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Richter Ensembles Welcome to our frequently asked questions page 1) Q: Will we meet with the musicians before our event? A: We offer unlimited phone and email consultations to assist you in planning the music for your event. In-person consultations are rare and would depend solely on a musician’s schedule. Occasionally, a group will have an event open to the public; in this case, we can make an arrangement to speak with you during a break. 2) Q: Will the musicians play outdoors? A: The musicians will play outdoors provided that the weather conditions are acceptable. Unsatisfactory conditions include temperatures under 58o, rain, excessive wind, and any other conditions that either impede the musicians’ ability to perform or put their instruments in danger of being damaged. The instruments must also be protected from direct sunlight by a tent or another mutually agreed upon source of shade. You should have an alternative indoor location available in the event of weather complications. A tent can be provided for you at an additional cost if the event property or client is unable to. 3) Q: What will the musicians provide and what will we need to provide at the event? A: The musicians will provide the sheet music, the music stands, and beautiful music! You will need to arrange for one armless chair per musician, adequate light (if not, we have stand lights) with sufficient space, and shade if the event is outdoors. 4) Q: What if you don’t have a certain musical piece that I want played at my event? A: If it’s possible for us to order the music in a format that will work for the ensemble that you have selected, we will do that at no extra charge to you. If it is possible to get the music, but it would need arranging in order to be played by the selected ensemble, there would be an extra fee for this. If we feel a certain piece will not work for the selected ensemble, we will let you know. Please note that we would need a minimum of 6 weeks to research and order a selection. Also, the ensemble type may determine whether the request is possible. 5) Q: What will the musicians wear? A: Our standard attire for weddings and formal events is tuxedo for men and formal but conservative black for women. For less formal events, men may wear a jacket and tie. Let us know what you would prefer. 6) Q: When will the musicians arrive for my event? A: The musicians will usually arrive between 30-45 minutes prior to start time. The setup time for a classical group is minimal. The musicians that are hired are very responsible and often arrive early to see where the location is but usually don’t enter until 30 minutes before start time. The primary contact musician will arrive earlier to discuss any last minute details (changes from previous conversations and/or correspondence). It is important for us to know if there will any problems accessing the ceremony location prior to the event. Sometimes, churches are kept locked until shortly before the ceremony, so please contact the person in charge of the facility and find out when access is permitted. This time (early arrival) is not part of your contract. 7) Q: What is the setup time for the musicians and should we take that into account when deciding on the hiring time? A: The setup time is minimal. The only possible delays are if the there is a question about where we should set up or if the chairs are not provided by the venue as requested. Things run very smoothly if you discuss ahead of time the location of the group. The musicians should be in an area with adequate space and light, out of the way of guests/wedding party/wait staff. They should be in a position to see as much of the processional route as possible in the case of a wedding ceremony; keep in mind that guests traditionally stand while the bride is processing. You do not need to worry about setup time in considering hiring length. We will arrive in time to start playing at the time you hire us for. Please note: When hiring musicians for both a ceremony and a reception at two different locations, the time spent relocating from one venue to the other, is part of the contract, and is charged accordingly. 8) Q: Do the musicians require a source of electricity? A: Depending on the time of event and the location, yes. This may be something to consider when planning the set up for the musicians (have an electrical outlet close by for the stand lights). This also is best done prior to the event day, as to avoid any last minute confusion. 9) Q: How will the musicians know when to begin the processional music? A: If you have a wedding coordinator or a designated cue person, he/she will take care of letting us know when everyone is ready. Sometimes a natural cue will occur, such as the priest and groomsmen taking their places in front of the alter. It is a good idea to assign someone the job to let us know when everyone is in the wings ready to begin the processional. 10) Q: How will the musicians know when to change pieces during the processional? A: We find out how many mothers, bridesmaids, etc., there are and just watch and change when it’s appropriate. Occasionally, a wedding coordinator will cue us for each change. 11) Q: How will the musicians know when to play for music during the ceremony and for the recessional? A: We will discuss with you ahead of time where you want music and will work out any necessary cues and details with the clergy person or Justice of the Peace when we arrive prior to the ceremony. It is common to find out what the last spoken words of a ceremony will be, since they typically serve as a verbal cue as to when the recessional should begin. 12) Q: Is it necessary for the musicians to be in contact with the clergy person/Justice of the Peace prior to the event day?
13) Q: How long should before the ceremony should the prelude music begin? A: You can hire the musicians to begin playing anywhere from 45-to-15 minutes prior to the ceremony start time, depending on your preference and when you think guest will arrive at the location. Keep in mind to, that most weddings (for many different reasons) will start later than the printed time on the programs. 14) Q: Where should the musicians be located during a ceremony or event? A: The musicians should be in a position to see as much of the processional route as possible. Please consult your church/venue for specific restrictions. For example, some churches don’t want musicians on the altar. Feel free to discuss any concerns with us. We can also assess the situation upon arrival and find the optimal location for the musicians. 15) Q: Our family member or friend is a singer and we would like you to accompany him/her during the ceremony. Is this possible? A: Yes, it is possible. It important though that we make sure we have music that works for the selected ensemble that is the same arrangement and in the same key as the one the singer is accustomed to. You would need to send us a copy of the music for us to assess whether it will work as is, or will need some arranging which may require an extra fee, or will not work at all because the style is inappropriate for the ensemble. Also-it is recommended and sometimes required that you set up a rehearsal for the singer and musicians on the day of the event or just prior to it. If we are going to accompany someone we are unfamiliar with, it is important for the musicians to hear how the singer is interpreting the piece, as well as for the singer to get used to performing with the ensemble. There would be an extra fee included for this type of rehearsal. 16) Q: Will the musicians come to the wedding rehearsal? A: No. The musicians don’t need to attend the rehearsal.
Other links of interest: http://www.dressupyourwedding.com Wedding Planning with Dress Up Your Wedding! http://www.searchsouthernmaine.com/ Search Southern Maine is a regionally focused website dedicated to bringing you information from the Southern Maine region of York and Cumberland counties. The Search Southern Maine Web site directory lists only business and community sites located in Southern Maine, making it easier for you to find local places on the internet. Here you'll also find the best resources for classified ads, yard & garage sales, news and job listings in Southern Maine. Using Google's mapping technology they've created interactive maps that show you where to go for local entertainment & recreation, including Richter Ensembles.
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