What is a string quartet?
A string quartet is an ensemble of four instruments -- two violins, a viola (a slightly larger, deeper sounding version of a violin) and a cello. Composers such as Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms have been writing music for this combination of instruments for over 200 years. For weddings, Pachelbel's "Canon" and "The Water Music Suite" by Handel sound wonderful played by a string quartet, as does the music of Bach and Mendelssohn and Wagner. George Gershwin's and Andrew Lloyd-Webber's music has also been beautifully arranged for this ensemble.

How will a string quartet fit into a wedding celebration?
The sound of a string quartet is smooth, romantic and refined. Whether your event is an intimate gathering or is a lavish formal affair, music can be used to create an elegant atmosphere throughout your special day and will make an impression that will last long after the wedding celebration is over. Our quartet can provide all the necessary music for a wonderful wedding celebration, or can accompany trumpets, soloists, and organ if you desire.

A basic wedding service usually contains the following: The quartet provides twenty to thirty minutes of prelude music while the guests are arriving and being seated. Special music can be used to signal the beginning of the wedding ceremony as parents and family members are seated and for the candle bearers.

Processional music is played for the attendants followed by the bride's own processional selection. During the ceremony music is often played at the lighting of the unity candle, during a rose presentation, during communion, or simply as a meditation. The officiator at your service may offer suggestions for appropriate places for music.

Our quartet includes a wonderful pianist who is available to accompany a soloist or our quartet can accompany the soloist if you desire. A lively recessional ends the ceremony and sends the newlyweds out triumphantly. Following the ceremony, the mood can quickly change for the reception with light, festive music as people have their first refreshments. Later, during a meal, music is proper with every menu. Quieter musical selections are nice as people eat and converse at lunch or dinner.

Your choices are endless.

Booking SSQ:
To contact us, please email Laura Myers or call (913) 980-3579. A copy of the brochure is available for download here. The free Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view or print the brochure. More than likely it has been previously installed on your PC.

Click here to hear selections from our demo CD. If you would like a physical copy of our demo CD, please contact Laura. When you decide that the Sunflower String Quartet is exactly what you want for your event, please call Laura and she will discuss our contracting procedure. She will quickly mail out two copies of our contract. Please read and sign a copy and return it along with a deposit. Your date and time will be held for 2 weeks from the day the contract is mailed to you.

Our Rates:
Basic Wedding (as described above): $600.00
Extended service time while Bride & Groom dismiss rows or for receiving line out of church: $100.00
Reception (following ceremony): $200.00 per hour (including travel time if required).
Music Arranging: $50.00 per selection
Piano Accompaniment: $25.00
Outside the KC Metro area: $100.00

Extras (which lengthen time commitment and additional cost):
¬ Rehearsal with soloist or trumpets (require arrival approximately 1 hour prior to event)
¬ Outside our normal area (Drives over 30 minutes from Overland Park)
¬ Piano Accompaniment for soloist $25.00

Special Music Requests:
Purchased Music: retail cost of music, plus shipping if applicable
Music Arranging: $50.00 per song (Piano sheet music provided by client.)

How do I select music?...especially if I don't know much about music?
The Sunflower String Quartet's Wedding Music Planner is meant to help you in selecting music for your special day. The planner accompanies our quartet's demo CD which can be made available to you upon request. Most brides find that this is all they need to plan the music for their entire ceremony, but you may wish to include other music not on the guide. Listen to recordings of wedding music. Pay special attention to the music at the next wedding you go to. Call our quartet's business manager. She can work directly with you to select music from the quartet's repertoire that has special meaning for you and will enhance the occasion.

The SSQ repertoire is extensive and varied with music from early Baroque to contemporary love songs, and everything in between. Please note that we have a much larger repertoire than is listed in the brochure. If you don't see a selection you especially like, please ask our business manager about availability.

