We have developed a series of answers to frequently asked questions below for your convenience.
Booking
How do I hire the Dolce String Quartet?
It’s as easy as one two three! 1. Call Christiana Horn at (830) 232-4769 to make sure we are available on your event date and go over needs for the event. 2. Send us a non-refundable deposit of $25 to reserve the date on our calendar. 3. Send us the balance one week before the event.
How much does it cost to hire the Dolce String Quartet?
It’s more affordable than many people think. Please see our Fees page.
Do we need to meet in person about the event?
It is normally not necessary to meet in person. Most details can be worked out by phone and email.
Do you have a cancellation policy?
The $25 deposit is not refundable. If we are not notified of the cancellation at least one week before the event, the full balance will be due.
My wedding ceremony is only 15 minutes. Can I get a discount if I only need you for 1 hour?
Our standard rate is priced competitively for 2 hours. Because of the time we spend planning and rehearsing each event, anything less than 2 hours is not practical.
Are you available for other types of events in addition to weddings?
Yes. Examples we will consider include Corporate Events, Anniversaries, Birthdays, Engagements, Receptions, Special Event Parties, Church Services, Funerals / Memorial Services, Holiday Events, Recordings, School Graduations, Concerts, Musicals, Choir Performances, and Fundraisers.
Venues
Can you play outdoors?
Yes. However, weather may be an issue. We cannot play if there are even a few droplets of rain because of damage it can cause to expensive instruments and music. We need a somewhat level area and shade for the instruments because sunlight damages wooden instruments. 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 play outside Uvalde and Real County?
Yes, but travel fees may apply, depending on the distance. Our standard fee covers travel to locations in Real County (Leakey, Rio Frio, Camp Wood, Barksdale), Uvalde County (Uvalde, Concan, Utopia, Knippa, Sabinal) and North Zavala County (LaPryor, Batesville). If the location is in the Hondo, Crystal City, Brackettville or Rocksprings area, a travel fee of $120 will be added. Contact us for other locations.
What do you need to perform at the venue?
We need chairs with no arms and preferably a flat seat. We need a space of approximately 8 x 8 feet, but if that isn’t workable we have fit into somewhat tighter spaces. We need room to move our bows without hitting objects or people. We also need adequate lighting or access to electrical outlets to plug in extension cords and stand lights.
Is there anything else you need at the venue?
Parking close to the performance area is helpful because we have to haul equipment. A handy place to store musical instrument cases may be needed to keep them out of view of photos.
Do you need amplification?
Our instruments are acoustic, not normally requiring a sound system. We do not provide amplification.
Weddings
What is included in a 2-hour wedding booking?
We will begin playing prelude music 30 minutes before the wedding is to start. At that point we typically plan to play (a) while mothers and grandmothers are ushered in, (b) as bridesmaids come in, and (c) a processional for the bride. These can each be different pieces if desired. We can play other pieces during the ceremony, for example for the lighting of a unity candle or taking Communion. And of course we will play the recessional as the bridal party and others exit.
Do you perform at receptions and/or dinners as well as the wedding ceremonies?
Yes. We have a large selection of music in various styles to fit the bride’s vision in each of these environments. This can typically be booked as a single 3 hour or 4 hour event.
My wedding and reception are in two different locations. Do you charge for performing in two different venues?
We charge by the time. If we go directly from the ceremony to the next venue, we will charge for the length of the engagement, including the travel time between locations. The time involved would be included in the fee. If there is a separation of a few hours, we may have to charge as two events.
Do you attend wedding ceremony rehearsals?
We do not attend rehearsals. We have years of experience planning and performing quartet music at weddings. We arrive early enough at the venue to discuss timing and any other potential issues with the officiant. If the client feels there is an extreme, compelling need for a rehearsal, it will need to be discussed with Christiana Horn. She will need to work out a reasonable rehearsal fee to accommodate the situation.
How will you know when to start the processional music?
We will need a cue from someone to let us know when the wedding party is ready. Once we know that we can usually tell when to switch to music for bridesmaids and then the bride. It is helpful for us to know if the mothers are lighting candles, how many bridesmaids, whether there are children in the bridal party, and if the doors will close and reopen for the bride’s entrance or if a runner is rolled out for the bride’s entrance. Remember to allow us time to change music between each group (family, bridesmaids, and bride). At the wedding site, we will confirm with the officiant the cue for the recessional (typically an introduction of the married couple).
How early before the event do you arrive?
We typically arrive 15-30 minutes early for setup and for any last-minute consultation with your officiant and/or coordinator. For a wedding, this means 45-60 minutes before the wedding itself so we can begin the prelude music 30 before the start time.
What happens if the 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. If we have to run beyond the contracted time, an additional fee may apply. This happens rarely, though.
Can you perform for a ceremony with a full Catholic Mass?
We have some Catholic wedding music available. We would be happy to consult with you to determine if we can meet your needs.
Do you play Jewish weddings?
At this time we do not have an Jewish wedding music available. We would be happy to consult with you to determine if we can meet your needs.
Music
Can you accompany a singer for a song during the ceremony?
Yes, assuming you make arrangements for the singer and we have the music for the piece. Some of our pieces such as Ave Maria or The Lord’s Prayer have lyrics. We will need to coordinate details about keys and versions of sheet music in certain cases, and we will rehearse immediately prior to the ceremony, so that time must be considered in our pricing.
We’d like to have a trumpet play on the processional and/or recessional. Is this possible?
Yes, as long as the selected piece works with trumpet and you make the arrangements for the trumpet player. We will need to coordinate details about keys and versions of sheet music in certain cases, and we will rehearse immediately prior to the ceremony, so that time must be considered in our pricing.
Do I need to select all of the music?
It depends on circumstances. Generally brides select music for the following parts of a wedding: 1. Family seating (including mothers’ entrance and candle lighting, if applicable) 2. Processional of attendants (bridesmaids, flower girl, and ring bearer, etc.) 3. Bridal processional 4. Unity candle ceremony and special music 5. Recessional music. 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: baroque, classical, romantic, classic rock, contemporary, traditional, 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 – typically the standard wedding selections.
May I request music not listed in your Repertoire?
Yes. We will do our best to accommodate your requests. The final answer will depend upon the availability of sheet music and the time we have to adequately rehearse the pieces. We will make a determination on requests as quickly as possible after our initial consultation with you.
We want contemporary popular music for our wedding. Can you do that?
It depends upon what contemporary pieces you want and if quartet arrangements are available. Give us a call.
Do you play Christmas music for holiday parties?
Yes. We have several hours of holiday music we can play for parties. This includes non-religious holiday music.
What kind of music do you play for receptions, parties, or corporate events?
With the client’s musical preferences in mind, we can play a mix of styles from our Repertoire.
Miscellaneous
Do you take breaks?
Not for a wedding, but at other events if we are playing for 2 or 3 hours, typically about ten minutes every hour. Performing is a very physical activity that needs breaks. We can work our breaks around your schedule when possible.
How will you be dressed?
We will wear clothing appropriate for the occasion, which is typically all black or black and white.
Is it standard to tip musicians?
While we tip service providers in everyday life, the decision to tip is yours. The final decision may be whether services exceeded your expectations or if we went out of our way to accommodate special requirements. Tips are always welcomed by musicians!
Are you all professional musicians?
Christiana Horn is a retired professional musician. Nathan, Vince and Gary are professional at other things, but all are lifelong musicians.
Who or what is “Dolce”?
“Dolce” is an Italian musical term meaning “sweet” or “sweetly”, indicating to play in a tender, adoring manner; to play sweetly with a light touch; to play delicately.