AFSQ Calendar

We play strictly as a quartet for various reasons.
For example, the selection of music for a quartet is much larger than that for a duo or trio.
A quartet also offers a fuller, richer range of sound. A trio or duo can sound as though a part is missing.

We can play for any event where a string quartet is welcomed!

We have played for many wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours, receptions, commitment ceremonies, christenings, corporate events, dinners, private parties, religious concerts, etc.

We have also played for somber events such as funerals and wakes where music helped create a regal and graceful atmosphere.

Normal attire is tuxedos for the men and all black for the ladies.
When performing in higher temperatures, the men will wear a white shirt, tie and slacks while the ladies wear all black or a white blouse with dark pants.

We arrive one hour early for weddings in order to set-up, warm-up and work out details with the coordinator and/or officiant.
For other types of events, we arrive 30 minutes before our scheduled start time.

As we are occasionally booked by agents, we have agreed not to post our rates online. You can obtain a quote by completing the Quote Request Form.
The quartet manager normally replies within 24 hours.

We require a deposit with a signed contract in order to reserve your date. The contract can be sent to you electronically in either MS Word or PDF format. It outlines the date, time, location, special requests and environmental conditions.

It’s hot! It’s even hotter when playing an instrument in 90+ degree weather. High temperatures are bad for us and even worse for our instruments.
There are other quartets that will play outdoors during the summer months. The quartet manager is happy to provide references.

Below are some considerations. We can be flexible, but only within reason.

Water: Our instruments cannot be exposed to any amount of water (rain, drizzle, and spray from a fountain). Tents do not always provide adequate protection as they often leak.

Direct Sunlight: Depending on temperatures, we cannot be placed in direct sunlight as it is harmful to the varnish on the instruments and causes them go out of tune. Please let the quartet manager know if your venue does not offer adequate shade. We can bring a canopy to help resolve this issue.

Extreme Heat or Cold: We cannot perform outdoors when the temperature drops below 60 or exceeds 90. Extreme temperatures are very hard on our instruments and our performers.

If your outdoor venue is close to a building, shaded porch, gazebo, etc., the quartet can play in the shade while your event stays in the beautiful outdoors.
If there is no shade, the quartet can bring its own canopy. (No charge)
If you are planning an outdoor event, please consider an indoor option at the venue. If the weather does not cooperate, you’ll want the option of moving indoors. Based on conditions at the time, the decision to move indoors can be made by you and venue management.

Would you rough house with grandma if she were 100 years old? We rough house with our instruments every time we rehearse or perform and our instruments are on average 100 years old. But our instruments are made of delicate wood and varnish.
The worst thing you can do to a violin, viola or cello is expose it to moisture, direct sunlight, elevated heat or cold.
Even a little water, heat or cold can ruin an instrument that costs as much as a nice, new car. Wooden instruments are sturdy when used properly but can be easily damaged under the wrong conditions.

Yes, as long as conditions are appropriate. Unfortunately, even the best of tents will leak through holes, vents and seams. Tents do not offer protection against extreme temperatures. Also, tents can be very expensive. An indoor option at your venue is normally offered at no additional charge.

Yes, the venue should provide 4, armless chairs. (We may need extra chairs if you choose to have additional performers such as a trumpet or singer.) If the venue does not provide chairs, please let the quartet manager know so that we may bring our own.

It’s your event, not ours. Let us know what you prefer and we will tailor the set list accordingly.
We have a very large and broad library and normally play a mix of classical, contemporary and popular tunes.

No, we do not attend the wedding rehearsal.
Instead, the quartet manager will provide you with a CD of your ceremony music so that the wedding party can hear the pieces and/or practice walking through with them.

We arrive one hour early specifically to meet with the wedding coordinator and officiant to arrange cues for the music.
Timing questions are handled on the day of the ceremony. Timing is typically very different from rehearsal to ceremony.
We are adept at adaptation.

It seldom, if ever, does. This is normal. We adjust the length of music to fit the task. We watch and count everyone and use stopping points and repeats to shorten or lengthen the music as needed.

Yes, so long as the music you select includes a trumpet part. We have several pieces in our repertoire that allow for trumpet. The cost of hiring a trumpet player, if needed, is extra. If you have a friend that is playing for you at no charge, there is no charge from the quarter.
Please be sure to let the quartet manager know that you want a trumpet player so that the cost can be included in your quote.

Certainly! We are happy to play with vocalists or additional instrumentalist.
A few notes about accompanying others:

Please provide notice as soon as possible. We need time to prepare the music and coordinate rehearsal(s) with the soloist.
There is no charge to accompany your friends or guests. However, if you choose to have the quartet hire a vocalist or instrumentalist, the cost will be added to quartet’s fee.

