Boston String Quartet
617-868-1118
Categories:
cambridge ceremony music
Address:
883 Cambridge St.
Cambridge, MA 02141
(map) Phone: 617-868-1118
Cambridge, MA 02141
(map) Phone: 617-868-1118
Reviews for Boston String Quartet
fcoughlin
GUEST
GUEST
10/01/2011
I cannot say enough great things about BSQ. They brought an elegance and unique vibe to our day that was unforgettable. Our guests were blown away by their talent. We had them arrange and play mostly rock music covers and they were on point. I will never forget the look on my groom's face when they played the song that I walked down to - an obscure Rolling Stones cover that is our favorite. They also played our cocktail hour. They were impeccable - book them!
Jonathan
GUEST
GUEST
09/24/2011
The Boston String Ensemble team provided the music for our ceremony and did a wonderful job.
We wanted to stick to classics for the "official" parts of the ceremony like the processional and recessional, but we also wanted to have some contemporary songs and these guys sounded brilliant.
They were very flexible with our music selection which we wanted to include some British stuff: Oasis, Verve, Beatles and our guests loved them and they helped set the tone for the rest of the evening.
They were great
Alexandria
GUEST
GUEST
07/11/2011
they were very accommodating. we decided not to pick traditional music for our ceremony, and they were more than happy to learn any new songs we wanted, which made us feel happy. they got there early and were very sweet! it really set the ton of our ceremony and we absolutely loved them!
Frenchy42985
GUEST
GUEST
10/16/2010
Overall the music sounded great. The guests were impressed with the sound and quality of the music. We received a lot of compliments for the ceremony music. The BSQ also arranged a contemporary pop song for the ceremony as well and it sounded excellent. The only slight mishap was that I sent an updated ceremony time to the group manager and I don't believe it was relayed to the group because they came at the originally stated time. The ceremony was slightly behind though so it ended up working out. I would still absolutely recommend the Boston String Quartet to someone interested in strings for their ceremony or cocktail hour music.
vintage_gal
GUEST
GUEST
06/19/2009
I would recommend the Boston String Quartet. My guests enjoyed the ceremony music very much. They assisted me in choosing just the right music and were very flexible in helping us decide the perfect selections of music for the ceremony and before, as the guests were waiting for our ceremony to begin. Highly professional and easy to work with.
About Boston String Quartet
Since its formation 2004, the Boston String Quartet has been a creative leader in contemporary classical music in New England. Having made their professional debut at Weil Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, the quartet performs their own arrangements of
classical chamber music, rock, jazz, world music and more, and is continually “exploring different ways of sparking musical interest” [Boston Globe]. This journey has allowed for collaboration with John Mayer, the Boston Ballet,
Fionnuala Gill, Giorgia Fumanti, Jennifer Holliday, Lisa Fisher, Tim Janis, Dave Fiucznyski, as well as opportunity to perform at such venues as the Los Angeles Music Awards, PBS, Yankee Homecoming Festival, and for former president George H.W. Bush.
Committed to music education in New England, the members of the Boston String Quartet are currently Ensemble-in-Residence at contemporary music school, School of Groove. To date, the Boston String Quartet has released four albums, including
“Xibus” [a genre-stretching tour-de-force from one of the finest young touring string quartets in the United States – PARMA], a new release from Navona Recordings. The Boston String Quartet can be heard over the radio or may be found performing
on local television stations, as well as nationally on PBS. Recordings may be purchased world-wide from Naxos.
FAQ for Boston String Quartet
What ceremony music arrangements can you provide?
Instrumental - Duo, Instrumental - Solo, Instrumental - Trio, Orchestra, String - Quartet, String - Quintet, String - Trio
What instruments does your group play?
Cello, Flute, Guitar, Harp, Piano, Trumpet, Viola, Violin
What is your usual attire?
Dress code for our musicians is men in tuxedo/women in black, unless otherwise requested.
Do you offer live sample performances or CDs?
Yes we do!
How much time do you usually need for setup?
Please allow for 10 minutes to setup
How much space do you usually require?
Traffic flow is crucial at indoor events. Calculate 4' x 4' of floor space per musician. Place the musicians at opposite ends of the room from a bar or food stations. Allow ten feet between the first seated guests and the musicians. This leaves room for serving staff to move freely around the tables.
