FAQ
Below is a list of our most frequently asked questions. If you don't see your question on here, please
contact us and we will be happy to answer it for you!
GENERAL
Wedding ceremonies, cocktails, corporate events, holiday parties, anniversaries, memorials, charity galas, gallery openings, wine tastings, dinner parties…the list is endless!
We offer a variety of string ensembles, brass and our exclusive Jazz Quartet. Please visit our
Ensembles page for more information.
Since our rates are based on location, time duration and ensemble preference, please
contact us to receive your custom price quote.
Yes! We are located in Milwaukee and are able to travel within and outside the state of Wisconsin. A travel fee applies for events located outside the Milwaukee area. If your event is in another state or you have a destination event, please
contact us for more information.
When you contact Memorable Music Ensembles, whether by phone or email, you will be working directly with its founding member and violinist,
Gina Wood. She will put your mind at ease with expert musical advice and attention to detail.
The musicians dress in formal concert attire unless otherwise requested: men in tuxedos and women in all black. The Gina Wood Jazz Quartet dresses in all black.
All requirements of our acoustic ensembles are minimal. All we need to perform at our best are armless chairs and ample space. The Gina Wood Jazz Quartet and the Violin/Piano duo also requires access to electrical outlets.
Yes. We have a few requirements however, to ensure the safety of our instruments and the ability to provide quality music. We require shade from direct sunlight, no precipitation, and temperatures above 55 degrees. If it is raining and the event is still held outdoors, musicians must be placed inside a covered and sided tent/structure.
For wedding ceremonies, we do not require breaks. For reception and event bookings of 2 hours or more, we require one 10 minute break for every 50 minutes of playing. This ensures that we perform our best and do not sustain any playing injuries.
Yes! Please check out our
music library to see if your special piece is already listed. If your request is not in our current repertoire, we can check to see if there is published music. This can then be added for a small fee. If your request is not published, we can have it professionally arranged for the ensemble. Fees for this service vary based on the complexity of the music.
Simply visit our
Contact page, fill out the form and we will get back to you with a quote and answer any questions you may have.
To book, simply select your ensemble and let us know. We will draw up a contract for you and once it is received with a 50% non-refundable deposit, the ensemble, date and time is reserved exclusively for your event.
WEDDINGS
We begin playing prelude music fifteen minutes before the start of the wedding ceremony. This will set the mood for your guests as they arrive and wait for the wedding ceremony to begin. The style of prelude music can be tailored to your taste.
With pleasure! We know the music selection process can seem a bit overwhelming, but
Gina will walk you through it, offering suggestions to help tailor the music selections to your vision. If you prefer, we can also select the music for you!
You may choose one piece for the wedding party entrance and a separate piece for the main processional OR you may choose to have the same piece played for the wedding party entrance and the main processional. If there is a special “seating of the family”, you may choose to have an additional piece at that time.
A clear signal from the wedding coordinator is all we will need. Upon arrival, we will seek out the pre-arranged person and confirm the plan.
We have become adept at ending the music at just the right time, so there is no need for you to time the entrances. The only thing we need to know is how many people are processing to each piece of music.
We suggest choosing one upbeat piece for the exit of the entire wedding party, plus one to two more festive and upbeat pieces for the exit of your guests, which is the postlude.
Yes! There is an advantage in having both the organ and an ensemble. We can play together during prelude, processional, Mass, and recessional, creating a beautiful full sound. Also, people are accustomed to singing the parts of the Mass with organ, so there may be more audience/congregation participation in singing if they are played by the organ.
Certainly. We are happy to communicate directly with them ahead of time to work out musical details. A short rehearsal will be required at the venue before the event or wedding prelude begins.There is a $25 fee per musician for the additional rehearsal time.
It is not necessary for us to attend. The members of Memorable Music Ensembles have performed for countless weddings. We are adept in timing the music to the right length. We only recommend booking us for the rehearsal if cost is no object.
In a situation like this, which is quite common, we charge for the length of the engagement, including the time to travel between the wedding site and reception site. In other words, from the start of the prelude until the end of our playing time at the reception.
It is not necessary to meet in person. All details can be addressed online or over the phone. If you would like to meet in person to discuss the music for your wedding or would like to go over the contract, you are welcome to make an appointment to come my home/office, which is located in Kenosha. Weekday/evening appointments available.