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Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DO I HIRE COLUMBUS MUSICIANS, LLC?

We make it super easy! We have a "Booking"  form on our website for your convenience. Simply fill out the questions, submit, and Tiffany will be delighted to respond and work with you from there!  A nonrefundable downpayment and signed contract is required to officially book and keep your date on our calendar. The remaining balance is payable 2 weeks before your event.

WHY SHOULD I HIRE COLUMBUS MUSICIANS, LCC?

Columbus Musicians, LLC is run by a dynamic loving husband-wife team, Ian and Tiffany Jones. Together they bring:
 
  • Years of experience working in the wedding/music industry
  • High quality performing values
  • Dedication to ensuring each event is handled easily and flawlessly
  • Utilizing the highest musicianship and professionalism
 
We love what we do and are more than dedicated to doing our part to make your event successful from the first time you contact us to the completion of your event. We have high expectations! Whether you know a lot about music, or nothing at all, we are here to ensure the musical portion of your event is everything you hope it to be.

WHAT SIZE STRING ENSEMBLE SHOULD I HIRE - DUO, TRIO OR QUARTET?

Choose the largest ensemble you can afford. A string quartet consists of two violins, a viola, and a cello, which roughly corresponds to the soprano, alto, tenor, and bass voices in a choir. This gives you a fuller sound and best choices of music. Many composers specifically write for four voice parts so dropping a part leaves a hole in the music, both in harmony and melodic line. Most rock ‘n roll tunes need the full sound to complete the rhythm and harmony as well as the melody. A string trio consists of violin, viola and cello. A string duo is a violin and cello. It has the melody and the bass but lacks the inner voices.

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DO WE NEED TO MEET IN PERSON TO DISCUSS MUSICAL CHOICES FOR THE EVENT?

No, it is not necessary to meet in person. All details can be worked out by phone and email. Whenever you have chosen all of your wedding ceremony song selections we ask that you fill out the "Wedding Worksheet" form found on our website, which can also act as a guide to the bride/groom on how many songs to choose for processionals, etc. We are always here to help and answer any questions with an email or a phone call!

DO YOU PERFORM OUTDOORS?

Yes, we play for many outdoor events. However, weather may be an issue. Our instruments are extremely delicate and sensitive to weather conditions. Therefore, for outdoor events:
 
  • Musicians will need to have cover or be in shade from the sun.
  • Musicians will need to pack up their instruments immediately if there is precipitation of any kind. (We cannot play if there are even a few droplets of rain because of damage it can cause to expensive instruments.)
  • We need a somewhat level area to set up on.
  • If the temperature is at or below 62°F or at or above 92°F the musicians will need to move to a location with ambient temperatures between 62° and 92°
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We have an E-Z Up tent for shade, and tents and heaters for too cold temperatures for an additional fee. Please let us know in advance if you would like to reserve either of these as we have limited availability.  
 
We do our best to accommodate clients but be aware that extreme heat, cold or even wind can affect the quality of our performance. Outdoor events should have an alternate option in case of inclement weather. 

DO YOU NEED AMPLIFICATION?

Our string ensembles are acoustic, therefore not requiring a sound system. We do not provide amplification for strings. Our guitarist does use amplification and it's included in the cost.

MAY I REQUEST MUSIC NOT ON YOUR REPERTOIRE LIST?

Yes! If the music you are interested in is not available in our repertoire we will do our best to obtain it if an arrangement already exists for the ensemble you’d like to hire. If we can find it, we only charge you the cost for us to purchase it and no additional fees for learning it. If you are interested in having music at your event that does not have sheet music available to purchase we work with an arranger that can arrange the song you desire for string ensembles, and only charge you the cost to us to cover the arranger’s fee. 

DO YOU ATTEND WEDDING CEREMONY REHEARSALS?

We do not attend rehearsals. We are professionals who are experienced timing the music to the right length for each processional. Therefore, you do not need to be concerned about timing and can rest assured by leaving that to us!   We also arrive early enough to the venue to discuss special issues with the coordinator.  If requested by a client, Columbus Musicians, LLC will perform for a wedding rehearsal, if available, for the amount it costs to hire us for a separate wedding ceremony. 

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY WEDDING IS RUNNING LATE?

Usually we can handle a few minutes delay, especially if we are within the contracted time. We have extra music to cover a longer prelude. We try to be flexible whenever possible, however, if we have to run beyond the contracted time an additional fee will apply.  It is common for us to perform for more than one event the same day so it's always best for your event to start on time.

CAN YOU PERFORM FOR A FULL CATHOLIC MASS WEDDING CEREMONY?

Yes. We have performed for many full Catholic Mass ceremonies.

DO I NEED TO SELECT ALL MY MUSIC FOR MY WEDDING CEREMONY?

That's up to you! A few clients will give us requests of what to play for prelude and receptions, while others leave those selections to us, which is quite common. Please do let us know what you like or don’t like: classical, romantic, jazz, Beatles, classic rock, contemporary rock, etc. Occasionally brides have no opinion of what they want us to play in the various parts of the wedding and will have us choose.
 
Generally brides/grooms select music for the following parts (processionals) of a wedding:
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  • Seating of the grandparents, parents, and attendants (officiant, groom, groomsmen, bridesmaids, flower girl, ring bearer, etc.) 
  • Bridal processional
  • Unity candle/sand ceremony and/or special music 
  • Recessional music

WHAT IF I LOVE THE FLUTE?

Sure, just let Tiffany know what ensemble you would like to have the flute on. We know lots of fabulous flautists and would be happy to make that work! The top choices for flute are: (1) Flute and harp  duo, (2) Flute, harp and cello trio, (3) Flute, violin and cello trio  (4)  Flute, viola and cello trio (5) Flute and guitar duo (6) Flute and piano duo, 

HOW EARLY BEFORE MY EVENT WILL YOU ARRIVE?

We typically arrive 30-45 minutes early for setup and for any last-minute consultation with your coordinator and/or officiant.

WILL YOU ACCOMPANY A VOCAL SOLOIST OF MY CHOOSING?

Yes, we will. We do, however, require a rehearsal with the vocalist the day of the ceremony 15-30 minutes prior to us starting the prelude music. If we do not already have the sheet music in our repertoire, we charge you the cost of the sheet music. There are no additional fees for learning the song to accompany the vocalist, so the only additional fees would be the  sheet music and extra time required for the rehearsal beforehand. 
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