Do you charge for travel expenses? If yes, how much do you charge?
For local events in the Boston metro, there is no travel fee. For events extending 10-25 miles outside the city: $50. For events extending 25-60 miles outside the city: $100. For events extending 60 miles + outside the city: $150
Additional Advice
For our wedding clients
Most wedding ceremonies are divided into three parts: the prelude, the service, and the postlude. The prelude is played as the guests are gathering usually lasting fifteen minutes long. It concludes with the processional for the bridal party. Processional music can be one piece or several different pieces.
Depending on the religious status of the ceremony, there can be musical interludes between readings, at the lighting of the unity candle, or during communion. This is always a great time to interject that special song that you want everyone to remember from your wedding. And don't worry, we'll just about guarantee we can find any piece that you ask for!!
The service closes with a recessional for the entire wedding party. This is followed by a brief postlude as the guests exit the wedding area.
Brides should feel free to choose traditional or contemporary musical selections.
You will receive our wedding music worksheet to help with selecting the music for your ceremony and to provide us with information pertaining to your specific wedding program. You'll be able to choose from standard pieces for each part of the ceremony, as well as list any special requests or instructions that you might have including any non-traditional music requests. As your wedding day nears, we will contact you again to confirm your selections and ceremony program, and to address any questions you might have.
At any time, we are available for consultation by phone or e-mail to answer your questions or offer musical advice. If you are working with a wedding coordinator or music director at your place of worship, we'd be happy to coordinate with them as well.
Beyond the ceremony
We are available and are often booked for the cocktail hour or the reception immediately following the ceremony. This creates a very elegant bridge of live music up until your band or DJ takes over, continuing the celebratory mood of your ceremony with upbeat classical music, jazz standards, pop songs, or your own requests! Please contact us with specific questions or to inquire about availability.
Should there be music before my ceremony?
We suggest that prelude music begin fifteen minutes before the start of the ceremony. This helps to prepare the mood of the guests as they are awaiting your arrival!
How many pieces of music do I need for the ceremony?
* For a Christian or non-denominational wedding, you might have six to seven separate pieces:
1. one for the seating of the grand mothers, one for the seating of the mothers (depending on the numbers of grand mothers and mothers, it could be only one piece)
2. one for the bridal party (minister, grooms men, brides maids, flower girls, ring bearer, etc.)
3. one for the entrance of the bride.
4. Very often there is a short meditational piece, lighting of the Unity Candle, for example.
5. one for the Recessional (exit of the bridal party)
6. one for the Postlude (music for the guests to leave by). Often, the minister will make an announcement between Recessional and Postlude. We will help you of course with all of this during consultation.
* For a Jewish wedding ceremony, there are usually two pieces: one for the entrance of the rabbi, grand parents, groom and his parents, and bridal attendants, and another for the entrance of the bride and her parents. Sometimes, the Rabbi or cantor will vocalize through their own entrance, after which the quartet will begin for the remainder of the entrances.
How should I select music?
The easiest way to put is, don't hold back! This is YOUR special day, so don't worry, go ahead and pick your favorite songs. Please do take a moment to review our recommendations, but the last thing we want to do is limit your creativity. If you have questions, or are unsure what would be the best fit, give us a call and we'll be happy to share our thoughts.
Planning a reception or Corporate Event
The Boston String Quartet performs for many corporate events, including award dinners, banquets, holiday parties, and store openings. Although each event is unique, all involve similar planning questions.
Ensemble Selection
It's not so much a question of volume, but a question about the richness of sound. If you love the sound of a string quartet, then that's your best bet. When you remove instruments, you remove layers of sound. For some, that's not an issue, but for others it is. Our suggestion is that you listen to some samples of different sized ensembles to get a better feel. We're happy to speak with you further about your concerns.
How will you know when to start the music for the ceremony?
We will arrive a half hour prior to the prelude to coordinate all music dues with your designated coordinator.
How do we time our entrances to finish with the music?
You actually don't have to worry about that. We are skilled at timing the music to end at the appropriate times. We only ask that we are informed as to how many people will be processing to each piece of music.
Repertoire Selection
Most receptions feature lighter classical music. Some blend in popular selections as the event continues.
