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 Frequently Asked Questions-Jennifer Louie Violin & MusiciansMay 30, 2009 at 8:18 PM President's Message: I am pleased to announce that we have had a successful year. Our weddings increased 50% this year and we had a client, Caley Gill whom was the cover girl for Tuscaloosa Bridal Guide for the Spring/Summer 2009 issue. We also represented Belk Department store in their Bridal Expo. We ask that you take the time to read our Frequently Asked Questions page. It will help you understand our business. My article in Brideminders.com was a huge success about hiring the best ceremony musicians. Our customer service as well as excellent musicianship, reliability and experience played a huge role in our company success both in Tuscaloosa and beyond. Our responsibility goes beyond the music in ensuring the best start of your new lives. Best Wishes, Jennifer www.twitter.com/ALweddingmusic Frequently Asked Questions-Weddings Jennifer Louie Violin & Musicians: DISCLAIMER: Jennifer Louie does not always perform for all of the weddings that she books. Based on her artistic reputation, Jennifer hand-picks all of her musicians of equal musicianship, experience and reliability for her company's wedding performances. This FAQs may be subject to change at any time without notification. General/Music Questions: Why should we hire Jennifer Louie Violin & Musicians for our wedding ceremony and our reception and parties? We believe that the bride and groom are the stars of the show and our musical performances should reflect that in every way from our sound to our clothing. We have twelve talented musicians on our roster that have excellent musicianship, reliability and experience that enjoy performing weddings from soloists to ensemble members and hold music degrees. Our musicians have performed in Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center and have had several principal positions in orchestras nationwide. We have also recorded eleven opera CDs that are sold internationally. Companies like Reed's Jewelers, Belk Department Store and getmarried.com have been our corporate partners for wedding events as well as local universities and many venues in Tuscaloosa. We are proud to be the official musicians for Tuscaloosa Bridal Guide cover girl Caley Gill for the Spring/Summer 2009 issue. Jennifer Louie, founder and President has received international acclaim for her article on hiring musicians on brideminders.com. Our brides will receive a gift compliments of getmarried.com. While supplies last. What kinds of music groups do you offer? We have a resident string quartet (two violins, viola and cello) (year-round) that can be formed into trios, duos and soloists. We have a brass quartet (two trumpets, french horn and trombone and a woodwind quartet (flute, oboe, bassoon and clarinet) (August-May on UA's academic calendar) that can be formed into smaller groups above and mixed with strings and brass. Piano, harp and guitar are also available (year-round). We do not offer vocalists at this time. What kinds of music styles do you offer? We offer standard classical (Canon in D) to Leroy Anderson, Celtic, Christmas, Gershwin, Jazz, Jewish, Pop, Cole Porter, Rags, Sacred, Spirituals, Tangos and Waltzes. Please note that some styles are available with only certain groups and that additional fees may apply if we do not own the music. Repertoire lists are available upon request. Please contact Jennifer if you want to check availability of a specific piece of music. Can I hear my musicians live at an actual wedding or party before booking? Our company views musicians as vendors for weddings or special events and therefore we do not "invite" prospective clients to hear us at events that we are not hosting and also to protect the client's privacy. I can provide two music samples via telephone upon appointment. References and testimonials are always available upon request. Music samples are coming soon. Which venues have you performed in? Venues in Tuscaloosa: The University of Alabama, Trinity United Methodist Church, The University Club, Whispering Pines (North River Yacht Club area), Jemison Mansion, Hopewell Baptist Church, Capital Park, First Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church, Baptist Student Center, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, The Church at Tuscaloosa and First Presbyterian Church. Northport: Jennings Chapel, Northport Baptist Church, Trinity Christian Center, Christian Life Church. Demopolis: First Baptist Church and Demopolis Civic Center. Can I hire musicians to play for an outdoor event? Yes. We requires a covered area like a porch, covered balconey, gazebo or a tent (no trees) so that their is no instrument damage and an alternate site in case of inclement weather. Also , we cannot play in temperatures less than 60 degrees F or above 80 degrees F. A performance rider is also required. We only accept requests for estimates that have an alternate site and a covered place for the musicians. We are having our wedding ceremony at a private residence and we were told that our event requires additional follow-up. How should we prepare for the follow-up? All private residence weddings are required to follow the procedures below in the how to book section plus we will need the following