FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions:

1.   What do I need to know before I contact you?
We’ll need the event date, start and end time, location, and choice of ensemble to check our calendar for availability.

2.   When should I reserve the Houston String Quartet?
We recommend reserving our services at least 6 months in advance. For weddings during the spring, or events on holidays, more advance time might be needed.

3.   How do I book HSQ?
If we determine that we can play your event, we write a contract, which we send to you for your signature (usually via email). As soon as we have the signed contract returned, and the deposit received, your date is reserved in our calendar.

4.   What size group should I hire?
If you are in a large space, or outdoors, a larger group is best. If your event is in a smaller area, such as a chapel, you can easily use a soloist or duo. The location, your budget and personal preferences - all will influence your decision.

5.   What instruments combine to make your most popular ensembles?
Quartet – 4 instruments: 2 violins, viola, cello
Trio – 3 instruments: 2 violins and cello or violin, viola and cello
Duo – 2 instruments: violin and cello

6.   Do you travel?
Yes, we travel to locations in the vicinity of Houston. A travel surcharge is incurred if the venue is more than 25 miles from Houston.

7.   Do you play outdoors?
Yes. We add a surcharge for outdoor performance to cover insurance costs.

8.   What determines your fee?
Our fees are based on the length of time we play and the number of musicians in the ensemble you choose. Surcharges such as travel, outdoor performance, rehearsal, music arranging, overtime and holiday performance may be included.

9.    When do I have to pay you?
We require one-half the contract total at the time of booking. This deposit is non-refundable.

10.   What are your payment options?
We accept checks exclusively.

11.  Demo CD – and how can I hear you play before I decide if I want to hire you?
We do not play auditions for clients, and we cannot invite you to our performances since our bookings are mainly private events. However, you can purchase our Demo CD through our website. If you book with us, you receive our CD free.

12.  When do you arrive?
At least 15 minutes before the start of the event.

13.  What do you wear for performances?
Men wear tuxedos, and women wear formal black outfits. We are not as dressy for casual events.

14.  Do you always use the same musicians for each event?
The String Quartet is our core ensemble. At least one of our members will lead every event we accept. If we must use other musicians, they are professionals of equal talent and experience.

15. What happens if I have to cancel?
We ask that you let us know as soon as you know the event is cancelled. We will retain the deposit, and you are not obligated to pay the remaining amount of the contract.

16. Do you provide references?
Yes, we’ll send our reference list to you, upon request.

Specifically For Weddings:

1.   Can you help me choose the music?
Yes, we are happy to talk with you about musical selections. If you are getting married in a religious venue, be sure to confer with the music director, organist or minister. Some churches do not allow secular music at weddings. Find out appropriate times for music during the ceremony from the minister/organist as well.

2.   Will you play with a special soloist that I choose?
Yes, we will. This might require rehearsal time right before the event.

3.   I want the musicians to play a special piece for me – can they learn it?
Yes, but we need at least two months to prepare any music we are not familiar with. If we don’t have the music already, we will need a piano score so that we can re-arrange it for the ensemble you hire. The cost of the music and arranging it is added to your contract total. We will not perform music given to us at the last minute.

4.   Will you attend my wedding ceremony rehearsal?
No, we do not rehearse before the day of the event.

5.   Where do you sit during weddings?
You can ask the church assistant, venue director, wedding planner or officiant about performance locations. They will be able to tell you the set-up area that works best for your event. We usually sit to the side of the wedding party, at the front of the venue, where we have a clear view of the aisle.

6.   How do I make sure the music for my wedding matches the processional timing?
We highly recommend you ask someone to help coordinate the music to your entrances and exits. This person can be either a wedding professional or an assistant from the church or venue. In our experience, weddings run smoother if there is a person like this helping. Providing our group with your program also helps.

7.   Can you play dance music for my reception?
We play waltzes, latin genre, and slow romantic classics, but a band is better suited to fast dancing.  Our ensembles are perfect for background music, as during dinners, cocktail hour and ceremonies.