PSA - Ceremony Music

K&J64

In my hunt to hire a string trio for our ceremony I was starting to get very discouraged as the pricing all the pros wanted just seemed insane to me. I couldn't rationalize spending that much for an hour of playing, plus extra if I wanted them to arrange something for me that isn't typical classical music. I was starting to wonder if we'd have ceremony music at all.

Then someone suggested I check Craigslist which lead me to the most wonderful discovery that I thought I should share with you NJ ladies. You can hire Juilliard students to play at events. The girl I found is putting together a trio of all Juilliard students/graduates, is willing to arrange any number of songs I want - happily, and is significantly less expensive than a pro. So in case you need some live music and don't want to pay an arm and a leg check out this site, there's samples of all different arrangements groups with different students playing and it's all very good - I mean they do go to Juilliard after all.

http://www.juilliard.edu/student-life/career/hire-performers/index.php 

NJhousewife22

Good find!! Thanks for sharing.

badkittyct

How much were your quotes? My fiance is a classical guitarist and works with a violinist as well as some other musicians and he charges $350 for ceremony music.
You will also pay an additional fee for each person for the reasons below.
They will charge extra if you ask them to learn or arrange something since it takes them weeks of work to do it and they have to take time away from their regular repitoire and other gigs, etc to learn and arrange other pieces. You could also try searching for musicians through music schools (UHartt in CT has a gig line for that exact reason) and do it that way. They hire out students at a very reduced rate so that up and coming music students can get their names out there.

altimat873

I went with a harpist and she was very reasonable, she is doing music for ceremony and cocktail hour as I am getting married and having reception at same location.
Violetta Norrie

K&J64

The pro quotes I got from multiple places for a string trio (cello and two violins) were no less than $500/hr and as much as $800/hr plus fees for learning any new music.

This Julliard student isn't charging anything to learn additonal songs and is significantly less. Her name is Madison Marcucci. She'll have her own website up soon which I will share. She's a lovely young lady.

badkittyct

Your quotes were pretty good tbh. Live classical music can easily cost as much as an inexpensive DJ.

Glad you found someone you like though!

K&J64

I wasn't saying the pros were quoting me more than they should, rather that what pro's charge is more than I was willing to pay for one hour of music.

I would imagine others might feel the same way but have their hearts set on live music which is why I shared this info. I think it's a great alternative for those who want live music but don't want to spent too much on it.