information: Name of the owner of the private residence, two phone numbers for the owner (one must be a landline), address, email and fax if available and the names and phone numbers of two vendors whom the bride and groom have written contracts for their services. In some cases, we reserve the right to require an in-person meeting prior to giving an estimate. Can we use musicians for engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, cocktail hours and receptions? Absolutely! Please contact us for more details on our special packages. Can you play with my friend or the local church musician? Yes. Piano and string quartets are the only instruments that can work with a guest soloist and must be booked prior to adding a guest soloist. Deadline is three months before the weddings and all fees must be pre-paid with no refunds. Due to time constraints, the maximum number of songs permitted is two. The guest soloist must arrive one hour before the wedding to rehearse with us and there are additional fees to cover the time. Also, we are required to have two copies of the music sent to us no later than three months before the wedding. Can you work with a sound system? Yes. If a soloist plays with a tape. One musician is permitted only to work with the sound system. A copy of music in CD format is required three months before the wedding as well as the music and the pre-paid fees with no refund . The rehearsal with the sound engineer must be there an hour before the wedding. There is a maximum of two songs permitted for this arrangement. How Much Do You Charge? We charge only by the event (estimate) after a phone consultation or if necessary an in-person consultation with the bride/groom or their parents. Events can vary in terms of time (before and during the event), personnel, mileage and notice and must be considered very carefully before an estimate can be given. Estimates are sent by email or by postal mail after your event is verified which takes three business days. Estimates for wedding events at a private residence will take a minimum of five business days and require additional information. Booking Requirements: What are the requirements to book Jennifer Louie, Violin & Musicians? Eligibility: Persons eligible for an estimate/contract: brides, grooms, parents of bride or groom and certified wedding planners (current bridal association membership card required with contract made between bride and wedding planner sent to Miss Louie before an estimate/contract can be written). If you are a friend or non-parent relative, we are required to have contact information for the bride and groom or their parents. Age: 19 years or older (Alabama state law) 18 and under must be with parental consent. Information requirements: Name, two phone numbers, home address, email, date, time, location(s), length of ceremony/reception, number of musicians requested, indoor or outdoor ceremony. (Outdoor ceremonies must have an alternate site) and your music budget. Your information will not be shared with other vendors. Information will be destroyed after 30 days if there is no contract signed. All information will be verified. A non-refundable 20% retainer of the balance due with the written contract. Final balance deadline varies upon distance of the venue to Tuscaloosa. Please allow three to five business days to process your estimate. Estimates are not given over the phone but on email and postal mail only. Your event is reviewed by our musicians for an estimate. We can also give affordable alternatives if your first choice is not available. You are given up to ten business days to request a contract following receipt of your estimate. A contract fee is charged if a contract is request after ten business days. Events are considered booked once the contract is received along with the non-refundable retainer. All events are booked on a first-come, first-serve basis. *We reserve the right to refuse to give estimates/ contracts to anyone with incomplete information or that does not comply with our booking requirements. All estimates are considered proprietary information, so please request estimates only if willing to comply with our policies. What do estimates include? Our basic estimate is: Ceremony only: minimum 15 minutes of prelude with 45 minutes of ceremony. Mileage up to 25 miles one way is covered as well travel time up to 25 miles one way. Ceremony/reception is a minimum two hours with the same mileage and travel time policies. Brides may add more time and mileage if necessary, but those are separate charges. Music that we own is covered in the estimate. We are required to charge a mimimum ceremony fee regardless of how many songs (one or the whole ceremony) are performed due to the fact that our musicians time is reserved and they must stay for the entire ceremony as they are visible to the wedding party and guests. Can I tip musicians at a wedding? Yes. The standard amount for musician tips given by the best man is between $25 and $50 per musician. Please feel free to contact us with questions about our music and our services. Thank you for considering us for your special day. Jennifer Louie, Founder and President Jennifer Louie Violin & Musicians (205)758-2107 tewkam@yahoo.com www.twitter.com/ALweddingmusic |
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