FAQS
A string quartet is made up of two violins, a viola and a cello.
The Scintillo String Quartet performs extensively at all of the major venues throughout Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and London. Queries for engagements outside of these areas are welcomed but may be subject to travel expenses.
We are an acoustic ensemble and as such do not require any power points or audio equipment. All we ask is that we have four sturdy armless chairs, and reasonable space in which to play (roughly 4m x 3m, although we are able to fit in to slightly smaller spaces).
We often play outside and are more than happy to do so, weather permitting of course. We are unable to sit in full sun on hot days due to our instruments, but are happy to sit in shaded spots of gardens, for example under some trees. It is not uncommon for our couples to put up a small gazebo to ensure we can play outside if there isn't any shade at all at their venue. We are unable to play outside if there is rain, strong wind or during cold weather.
Travelling between venues is not a problem at all, and we often play for a church ceremony and then go on to a reception venue with our couples. Any travelling would be done within the total time period that you book us for. So there isn't any disruption to the music at your event, we do ask that you take this into consideration when deciding on the duration of your booking.
Our minimum fee covers ceremony only bookings, or bookings of up to a two hour period or less. As a general rule we have no length of time set as a maximum booking.
We would expect to take a 15-20 minute break for every two hours booked. For example during a four hour booking we would take one 15-20 minute break at a convenient time so that your event is not disrupted.
We will arrive at least 30 minutes before the start time of your booking. This allows us plenty of time to set up, tune and to prepare to play.
In the event of the function overrunning due to a late start we will endeavour to play for the amount of time that you have booked us for. However, due to the nature of our work we will sometimes not be able to play beyond the agreed finish time. In the past where clients have been unsure of the exact timings for their event it has not been uncommon for them to book an additional 30-60 minutes to allow for all eventualities.
In the unlikely event that one of the quartet members is unable to play at your event due to illness or unforeseen circumstances, we would replace the absent member with another professional player of comparable ability and experience who knows us and our repertoire. This ensures that the high quality standard of the quartet is maintained at all times and will not affect your event at all.
Unless our clients request a particular dress code, we will wear either smart all black or colours, so as not to be incongruous to your event. If you have a specific dress code, we are happy to contribute to the style of your event and dress accordingly. For example, we have had clients request formal evening wear and dinner jackets, to more relaxed chinos and casual clothes, and we've even dressed in period costume for themed events!
Yes! The Scintillo String Quartet offers a music arrangement service for pieces which have not previously been published for string quartet. If we do not already hold a particular piece in our extensive repertoire and cannot source the music from elsewhere, we can probably arrange it for you. We would of course need adequate notice and there is sometimes an additional fee for this service. Please contact us for further information.
Please contact us with your enquiry and we will respond within 24 hours confirming our availability and fee. To assist us with your enquiry please provide as much information as possible, for example the date, venue and the duration of the booking. If you did want to go ahead and confirm a booking with us we contract the engagement and ask for a booking fee of £100. We then ask that the final balance is paid one month in advance of the date of your event. Payments can be made via cheque or bank transfer.
We are often asked if we can accompany a singer or soloist, and we are always delighted to provide this additional service. If you would like us to arrange this for you, we have several professional singers and instrumentalist with whom we regularly work, or if you have chosen one already we are happy to liaise with them and make the necessary musical arrangements. To add a soloist to your quartet booking, there will be additional charges and we are happy to quote for this. We are also able to provide a string trio option where there is a specific space or budget in mind, and solo string players and pianists in addition to our services as a quartet. Please contact us about these options.
We always receive positive feedback about the beautiful sound and versatility of our quartet, and how friendly and flexible our musicians are in effortlessly tailoring each performance to the event we are playing for.
Of course! Because our clients always have a warm appreciation for music, we encourage their questions and input so we can create the musical ambience they are looking for. Our clients should never feel inhibited to open up a dialogue about any aspect of the music we are providing as we are always happy to give advice - this takes the stress out of what may feel like unfamiliar territory.
We currently have bookings in our diary which are up to four years away, and key dates in the year are often enquired about very far in advance. In order to avoid disappointment and secure our services, we recommend to book as early as you are able to once you've decided you'd like us to contribute to your event. We are always happy for our clients to secure a date with us, but to leave the finer details such as exact timings, until they are further along with their plans.
Please read our Privacy Notice and T&C's. A copy our PLI certificate is available upon request and please also contact us if your venue requires a copy of this, as we are also happy to liaise directly with them.
In most circumstances this is fine, as weddings are booked quite far in advance, but it just depends upon our availability for your new date. If we are available, we will simply change the contracted date and timings.
Once we accept and contract your booking, your date is held in our diary for you. We always aim to have the final details of each booking confirmed at least one month before the event date, but as we understand things sometimes change we are happy to work with our clients and their wishes wherever possible.
We pride ourselves in delivering a bespoke music planning service, and are always happy to liaise directly with events and wedding planners for our clients. Having been based in East Anglia for over a decade, we often work closely with many of the most high profile planners in East Anglia. Our work and services are also recommended by many venues across the region and we have worked with, and known, many of the in-house coordinators for several years. We do however always like to keep in contact with our clients directly, so we have a full understanding of how they are envisaging us as part of their event, and to ensure they are happy with every aspect of the services we are providing.
Testimonials
Aldeburgh, Aylsham, Baldock, Burwell, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge (Cambridgeshire), Cromer, Diss, Ely, Eye, Fakenham, Framlingham, Great Yarmouth, Halesworth, Haverhill, Holt, Ipswich, King's Lynn, Lowestoft, Mildenhall, Newmarket, North Walsham, Norwich, Royston, Saxmundham, Sheringham, Thetford, Tiptree, Wells, Wisbech, Woodbridge, Wymondham.
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