If the music is not readily available for string quartet, an arrangement will need to be commissioned. Please refer to the Special Requests page for details.

If your soloist(s) is out of town, we can record our accompaniment and mail it to them ahead of time. Once the soloist is in town, we will arrange for a rehearsal prior to the event.

We cannot accompany bagpipes. Bagpipes tune to and play non-standard pitches. This makes it nearly impossible for standard orchestral instruments to play in tune with a bagpipe.

We begin playing when the first guests arrive, typically 20 minutes before the scheduled ceremony time. We can add more music if needed.
If the ceremony is significantly delayed or prolonged, (more than 90 minutes) additional fees may apply.

We understand that weddings and special events can be delayed. We are flexible so long as the amount of time is reasonable. (A delay of more than 30 minutes may be considered unreasonable without justification.)

We may book more than one event in a single day. Because of our obligation to other clients, we cannot stay longer than the time specified on your contract. If we have an event following yours, we will advise you and/or your wedding director.



	Please click on the question to see the response.

	GENERAL QUESTIONS What instruments are in a string quartet? A standard or traditional quartet has two violins, one viola, and one cello. Does your group play as a trio or duo? We play strictly as a quartet for various reasons. For example, the selection of music for a quartet is much larger than that for a duo or trio. A quartet also offers a fuller, richer range of sound. A trio or duo can sound as though a part is missing. What type of events do you play? We can play for any event where a string quartet is welcomed! We have played for many wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours, receptions, commitment ceremonies, christenings, corporate events, dinners, private parties, religious concerts, etc. We have also played for somber events such as funerals and wakes where music helped create a regal and graceful atmosphere. What do you usually wear? Normal attire is tuxedos for the men and all black for the ladies. When performing in higher temperatures, the men will wear a white shirt, tie and slacks while the ladies wear all black or a white blouse with dark pants. What time you do you arrive? We arrive one hour early for weddings in order to set-up, warm-up and work out details with the coordinator and/or officiant. For other types of events, we arrive 30 minutes before our scheduled start time. What happens if a quartet member is ill or has a conflict? The quartet manager has a list of highly qualified, professional musicians that can be hired as substitutes. Our subs have played with the quartet many times over the years. BOOKING QUESTIONS How much do you charge? As we are occasionally booked by agents, we have agreed not to post our rates online. You can obtain a quote by completing the Quote Request Form. The quartet manager normally replies within 24 hours. I am interested in booking your quartet. Do you require a deposit? We require a deposit with a signed contract in order to reserve your date. The contract can be sent to you electronically in either MS Word or PDF format. It outlines the date, time, location, special requests and environmental conditions. What is your cancellation policy? If cancelling 48 hours or more before the event, you forfeit your deposit. You are responsible for the entire balance if cancelling within 48 hours of the event. WEATHER CONDITIONS Do you play outdoors? Yes, but only between September 1 and June 15. We do not play outdoors for part of June and all of July and August. Why do you not play outdoors from June 15th to September 1st? It’s hot! It’s even hotter when playing an instrument in 90+ degree weather. High temperatures are bad for us and even worse for our instruments. There are other quartets that will play outdoors during the summer months. The quartet manager is happy to provide references. What are some outdoor hazards or adverse conditions for a string quartet? Below are some considerations. We can be flexible, but only within reason. Water: Our instruments cannot be exposed to any amount of water (rain, drizzle, and spray from a fountain). Tents do not always provide adequate protection as they often leak. Direct Sunlight: Depending on temperatures, we cannot be placed in direct sunlight as it is harmful to the varnish on the instruments and causes them go out of tune. Please let the quartet manager know if your venue does not offer adequate shade. We can bring a canopy to help resolve this issue. Extreme Heat or Cold: We cannot perform outdoors when the temperature drops below 60 or exceeds 90. Extreme temperatures are very hard on our instruments and our performers. What should I consider when planning an event outdoors? If your outdoor venue is close to a building, shaded porch, gazebo, etc., the quartet can play in the shade while your event stays in the beautiful outdoors. If there is no shade, the quartet can bring its own canopy. (No charge) If you are planning an outdoor event, please consider an indoor option at the venue. If the weather does not cooperate, you’ll want the option of moving indoors. Based on conditions at the time, the decision to move indoors can be made by you and venue management. Are your instruments really that delicate? Would you rough house with grandma if she were 100 years old? We rough house with our instruments every time we rehearse or perform and our instruments are on average 100 years old. But our instruments are made of delicate wood and varnish. The worst thing you