| What style of music do you play? - We play
a mix of standards, jazz, blues, and soft pop. Our selections span over 80 years
of songwriting. If playing a wedding ceremony, our instrumental selections come
from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods. What instruments do you play? - When you
hire the duo, the instrumentation is female vocals, flute, melodica, and
7-string guitar. When you hire the trio we add a percussionist/drummer.
What is a melodica? - A melodica is an
acoustic keyboard instrument that you blow through. It has a warm reedy sound
that's like a cross between a harmonica, a clarinet, and a concertina.
Why does the guitar have an extra string?
- Guitars typically have six strings (or 6 pairs of strings in the case of a
12-string). Tim enjoys the added versatility and bass range that the seventh
string provides. It makes the sound fuller. Though still relatively uncommon,
7-string and even 8-string guitars are in use.
How long have you been performing? - Both
Tim and Elise have been gigging since they were in high school. They began
performing together in 1990.
Are you full-time musicians? - Yes.
How many musicians? - Your choice of a duo
or trio.
Is it possible to have more than three
musicians? - We don't typically perform engagements with a group larger than
a trio. Bear in mind that the sound is somewhat larger than an average duo or
trio sound thanks to Tim's 7-string guitar playing style which incorporates
chording with bass. Also, you are getting the sound of a duo or trio plus
vocalist for the price of a duo or trio, which is a great value.
Can I hire the duo or trio without vocals?
- Sure! If you prefer instrumental music, Elise will skip the vocals and just
play her flutes and melodica.
How can I hear what you sound like? -
Check out our online clips, request a CD demo, or come hear us in person. Check
the Hear Us page for more information and performance dates.
What about dancing? - If you'd like to
dance, we suggest hiring the trio. We are referring to cheek-to-cheek dancing
and some swing-sway-jitterbuggy stuff. If super-high-energy, break-a-sweat,
feel-the-music-pulsing-in-your-chest, pack-the-dance-floor is more what you are
thinking, you need to look for a larger disco/rock/variety band or a deejay.
What is your fee? - We base our fee on the
number of musicians, the number of hours, and the distance to the engagement.
You can find additional booking information on our contact and booking
information page, as well as a form you can submit to receive a customized price
estimate. Or call us.
Do I need to make a deposit? - We ask a
deposit of $100 to hold your date.
Is my deposit refundable? - No. Once we
receive your deposit, we inform all subsequent inquiries that your date is
unavailable.
Is my deposit refundable? - No. Once we
receive your deposit, we inform all subsequent inquiries that your date is
unavailable.
When is the balance due? - The balance is
due either during the week before the engagement or at the engagement itself.
Many people prefer to send the balance in advance so that they can enjoy
themselves without having to worry about interruptions to take care of business
details.
Will I receive a copy of our agreement? -
Once we receive your deposit, we will send you a confirmation of our agreement
containing the details of the engagement as we understand them. Please read it
carefully to be sure it is what you had in mind. Be sure to call us if there are
any changes.
What is your overtime policy if the engagement
runs longer than expected? - Should your engagement run longer than the
contracted time and you would like us to play longer, the fee is $50 per hour or
portion thereof, per person, due immediately by cash or check. We may not be
able to continue if we have obligations to fulfill after your engagement. Total
engagement time is not to exceed 5 hours.
Will you travel to an engagement? -
Depends what you mean by travel! We are based in Orleans, just east of Ottawa. We generally book engagements
on either the Ontario or the Québec side. We add a mileage
surcharge if the engagement is more than 75 kilometres away.
What is your policy on breaks? - For
engagements longer than an hour, we take one 10-15 minute break per hour. Let us
know if you'd like us to bring a CD player for music during breaks.
Do you have any special seasonal repertoire?
- We have an extensive selection of Christmas music. Lots of love songs for
Valentines' Day, a few Irish tunes, some songs about Spring. We also know a bit
of Jewish music. Let us know if there are any Happy Birthdays to honor at your
engagement.
Do you take requests? - We do our best.
While our repertoire is extensive, there are tons of tunes that have been
written. If we know a requested tune, and it is appropriate to our
instrumentation, we will gladly play it. If we don't know a requested tune,
often we can suggest another tune in the same style or by the same
writer/performer.
Will you learn a special song for me? - If
we have enough advance notice, if we can locate the music, if the song is
appropriate to our instrumentation and style, then yes.
Can I play a CD with a special song? -
Sure. Let us know in advance so that we can come equipped with a CD player.
Can I use your microphone for some
announcements? - Please let us know in advance if you'll have announcements
or toasts so that we can have an extra microphone set up for you. A separate mic
works best so that we don't have to adjust a vocal or instrumental mic back and
forth in the sound mix.
Hey can I sit in with you guys? - No. For
insurance reasons.
What are your set-up requirements? - A
patch of ground (about 8'x10' for the duo, slightly larger for the trio), a
place to plug in, and one chair without arms.
Can you set up in multiple locations? - If
there is a piano on-site, Tim and Elise can play instrumental music separately
for a portion of the engagement, then rendezvous as a duo where Tim is set up.
Will you move your set-up part way through an
engagement? - We prefer not to. It breaks up the flow of an engagement, it
is obtrusive, and it always takes longer than you think once the room is full of
people. If you will still require this, there will be an added surcharge of $25
times the number of musicians. (The initial set-up is included as part of the
fee.)
Will you
perform outside? - In fair weather,
yes, but we require a porch, canopy, awning, tent, or other covering. We reserve
the right to refuse set-up in outdoor conditions that are unfavourable. We will
not perform in direct sun, in the rain or high probability of rain, or in
weather conditions that will damage us, our instruments, or our equipment. To
ensure the success of your outdoor event, you need to make provisions for
changeable
weather.
How will the musicians be dressed?
- Either a spiffy sort of casual, dressy, or in formalwear, depending on your
stated preferences.
What time will you arrive compared to the start
time? - We like to arrive 45-60 minutes before the start time to set up and
soundcheck.
Help! What music goes where during the wedding
ceremony? - Here's a general outline that you can personalize to your
tastes. Wedding ceremony music can be thought of in five categories. The first
music of the ceremony is 15-20 minutes of prelude music while the guests
are arriving and being seated. Next comes the processional while the
wedding party enters. The third category is interlude music. We are most
commonly asked for music for a meditation or prayer, and for the unity candle
ceremony if one is being included. Fourth is the recessional, when the
wedding party exits. Last is the postlude while the guests follow.
You'll want to think about whether you want traditional music or contemporary
songs, or a combination. Be sure to consult your clergy about any possible music
restrictions before you make your selections.
Will you recommend some songs for the bridal
dance? - The following are suggestions from our regular repertoire.
|
Couple's First Dance: |
Unforgettable, My Romance, The
Way You Look Tonight, It Had To Be You, When I Fall In Love, Our Love Is
Here To Stay, Let's Fall In Love, Two For The Road, What Are You Doing The
Rest of Your Life?, Heart and Soul, Let's Stay Together, The Look Of Love,
As Time Goes By, Fly Me to the Moon, The Nearness of You |
|
Dance with Parents: |
What A Wonderful World,
Unforgettable, My Funny Valentine, They Can't Take That Away From Me, I'll
Be Seeing You, Blue Skies, Sunrise Sunset, You Are The Sunshine of My
Life, Have I Told You Lately, The Wind Beneath My Wings, Waltz For Debby
(Father/Daughter) |
Will you introduce the wedding party?
- Yes, but we will need a list of who's who and some coaching in the
pronunciation of any unfamiliar names.
|
