FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions ~ All the information you will need when considering booking the Highly Strung String Quartet
A string quartet consists of two violins, a viola and a cello. Highly Strung can offer a string duo (violin and cello) for wedding ceremonies if the room is too small for all four players.
Highly Strung are more than happy to play outdoors on fine days during the summer months. Should the weather be too cold, too windy or wet, we would have to move inside. We ask that there is some shade for us to play under to protect our instruments from direct sunlight.
Highly Strung is based in the Midlands (Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire etc). We also perform in London regularly and the counties in between (Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire). In the past we have played for engagements as far away as France, Brussels, Guernsey and the Caribbean so we consider all enquiries further afield.
We generally find we don't need to use a PA system. For larger corporate events we can liaise with your light and sound team so that we are 'miked up'. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this topic please contact Sarah
If you have more than 100 guests then we can recommend booking our electric string quartet Highly Wired.
We can amplify the sound to make sure we are heard by all your guests. This is perfect for larger venues, large weddings and corporate events.
We ask that soft drinks are provided throughout the engagement excluding during wedding services and ceremonies. For bookings of 3 hours or more we ask for a small bite to eat.
We need an area covering about 2.5 x 2 metres. It is preferable that we are on a flat surface with adequate light. We need 4 armless chairs in a semicircle. It is also helpful if there is a place where we are able to leave our cases during our performance.
If a member of the quartet were ill, we would make sure that we found a suitable replacement. Highly Strung have a circle of professional deputies that play with us regularly. These proficient players stand in when one of us is on holiday or otherwise engaged so they are well rehearsed with the music and acquainted with our high standards.
To find out how much it would cost to book the quartet for your engagement please call or click here to email Sarah.... Each engagement is given an individual quotation which takes into consideration the length of times we are booked, the travelling time and our expenses if applicable. We always build all these factors into the cost and we do not charge VAT. For the most accurate quote please give as much information as possible, ie venue, timings and date.
Our fees start at around £480 although prices vary depending on the time of year and the day of the week. Our average booking is 3 hours and the average cost for this would be in the region of £540-£660. We can sometimes give significant discounts if your engagement falls on a day when we have an existing engagement please get in touch to get our best price. Prices quoted are from the time we start to the end of the booking and would therefore include one or two breaks. If your booking requires us not to play for a significant amount of time (ie longer than 1 hour) we can sometimes offer a discount.
Prices for Highly Wired Electric String Quartet are higher.
To get a quote from Sarah, please click here...
We will need to take some breaks during the booking time. We try to time these breaks to coincide with your plans. Sarah can let you know how many/how long the breaks would be depending on your booking time (we usually allow about 10mins per hour).
Once you have decided you would like to book please get in touch with Sarah with all the details (date, venue, timings etc) and your contact details. You will be sent a booking form and we ask for a deposit to secure your date. On receipt of the signed contract and deposit your booking will be confirmed
On the very rare occasion that a client cancels the booking, we would retain all monies paid.
About 2 months before the engagement you will receive a checklist confirming all the details of your booking. On this form you can select the styles of music you would like to hear. If you are having a wedding ceremony /service you can let me know what you would like for the key parts of the ceremony (processional, signing of the registers, hymns and recessional). If you need help choosing the music please do not hesitate to contact Sarah.
In most cases we can either get hold of it or have it arranged for a small fee. Please give us as much notice as possible about this.
Highly Strung always dress smartly and usually wear all black outfits. If you would rather we wear something different please let us know at the time of booking.