can do to a violin, viola or cello is expose it to moisture, direct sunlight, elevated heat or cold. Even a little water, heat or cold can ruin an instrument that costs as much as a nice, new car. Wooden instruments are sturdy when used properly but can be easily damaged under the wrong conditions. Will you play under a tent? Yes, as long as conditions are appropriate. Unfortunately, even the best of tents will leak through holes, vents and seams. Tents do not offer protection against extreme temperatures. Also, tents can be very expensive. An indoor option at your venue is normally offered at no additional charge. How much space do you need? The ideal space is approximately 10 ft. x 10 ft. on level flooring, but we can adjust. We do need to see and hear each other in order to perform properly. Does the venue need to provide anything for you? Yes, the venue should provide 4, armless chairs. (We may need extra chairs if you choose to have additional performers such as a trumpet or singer.) If the venue does not provide chairs, please let the quartet manager know so that we may bring our own. MUSIC QUESTIONS What type or style of music do you play? It’s your event, not ours. Let us know what you prefer and we will tailor the set list accordingly. We have a very large and broad library and normally play a mix of classical, contemporary and popular tunes. Do you play special requests? . We can and often do play special requests. However, special requests may be subject to additional charges if they require an arrangement. Please see the Special Requests page for details. Can you include music from a particular culture or religion? Yes, we can. Our music library includes many traditional Christian, Jewish, Celtic and Irish pieces and we are always interested in expanding our repertoire. Can you play Christmas music for a holiday party? Absolutely. We have a complete collection of Christmas tunes. Enough to choke an Elf! WEDDING QUESTIONS My wedding ceremony may last longer than one hour. Do you charge extra? No. Every wedding ceremony requires about the same amount of performance time and preparation, regardless of ceremony length. What if my ceremony is really long? If it is much longer than one hour, please make arrangements with the quartet manager. What music selections do I need to make? Please refer to the Selecting Your Wedding Music page for details. Will you attend the wedding rehearsal? No, we do not attend the wedding rehearsal. Instead, the quartet manager will provide you with a CD of your ceremony music so that the wedding party can hear the pieces and/or practice walking through with them. How do you coordinate cues for the ceremony? We arrive one hour early specifically to meet with the wedding coordinator and officiant to arrange cues for the music. Timing questions are handled on the day of the ceremony. Timing is typically very different from rehearsal to ceremony. We are adept at adaptation. What happens if the length of music does not fit perfectly? It seldom, if ever, does. This is normal. We adjust the length of music to fit the task. We watch and count everyone and use stopping points and repeats to shorten or lengthen the music as needed. I'd like to have a trumpet. Is this possible? Yes, so long as the music you select includes a trumpet part. We have several pieces in our repertoire that allow for trumpet. The cost of hiring a trumpet player, if needed, is extra. If you have a friend that is playing for you at no charge, there is no charge from the quarter. Please be sure to let the quartet manager know that you want a trumpet player so that the cost can be included in your quote. Can you accompany a vocalist or instrumentalist? Certainly! We are happy to play with vocalists or additional instrumentalist. A few notes about accompanying others: Please provide notice as soon as possible. We need time to prepare the music and coordinate rehearsal(s) with the soloist. There is no charge to accompany your friends or guests. However, if you choose to have the quartet hire a vocalist or instrumentalist, the cost will be added to quartet’s fee. If the music is not readily available for string quartet, an arrangement will need to be commissioned. Please refer to the Special Requests page for details. If your soloist(s) is out of town, we can record our accompaniment and mail it to them ahead of time. Once the soloist is in town, we will arrange for a rehearsal prior to the event. We cannot accompany bagpipes. Bagpipes tune to and play non-standard pitches. This makes it nearly impossible for standard orchestral instruments to play in tune with a bagpipe. Do you charge extra for a rehearsal with the vocalist / instrumentalist? No. We only ask that the rehearsal(s) take place at our location. How long is your prelude (while guests are being seated)? We begin playing when the first guests arrive, typically 20 minutes before the scheduled ceremony time. We can add more music if needed. If the ceremony is significantly delayed or prolonged, (more than 90 minutes) additional fees may apply. What if my wedding starts late? We understand that weddings and special events can be delayed. We are flexible so long as the amount of time is reasonable. (A delay of more than 30 minutes may be considered unreasonable without justification.) What if the wedding runs late? We may book more than one event in a single day. Because of our obligation to other clients, we cannot stay longer than the time specified on your contract. If we have an event following yours, we will advise you and/or your wedding director. Do you expect to attend the reception? No. Once we have finished playing, we will be out of the way quickly and quietly.