Indoor Events
Yes, we like the fresh air too! We do ask that shade be provided for all musicians, this can be a tent, roof overhang, or even a large nearby tree
When should we make the music selections?
We ask for a list of music selections four weeks in advance. This will allow us adequate time to locate any special requests and to have them properly prepared.
The organist is included with the church fee. Can we incorporate the organ?
Having both the organ and string quartet is actually very useful. We have quite a few arrangements for string quartet and organ that create a beautiful orchestral sound. Also, after 30 min. of the sound of strings during the prelude, it can be a great “color” change to use organ and strings for the bride's entrance, for example. The recessional is another great spot to collaborate. If there are congregational hymns in your ceremony, the organ would of course be most useful. Additionally, the organist often is very helpful with cueing/coordinating the strings with the proceedings.
What if there is a special piece of music I would like to be played. Can you do that?
Yes, we would love to! If it is not in our repertoire, or even available for string quartet, we can write an arrangement for the quartet (only $20 per piece).
Will you perform with singers?
Absolutely. We will contact them prior to the event to go over details and schedule rehearsal times.
Do you need to rehearse with the vocalist(s)?
Often, depending on the material, a rehearsal is needed for the the song(s) in question. Usually 30 min. before prelude begins. (no fee typically applies to this situation).
Do we need to meet in person?
We are more than happy to schedule an in-person meeting at a designated venue or at our office. However, this is not necessary as all details can be addressed over the phone or via e-mail.
Will you attend the wedding rehearsal? I'm worried about timing the bridal party to the music.
It is really not necessary for us to attend rehearsals. First of all, we are very adept in timing the music to the right length, and secondly, it would add to the cost. (we are usually playing for another client's function during your rehearsal). Having said that, there have been occasions, where the music choices and number of performers made it important to have a rehearsal with the full quartet and everybody else before the wedding day. Only recommended if money is not really an issue.
How far in advance should we book your quartet?
We encourage you to book as early as is feasible. We perform at 80-100 special events each year. However, don't hesitate to call on short notice. We have often been able to accommodate even very late bookings because of a previous cancellation.
A $200-$250 deposit is required at the time of contract to reserve a date. (by check normally, but, if you want to take care of it immediately, we also accept check by phone). We do prefer getting the balance the day of the event.
Dates are reserved on a "first come, first served" basis.
Most wedding ceremonies are divided into three parts: the prelude, the service, and the postlude. The prelude is played as the guests are gathering usually lasting fifteen minutes long. It concludes with the processional for the bridal party. Processional music can be one piece or several different pieces.
Depending on the religious status of the ceremony, there can be musical interludes between readings, at the lighting of the unity candle, or during communion. This is always a great time to interject that special song that you want everyone to remember from your wedding. And don't worry, we'll just about guarantee we can find any piece that you ask for!!
The service closes with a recessional for the entire wedding party. This is followed by a brief postlude as the guests exit the wedding area.
Brides should feel free to choose traditional or contemporary musical selections.
You will receive our wedding music worksheet to help with selecting the music for your ceremony and to provide us with information pertaining to your specific wedding program. You'll be able to choose from standard pieces for each part of the ceremony, as well as list any special requests or instructions that you might have including any non-traditional music requests. As your wedding day nears, we will contact you again to confirm your selections and ceremony program, and to address any questions you might have.
At any time, we are available for consultation by phone or e-mail to answer your questions or offer musical advice. If you are working with a wedding coordinator or music director at your place of worship, we'd be happy to coordinate with them as well.
Beyond the ceremony
We are available and are often booked for the cocktail hour or the reception immediately following the ceremony. This creates a very elegant bridge of live music up until your band or DJ takes over, continuing the celebratory mood of your ceremony with upbeat classical music, jazz standards, pop songs, or your own requests! Please contact us with specific questions or to inquire about availability.
Should there be music before my ceremony?
We suggest that prelude music begin fifteen minutes before the start of the ceremony. This helps to prepare the mood of the guests as they are awaiting your arrival!
How many pieces of music do I need for the ceremony?
* For a Christian or non-denominational wedding, you might have six to seven separate pieces:
1. one for the seating of the grand mothers, one for the seating of the mothers (depending on the numbers of grand mothers and mothers, it could be only one piece)
2. one for the bridal party (minister, grooms men, brides maids, flower girls, ring bearer, etc.)
