The string quartet. Typically made up of two violins, a viola, and a cello, it is an ensemble that has stood the test of time. Through every era of music, from the classical heyday of Mozart and Haydn, all the way up to the modern day. And it’s easy to see why - the harmonious, beautiful sound of a good string quartet is difficult to beat, whether they’re playing Beethoven or The Bee-Gees.

In this post, I’ll be breaking down what goes into the cost of booking a string quartet, common pitfalls to avoid, and how to make the best choice for your budget and event, as well as some typical prices.

What affects the price?

Duration of Performance

To absolutely noone’s surprise, if you book a group for longer, they cost more money. However, you may not realise that prices aren’t typically quoted on an hourly basis. There’s actually quite a large initial fee for a shorter booking, which makes the quartet seem quite expensive for just an hour booking. However, the longer you book them, the quartet becomes better and better value.

The reason this happens is because a lot of the work involved in a string quartet happens before a note is even played, whether it’s practice at home, arranging some music for you, coordinating with the event organiser, or travelling to the venue.

Location and Travel

Many quartets charge extra for travel. This is because groups often have a base location where they and their best musicians live. If you really like the group, the travel may be worth it, but you may want to consider groups closer to you.

Also, everything is more expensive in London, so expect increased rates to what you may expect in the North of England, for example.

Reputation and Experience

Established groups with a good reputation will often charge more, as they will often have better promotional material and a better website. They may even provide a better fee to players! Booking established groups typically correlates to a better overall experience and performance.

But there’s still a risk in booking a group with a big reputation. During peak wedding season, some well-known quartets might manage multiple bookings simultaneously by fielding several ensembles under the same brand. While this isn’t inherently a bad thing, it’s essential to ensure that the specific musicians you’re expecting are the ones who will actually perform at your event. And you should also have complete trust in the organisation of the group, so any small details you might give them don’t fall through the cracks.

Repertoire Requests

If you’d like a specific, perhaps lesser-known, song as you walk down the aisle, some groups may give you an additional charge for the hassle of arranging the music. This can be anywhere from £10 to over £60 per song. If you have a very niche taste in music, it might be important to find a group that offers free or low-cost arrangements to accommodate your preferences without adding significant extra costs.

What do you get for your money?

A Quality Performance

The most important thing! Every quartet wants you to go home with a smile on your face, thinking about how fantastic the quartet were. Any quartet comprised of professional musicians, like ours, is totally capable of providing the perfect soundtrack to your wedding or event. But you shouldn’t take their word for it - find videos, and find a group that you love listening to.

Professionalism and Reliability

There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes into any quartet performance. Any quartet worth their while should be completely clear on coordinating timings with you, payment dates, attire, song requests, and generally make you confident that you’ve booked the right people. They should also assure you that they will arrive in plenty of time.

Top-class Musicians and Equipment

String instruments are worth a lot of money to own and also to maintain. A portion of your fee (a large portion, in our case) will go towards the musicians, which in turn goes towards insuring and maintaining their instruments. This leads to us being able to continue giving stunning performances for many years!

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Middlemen

Be very mindful when booking through intermediary websites. While these platforms offer convenience, they often take a substantial commission—sometimes over 20%—on top of what the quartet would charge directly. They can also complicate communication by adding an extra layer between you and the musicians.

Be clear on what the extra money is going towards - if they’re not offering anything extra, consider booking the group directly by searching their name on Google and messaging through their own website or social media. If you book through a middleman, make sure you’re communicating directly with the quartet to avoid miscommunications.

Choosing Based Solely on Price

It’s 2024, everyone wants to save a bit of money. However, it’s important to remember that you often get what you pay for. Lower-cost options might involve less experienced musicians, potentially compromising performance quality and reliability. Having said that, an astronomical fee might not give you an exceptional performance.

Overlooking Contracts

Firstly, if you haven’t been offered a contract, consider it a significant red flag, as the musicians have no legal requirement to play at your wedding. Once you have a contract, make sure it details every aspect of the performance, including timings, arrival time, repertoire, playing outside (if applicable), contingency plans, and fees. This prevents misunderstandings and ensures everyone’s on the same page.

Not Reading Reviews or Listening to Recordings

Look for samples of the quartet’s previous performances, read reviews, and if possible, attend a live performance. This helps ensure that the group you choose aligns with your expectations and provides the quality you’re seeking.

So, what’s a typical fee?

Egerton Strings

Our string quartet pricing reflects the quality and professionalism that we offer. We only use professional players, and take a small cut from each booking for things like running the website, buying new arrangements, and promotion, whilst also paying our players fairly for their time. This results in events where the musicians are motivated to deliver outstanding performances, ensuring client satisfaction.

Budget Groups

The absolute minimum for 1 hour of string quartet (which is the minimum time most groups will take bookings for) is around £360. This is around £90 per player, and may include music students or even amateur players.

This may be a more appealing, cost-effective option, but it’s important to set realistic expectations about how efficient the admin side of the quartet will be, and the standard of performance you might get. You may notice less polished performances and potential oversights in planning, so thorough research and clear communication are essential.

Premium Groups

For those with cash to spare, a premium string quartet may charge in excess of £800 as a starting price. You should expect an absolutely flawless service, with detailed planning, excellent customer service and seamless execution on the day. However, in the age of AI where it’s becoming increasingly easy to put a nice website together with polished audio and video, you should thoroughly vet any quartet you’re considering to verify they’re definitely worth the money.

Conclusion

Booking a string quartet can be one of the most rewarding investments for your event, offering an elegant and timeless musical experience. However, it’s important to understand the various factors that influence pricing, from the duration of the performance and the location of the event to the reputation and experience of the musicians. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly option or seeking the best in the business, doing your homework will ensure you find the right quartet to meet your needs.

Remember to carefully vet any group you consider—listen to samples, read reviews, and communicate clearly to avoid any pitfalls. By taking the time to understand what goes into the cost and what you can expect, you’ll be well-equipped to make an informed decision that will leave you and your guests with lasting memories of a truly beautiful performance.