|
Frequently Asked Questions...
- How do I
reserve a date with the Cameo Quartet, what is the deposit and do you
require
that I sign a contract?
- How far in advance should I sign a contract with
the Cameo Quartet for my special event?
- When is the final payment due?
- Can I change the time of my event once the contract
has been signed?
- Does the Cameo Quartet come to the rehearsal?
- What is the cancellation policy?
- I would
like the Cameo Quartet to play at my wedding and reception.
They are at
different
locations. How does this work
and what are the charges?
- What is the proper length of time needed for
prelude music (music played as
guests are arriving)
?
- What do I need to provide for the Cameo Quartet?
- I have a very special song I would like played at
my wedding, but I don’t see it on the Cameo Quartet’s repertoire list.
How can I find out whether or not the quartet can play my special
song ?
- Will the Cameo Quartet perform as a duo or trio ?
- What is the attire of the Cameo Quartet?
- Approximately how much space does the quartet
require?
- I have a special song(s) that I would like sung at
my wedding. Will the Cameo
Quartet accompany a vocalist, instrumental soloist or the church organ?
- Does the Cameo Quartet require electricity or
amplification?
- How much does the Cameo Quartet charge?
- How do I go about planning my musical selections?
Will the Cameo Quartet help me?
- When do the musicians take breaks?
- Will the musicians I hear on the demonstration CD
be the same as those that come to my event?
- Should I tip the Cameo Quartet?
- Where can I see/hear the Cameo Quartet perform?
- Does the Cameo Quartet work with a wedding
coordinator or events planner?
A
member of the Cameo Quartet will draft a contract that will be sent to you for
your signature and it will be signed by the Cameo Quartet member.
This document protects you and the Cameo Quartet, and all of the
important specifics about your event. The
deposit is generally one-third of the total contracted amount.
The deposit is due when you sign the contract.
This is the only way to hold your special date.
As
early as possible. This insures
that you are able to hire the Cameo Quartet for your event before other clients
book them. Saturdays tend to be the
busiest day. Six months to a year
ahead of time for hiring musicians is a good rule of thumb.
If you are a last minute planner, don’t give up.
The Cameo Quartet may be available for your special event.
The
Cameo Quartet asks that the final payment be taken care of three weeks prior to
the event.
Yes
– and No. During the busiest
seasons, The Cameo Quartet may be playing several engagements on one day.
There are situations when the time of your event, because of the
quartet’s additional engagements cannot be changed.
It is best to firm up your time before signing a contract.
On the other hand, the quartet is more than happy to work with you on
your time change if this is possible.
Generally,
no. This is an additional expense
to you that really is not necessary. Because
the Cameo Quartet is so experienced and has been in business so long, they have
played literally hundreds of weddings. A
Cameo Quartet member will discuss your musical choices with you on the phone and
will arrive at your event early to coordinate cues with your wedding planner, or
other person in charge of your event.
According to the contract you will sign with
the quartet, cancellation of the agreement will automatically forfeit the
deposit. Cancellation of the
agreement within two weeks of the written performance date will legally bind the
Purchaser to pay the musicians 50% of the gross amount agreed upon in the
contract.
The fee will be based upon the entire time the
quartet is hired for your event from the beginning of the prelude music until
the end of the reception. They will
need to be paid for the entire time in between the wedding and reception.
This is because the quartet would not be able to accept an additional
engagement while waiting to play your reception.
The general length of time for prelude music
is 15 to 30 minutes. You know your
guests the best. If they are people
that always come early or if you have a lot of out-of-town guests, it would be
best to have the Cameo Quartet play 30 minutes of prelude music.
If your guests tend to be late comers or if there is little set up time
at your venue, then arrange for a 15-minute prelude music time period.
The one absolute necessity is four armless
chairs. If the engagement is for a
longer period of time (more than 2 ½ hours), some sort of meal is greatly
appreciated. Also, tips are most
welcome and appreciated.
Be sure and talk to a member of the Cameo
Quartet. The ensemble has an
extensive library of music that is not listed on the repertoire list.
There is a chance they have your special song.
If not, they can often play from piano music.
The quartet will ask that you purchase the piano music for them, and the
quartet will rehearse your special song.
No. Because
the Cameo Quartet has been in business for such a long time, the ensemble has
compiled a vast library of quartet music. This
large musical library also includes their own unique arrangements of songs,
written for quartet. Hiring the
ensemble as a duo or trio severely limits the musical repertoire and the special
sound that only a string quartet can provide.
The quartet will always come to your most
important event well groomed and professional.
Unless you specify otherwise, the quartet will wear black blouses and
black skirts.
A good rule of thumb is to plan for an area
measuring 10 feet X 10 feet. If you
don’t have this exact amount of space, don’t despair.
The quartet has learned to be creative with their set-up.
Yes, the Cameo Quartet can accompany vocalists
or other instrumentalists. A
rehearsal with the soloist is an absolute necessity.
Generally, this rehearsal can take place at the wedding venue, prior to
the prelude music. The amount of
rehearsal time needed depends upon the number of songs, the length and
difficulty of the selections and the experience of the soloist.
Please discuss this with a member of the Cameo Quartet.
In addition, a copy of the piano music needs to be provided for the
quartet as the ensemble can play from a piano arrangement of your special song.
Electricity is needed only if lights will be
dimmed for the special mood you are creating for your event.
The quartet will bring their own stand lights and electrical cords.
They will only need a source of electricity.
Generally, no amplification is needed for a string quartet.
However, if your event is to take place in a very large room, it would be
a good idea to procure a microphone and sound amplification system for the
quartet.
The Cameo Quartet’s minimum is 1-½ hours.
Because there are variables unique to your special event (travel charges,
rehearsal with soloist, playing for the wedding and reception, etc.) the best
way to find out about the charges is to contact a Cameo Quartet member.
Yes, a member of the Cameo Quartet will
provide phone consultations, a repertoire list, a CD and helpful hints and
suggestions. Because the quartet
has been in business for over 20 years, they know what music works and what
doesn’t work. Using their
extensive repertoire list, a member of the Cameo Quartet can help you create a
unique mood and ambiance for your special day.
The contract specifies 10 minutes of break for
every hour of performance. This is
merely a rule of thumb. Sometimes,
breaks can be coordinated during cake cutting, speakers or at the end of the
event. Please do not worry that the
Cameo Quartet will leave during a special moment.
This will not happen!
The Cameo Quartet prides themselves on their
commitment to being a part of this professional musical ensemble.
The group is not a “throw-together” quartet.
Many musical groups in the business are merely a hiring and contracting
agency for individual musicians. When
you work with one of these businesses, it’s anyone’s guess which musicians
will show up for your event. When
you hire the Cameo Quartet for your special event, you will get the Cameo
Quartet. The only time a different
musician would be playing with the ensemble would be in the case of illness
regarding one of the regular members or if one is out of town.
Should either of these things happen, the Cameo Quartet works with a
number of substitute professional musicians who know their literature and are
excellent players in their own right. At
no time will you ever get an entire quartet of substitute musicians.
Tips are always greatly appreciated but not
required.
Because so many of the Cameo Quartet’s
engagements are private events, it is difficult to see the group perform in
person. The best way to find out
about the Cameo Quartet’s unique sound is to contact a quartet member and they
will be happy to send you a demonstration CD.
Absolutely.
Planning the musical selections, coordinating cues and communicating with
all involved parties greatly helps to insure that your special event comes off
just as beautifully as you envision.
The Cameo Quartet.
Copyright © 2004-2010 [The Cameo Quartet]. All rights reserved.
Revised: October 19, 2010
.
| 