3. one for the entrance of the bride.
4. Very often there is a short meditational piece, lighting of the Unity Candle, for example.
5. one for the Recessional (exit of the bridal party)
6. one for the Postlude (music for the guests to leave by). Often, the minister will make an announcement between Recessional and Postlude. We will help you of course with all of this during consultation.
* For a Jewish wedding ceremony, there are usually two pieces: one for the entrance of the rabbi, grand parents, groom and his parents, and bridal attendants, and another for the entrance of the bride and her parents. Sometimes, the Rabbi or cantor will vocalize through their own entrance, after which the quartet will begin for the remainder of the entrances.
How should I select music?
The easiest way to put is, don't hold back! This is YOUR special day, so don't worry, go ahead and pick your favorite songs. Please do take a moment to review our recommendations, but the last thing we want to do is limit your creativity. If you have questions, or are unsure what would be the best fit, give us a call and we'll be happy to share our thoughts.
Planning a reception or Corporate Event
The Boston String Quartet performs for many corporate events, including award dinners, banquets, holiday parties, and store openings. Although each event is unique, all involve similar planning questions.
Ensemble Selection
It's not so much a question of volume, but a question about the richness of sound. If you love the sound of a string quartet, then that's your best bet. When you remove instruments, you remove layers of sound. For some, that's not an issue, but for others it is. Our suggestion is that you listen to some samples of different sized ensembles to get a better feel. We're happy to speak with you further about your concerns.
How will you know when to start the music for the ceremony?
We will arrive a half hour prior to the prelude to coordinate all music dues with your designated coordinator.
How do we time our entrances to finish with the music?
You actually don't have to worry about that. We are skilled at timing the music to end at the appropriate times. We only ask that we are informed as to how many people will be processing to each piece of music.
Repertoire Selection
Most receptions feature lighter classical music. Some blend in popular selections as the event continues.
Indoor Events
Yes, we like the fresh air too! We do ask that shade be provided for all musicians, this can be a tent, roof overhang, or even a large nearby tree
When should we make the music selections?
We ask for a list of music selections four weeks in advance. This will allow us adequate time to locate any special requests and to have them properly prepared.
The organist is included with the church fee. Can we incorporate the organ?
Having both the organ and string quartet is actually very useful. We have quite a few arrangements for string quartet and organ that create a beautiful orchestral sound. Also, after 30 min. of the sound of strings during the prelude, it can be a great “color” change to use organ and strings for the bride's entrance, for example. The recessional is another great spot to collaborate. If there are congregational hymns in your ceremony, the organ would of course be most useful. Additionally, the organist often is very helpful with cueing/coordinating the strings with the proceedings.
What if there is a special piece of music I would like to be played. Can you do that?
Yes, we would love to! If it is not in our repertoire, or even available for string quartet, we can write an arrangement for the quartet (only $20 per piece).
Will you perform with singers?
Absolutely. We will contact them prior to the event to go over details and schedule rehearsal times.
Do you need to rehearse with the vocalist(s)?
Often, depending on the material, a rehearsal is needed for the the song(s) in question. Usually 30 min. before prelude begins. (no fee typically applies to this situation).
Do we need to meet in person?
We are more than happy to schedule an in-person meeting at a designated venue or at our office. However, this is not necessary as all details can be addressed over the phone or via e-mail.
Will you attend the wedding rehearsal? I'm worried about timing the bridal party to the music.
It is really not necessary for us to attend rehearsals. First of all, we are very adept in timing the music to the right length, and secondly, it would add to the cost. (we are usually playing for another client's function during your rehearsal). Having said that, there have been occasions, where the music choices and number of performers made it important to have a rehearsal with the full quartet and everybody else before the wedding day. Only recommended if money is not really an issue.
How far in advance should we book your quartet?
We encourage you to book as early as is feasible. We perform at 80-100 special events each year. However, don't hesitate to call on short notice. We have often been able to accommodate even very late bookings because of a previous cancellation.
A $200-$250 deposit is required at the time of contract to reserve a date. (by check normally, but, if you want to take care of it immediately, we also accept check by phone). We do prefer getting the balance the day of the event.
Dates are reserved on a "first come, first served" basis.
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