians who have been classically trained at respected and prestigious programs and universities across the country and are active performers with many local orchestras and ensembles.

Q: How soon should I book?
A: Sooner is better, as preferred dates fill up very quickly, and we are often booked as far as a year and a half in advance. Saturdays in April, June, August, September, and October, get filled up the most quickly first.

Q: Can the musicians perform outside?
A: Yes! However, there are sometimes weather conditions that are not instrument-friendly. We cannot perform outside if any of the following conditions are present:
Any type of precipitation
Direct sunlight when outdoors (lack of shade)
Excessive humidity
Below 55 degrees Fahrenheit
If any of the above elements are present, appropriate shelter (i.e., a tent, shade, relocating to indoors, etc.) will need to be provided.

Q: Does Melodious Strings provide amplification and/or microphones?

A: We do not currently provide amplification for our ensembles. However, we find that for ceremonies, amplification is not usually necessary, as the ensemble is positioned closely off of one corner of the ceremony location, and there is little competition for noise during the ceremony. For cocktail hour, we typically recommended hiring a larger ensemble such as a trio or or quartet to better project their sound in the louder environment of the cocktail hour.

Q: Can pieces be performed that are not on your repertoire lists?
A: Yes, absolutely! We take custom requests all the time. For repertoire requests that we do not already have available on our repertoire lists, we are currently including 3 new custom arrangements with any of our wedding packages for no additional fee. More than three new custom arrangements are charged separately, and are subject to time available to arrange them.

We do ask that if you have more than 3 new custom arrangement requests that are not already listed on our repertoire lists that you give us minimally 90 days notice so that we have adequate time to arrange and rehearse the new music. 3 or fewer arrangement requests require at least 45 days notice so that we have time to arrange and rehearse the new repertoire.

We will also learn up to 3 new repertoire requests for the events (for pieces that already have sheet music available). The client would be responsible for purchasing the sheet music. We are happy to research for you to find what sheet music is available for your requested repertoire, and to send you the links for purchasing. More than three new repertoire requests for pieces with sheet music already available are charged separately to cover rehearsal time and traveling to rehearsals in addition to the cost of the sheet music, and are subject to how much time we have available to do so.

For 1-3 new repertoire requests to learn (for sheet music already available) we need the sheet music at least 90 days prior to the event. More than three pieces need additional time for rehearsing, and are subject to how much time we have available to learn the new music.

Q: Can the ensemble accompany a soloist?

A: Yes! For an additional fee, our ensembles can accompany a soloist. For each additional soloist would be an additional, separate fee. We would also either need the instrumental parts to accompany the soloist, or to receive the vocal/piano score that the soloist uses at least 2 months prior to the event so that we can arrange the string ensemble accompaniment accordingly. This fee does not cover rehearsal on a separate date besides the event date-the ensemble would arrive early prior to the event on the day of to rehearse and run through the piece with the soloist.

Q: What type of payment does Melodious Strings accept and what is your payment policy?
A: We accept check, money order, cash, or PayPal. Payment is due either as soon as the service is fulfilled or before. If payment is mailed via check, we request that the check be mailed out minimally 2 weeks prior to the event.

Q: Cancellation Policy
A: We ask that any cancellations be made at two weeks prior to the event to avoid paying for the full balance of the service. If a cancellation is made less than two weeks before an event, the full balance is owed to the ensemble listed in the contract.

Q: Do the musicians need to be provided with anything?
A: Armless chairs for the musicians will need to be provided, and if outdoors, appropriate shade/shelter. Melodious Strings will provide the sheet music and music stands.

If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to contact us for more information.

Melodious Strings is a local string quartet founded in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Our goal is to provide you with high quality and custom-designed music plans and packages for weddings and other special events.

At Melodious Strings we believe that every event is unique and one-of-a-kind, and should be treated as such. To achieve this, we work closely with every client to create a unique and individualized music plan and a specific repertoire list for their special event.

In addition to providing a unique and personalized approach to every client's event, we are also known for our flexibility-meaning that we are more than happy to spend the time and effort with you to figure out how best to serve your needs. We love planning with our clients, and we would be honored and thrilled to help you.

Another benefit that sets us apart from other string ensemble companies is that we provide a very large list of repertoire that includes genres such as Classical, Pop, Rock, Celtic/Irish, Sacred/Religious music, soundtracks and game scores, and much more.

To put our clients' minds at ease, our musicians are professionals; meaning extremely reliable and rigorously-trained musicians who do this on a regular basis. In addition to all that, we also arrange the pieces you love (pop, rock, new age, movies, etc.) for any string ensemble of your choosing, be it quartet, trio, duet, solo, or other type of string ensemble you pick for your special event!

​Our clients really love and hire us for these great benefits. Check out our awesome testimonials on WeddingWire: (link hidden)

Contact us today to receive a quote for your special event. We will help you in a timely manner.

Custom Arranging

For repertoire requests that we do not already have available on our repertoire lists, we are currently including 3 new custom arrangements with any of our wedding packages for no additional fee. More than three new custom arrangements are charged separately, and are subject to time available to arrange them.

Weather Policy:

There are sometimes weather conditions that are not instrument-friendly. We cannot perform outside if any of the following conditions are present:

Any type of precipitation
Direct sunlight when outdoors (lack of shade)
Excessive humidity
Below 55 degrees Fahrenheit
If any of the above elements are present, appropriate shelter (i.e., a tent, shade, relocating to indoors, etc.) will need to be provided.

The musicians/ensemble reserves the right to request a relocation for performing. If no alternative location is available, the musicians/ensemble reserves the right to not perform in unfavorable weather conditions if they feel that the weather conditions carry the risk of damaging their instruments.

Cancellation Policy:

If the client cancels their event before two weeks prior to their event (more than 14 days before the event, not including the day of the event in the 14 days), then the balance of the service is not due to Melodious Strings. If client cancels 14 days or less before the event date, the full balance is owed to the ensemble before the end of the day of the originally scheduled event.

Needs: Our basic requirements are shade/shelter if precipitating and/or if of an extreme temperature, and a number of armless chairs for the ensemble. We provide the music stands and sheet music.