10 Common Mistakes People Make When Booking String Musicians (And How to Avoid Them)
Hiring live string musicians for your event or wedding is one of the best investments you can make, but small mistakes can impact the experience.
Here are the 10 most common mistakes clients make when booking string musicians, and how to avoid them. (Of course, the most important thing you can do is ensure you read through the contract, which will avoid confusion!)
1. Choosing Price Over Experience
Cheap musicians often lack event and performance experience, and many of them even lack professional training. Professional ensembles perform regularly and to a high standard, and understand etiquette and adaptability.
2. Not Confirming Set Lengths and Breaks
Professional musicians require breaks during the performance. After all, musicians are like athletes – we have fine motor skills and our fingers need breaks every so often to avoid cramps and overuse injury. Knowing this upfront avoids confusion on the day.
3. Booking Without Hearing Examples
Make sure you check video performances and social media. We of course don’t have examples of every song or piece on the repertoire list, but you will have an idea of the standard of performance and presentation by watching String Musicians London’s videos and checking our socials.
4. Forgetting About Acoustics
Large rooms, outdoor spaces and carpeted venues can all affect sound. If you think you need to hire musicians with amplification, you need to ask about this when booking, as amplification provided by a string ensemble is provided for an extra fee, and not all ensembles offer this. It is even better if the venue has amplification which the string musicians or violinists can use. If you do not hire with amplification, the performance will be acoustic.
5. Not Asking About Overtime Rates
Events often overrun, and musicians tend to stick to the booked times – often we have other performances after! Clarify overtime costs in advance and if these are even possible.
6. Assuming All Ensembles Play the Same Music
Repertoire varies widely. Confirm your must-have songs early.
7. Leaving Music Requests Too Late
Custom requests should be made well before the event, we request a month in advance to give us time to arrange the music for strings, especially during busy seasons. We have to check if the sheet music is available, and if necessary, arrange it for the booked ensemble.
8. Ignoring Venue Restrictions
Some venues restrict amplification or placement. It is the client’s responsibility to check this.
9. Not Providing Adequate Shelter Outdoors
Sun, rain and wind can damage instruments and stop performances. Always show respect to the musicians and their instruments and ensure appropriate covering is available. If it’s cold, our fingers won’t be able to function, either – and we may need to wear coats in order to keep warm enough to play, or move indoors.
10. Forgetting the Visual Element
String ensembles are also part of your event aesthetic. Presentation and attire matters. String Musicians London is committed to offering a visually pleasing and well-presented performance.
Final Advice
Always read the contract. We cannot stress this enough, and it can save a lot of confusion. If anything is unclear, ask the ensemble for clarification before booking.
Hiring String Musicians in London – Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book string musicians?
For peak wedding season (May–September), we recommend booking at least 6–12 months in advance. However, we have never turned away a client yet, and are available to book last minute!
Can string musicians play modern pop songs like in Bridgerton?
Yes. Many modern songs are beautifully arranged for string ensembles. You can view our list here – https://stringmusicianslondon.co.uk/repertoire/
Do string musicians need amplification?
Most venues do not require amplification, but it depends on the size of the room and the rowdiness of your guests! Just remember, the louder we play, the louder guests are going to speak.
How long can string musicians perform for?
Typical bookings range from 1–4 hours, with short breaks included for longer performances. We perform 45 – 50 min sets with 10 – 15 min breaks, depending on the length of performance. An hour’s booking does not require a break. For bookings of 3 hours and longer, a meal should be provided during one of the breaks.
What happens if a musician becomes unavailable?
A professional ensemble will supply an equally qualified replacement. String Musicians London has a large amount of professional musicians in our team.
Can I request a song that’s not on the repertoire list?
Usually yes – with sufficient notice and subject to availability. String Musicians London offers requests not on the repertoire list, one of which is free.
Do musicians need anything from the venue?
Chairs, shelter for outdoor events, and a safe performance space are essential. We need to store our belongings in a secure area, too!
Contact us today to check availability and begin planning your wedding or special event!