What does SSQ need on the day of the wedding?
The quartet needs four chairs with flat seats and no arms. If we are outdoors, the instruments need shade. A tent or backup site due to inclement weather or cool temperatures is recommended. When we arrive at the ceremony, we need to talk to the wedding coordinator or someone selected by the couple to work out the starting signal and any other details.

How do you dress when you perform?
Standard quartet attire is concert black.

How soon do we need to contract with The Sunflower String Quartet to be assured of your availability?
You should contract as soon as the date and location of your ceremony are set. We are booking through the spring, summer and fall of 2006 now!

What length of time do we need to contract you for?
We do not contract by strict time, but by event. The basic wedding as described above will cover up to 1½ hours of service (including arrival time). This is sufficient time for most wedding ceremonies. We can also arrange to provide music for the events following the ceremony: receiving line, photos, appetizers, cocktail hour, reception, dinner, etc.

We believe we want to contract with The Sunflower String Quartet and would like additional information, what do we do?
Our business manager will contact you by phone or email within 48 hours regarding our availability and fee. If you desire to book our quartet, two contracts will be mailed to you. Return a deposit with one copy of the signed contract by the specified date on the contract.

The remainder is due prior to the ceremony. Many of our clients mail the remainder, we just ask that it is mailed 2 weeks prior to the event to allow plenty of time for our receipt. If you prefer, you may contact us by phone at (913) 980-3579.

How long will the quartet play?
As described in the basic wedding above, music generally begins as people start to arrive - approximately 20-30 minutes before the ceremony. You may also want the quartet to play as people leave. Depending on how you decide to dismiss people from their seats and how many guests you have, this could take anywhere from 10-30 minutes. Our basic wedding includes 20-30 minutes of prelude music, up to a 40 minute ceremony and the recessional followed by one general exodus selection.

My favorite piece is the Overture to the Phantom of the Opera.  Can the quartet play this for my bridal procession?
We certainly will make every attempt to honor our clients' special requests. If the piece is not in our library, we can try to find a string quartet arrangement. It may be necessary for us to arrange your favorite tune for a string quartet if an arrangement does not already exist. (Please check above for our rates.)

Can the quartet attend my dress rehearsal?
We have found that attending the dress rehearsal is unnecessary. As long as things are well communicated prior to the ceremony, the wedding music should go smoothly. The quartet just needs someone, such as the wedding coordinator, to be available to discuss the ceremony when we arrive.

I have a vocalist performing at my wedding. Can the quartet accompany her?
We often accompany vocalists or other musicians on commonly performed wedding music, such as Ave Maria, or The Lord's Prayer, and enjoy doing so! However, much depends on the music selected. The piece must be something that has been arranged for quartet, or can easily be arranged for four instruments. Even if the piece is already in our library, it may be necessary for us to make a new arrangement if the singer's voice requires us to play the piece in a different "key".

Rehearsal is required at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the prelude and this usually adds an additional charge. If you are choosing multiple pieces for us to perform together, if the pieces are very difficult or are unfamiliar to us, or if we will be performing with an amateur who needs more practice time with us, we may require a longer rehearsal time. These details need to be worked out in advance and clearly stated on the contract.

What are some things that I can do to ensure the success of a string quartet at my wedding?
If possible, try to place the musicians where they can see you at all times. Choir lofts and balconies usually work very well.

If you plan to do anything unusual, let us know! Needless to say, we don't want something unexpected to happen to mar your special day.

Make sure everyone else knows their cues.

Make sure we are well informed concerning every aspect of the processional. This includes informing us of everyone who will be walking down the aisle during the procession (justice of the peace, ministers, priests, bridesmaids, flower girls, ring bearers, parents, grandparents, readers, ushers, groomsmen, groom, bride, etc.), making sure we know if and when an aisle runner will be pulled, who will be lighting candles, etc.

What other questions do you have?
Our quartet members have been playing for weddings and parties for years. Our manager is happy to provide you with information and to offer her expertise and experience as you plan and prepare for your special day.