Performance Policies
The Alton Ensemble is dedicated to providing professional and top quality musical services. In order to do so, we have a few policies set in place to facilitate the hiring process and to protect our instruments:
1. Once a gig has been officially booked, you have until 7 days before the gig to cancel. Failure to give adequate notice will result in a $50 cancellation charge.
2. We are more than happy to perform at outdoor events given that there is proper shelter. If weather is nice (no rain/snow/precipitation), all we need is a shaded area (in other words, never in direct sunlight, to protect our instruments). If there is light rain, we are still willing to play in a completely covered outdoor enclosure (big gazebo, closed-in tent, anything with a solid roof). If there is heavy rain, or any such weather that could potentially damage our instruments, we reserve the right to refuse to play outside. We also can not play our instruments in too cold of an environment (below 40 degrees). At that point, the only option would be to relocate indoors, which we are happy to do.
3. We do not require a deposit once we are booked; however, we require that payment be made upon our arrival at the venue and before we start to play. Failure to have proper payment ready will result in us not performing. We accept cash and check (check payments should be made out in one amount to "Alex McKamie").
4. If travel time exceeds more than an hour from Denton, TX, we will add an additional $30 for each extra hour of travel to defray the cost of gas.
1. Once a gig has been officially booked, you have until 7 days before the gig to cancel. Failure to give adequate notice will result in a $50 cancellation charge.
2. We are more than happy to perform at outdoor events given that there is proper shelter. If weather is nice (no rain/snow/precipitation), all we need is a shaded area (in other words, never in direct sunlight, to protect our instruments). If there is light rain, we are still willing to play in a completely covered outdoor enclosure (big gazebo, closed-in tent, anything with a solid roof). If there is heavy rain, or any such weather that could potentially damage our instruments, we reserve the right to refuse to play outside. We also can not play our instruments in too cold of an environment (below 40 degrees). At that point, the only option would be to relocate indoors, which we are happy to do.
3. We do not require a deposit once we are booked; however, we require that payment be made upon our arrival at the venue and before we start to play. Failure to have proper payment ready will result in us not performing. We accept cash and check (check payments should be made out in one amount to "Alex McKamie").
4. If travel time exceeds more than an hour from Denton, TX, we will add an additional $30 for each extra hour of travel to defray the cost of gas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I have no idea what music I should pick or what music should go where!
A: This is perhaps the most common question we are asked. To get started, we direct you to our repertoire page which lists all the pieces that we have readily available for performance. Once you have looked through our catalog, we encourage you to contact us, and we are happy to speak with you on the phone to answer any questions and explain all the options!
Q: Why do you have such a limited number of popular music arrangements?
A: Short answer: We are poor college students! Better answer: We are constantly working to expand our music library to incorporate as many different genres of string music as possible. Getting high-quality arrangements of popular music is fairly expensive, and we don't have the time or resources currently to immediately stock our shelves. However, we are more than happy to help you track down a specific piece, if you so desire. We do require, though, that you purchase the piece(s).
Q: What does "requests start at $20" mean?
A: As mentioned above, we ask that you purchase any special music that we do not have in our library. If you purchase the music and send it to us, there is no extra fee from us (in other words, if you purchase the music and send it to us, that is the only money that needs to be spent). If you would like us to search and try to find a proper string arrangement of the piece, that is where the $20 comes into play. The $20 is the fee for us taking time to research and locate the string music (whether or not we find anything). We then will also charge you for the cost of the music and shipping. So really, it is much better (and cheaper) for you to do the research. However, we are more than happy to discuss options over the phone and to assist you as to where to look. We love learning new music!!!!!!
Q: Can you guys please play some late Beethoven Quartets or a Shostakovich Quartet for our event?
A: Sorry, no...............While these kinds of pieces are unquestionably wonderful masterworks, they are beyond the scope of our business. Something like this would require hours and hours of group rehearsal time, let alone individual practice, to put together. However, if you are willing to pay us for all that time, BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Q: I have a niece/brother/cousin/friend who is a musician who could play with you guys, is that OK?
A: In general, we unfortunately must decline this offer. This is because we strive to give the best possible performances at our events, and many hours of previous rehearsal have gone into keeping our entire music library at top performance level. However, special cases may be arranged if the client is willing to pay the entire group our hourly fee to hold a rehearsal. Please feel free to inquire.
Q: Do you guys have amplification equipment?
A: Sorry, no............but we really don't need it if we are inside!
Q: What do you need us to set up for you at our event?
A: All that we need is 4 solid chairs that have no arms. We provide everything else.
Q: I have a question that is not answered here, what now?
A: Super easy answer, contact us!!!!!!!! We are happy to talk with you over the phone about any question or concern that you may have. Just fill out the contact sheet, and we will contact you as soon as we can!!!!!!
A: This is perhaps the most common question we are asked. To get started, we direct you to our repertoire page which lists all the pieces that we have readily available for performance. Once you have looked through our catalog, we encourage you to contact us, and we are happy to speak with you on the phone to answer any questions and explain all the options!
Q: Why do you have such a limited number of popular music arrangements?
A: Short answer: We are poor college students! Better answer: We are constantly working to expand our music library to incorporate as many different genres of string music as possible. Getting high-quality arrangements of popular music is fairly expensive, and we don't have the time or resources currently to immediately stock our shelves. However, we are more than happy to help you track down a specific piece, if you so desire. We do require, though, that you purchase the piece(s).
Q: What does "requests start at $20" mean?
A: As mentioned above, we ask that you purchase any special music that we do not have in our library. If you purchase the music and send it to us, there is no extra fee from us (in other words, if you purchase the music and send it to us, that is the only money that needs to be spent). If you would like us to search and try to find a proper string arrangement of the piece, that is where the $20 comes into play. The $20 is the fee for us taking time to research and locate the string music (whether or not we find anything). We then will also charge you for the cost of the music and shipping. So really, it is much better (and cheaper) for you to do the research. However, we are more than happy to discuss options over the phone and to assist you as to where to look. We love learning new music!!!!!!
Q: Can you guys please play some late Beethoven Quartets or a Shostakovich Quartet for our event?
A: Sorry, no...............While these kinds of pieces are unquestionably wonderful masterworks, they are beyond the scope of our business. Something like this would require hours and hours of group rehearsal time, let alone individual practice, to put together. However, if you are willing to pay us for all that time, BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Q: I have a niece/brother/cousin/friend who is a musician who could play with you guys, is that OK?
A: In general, we unfortunately must decline this offer. This is because we strive to give the best possible performances at our events, and many hours of previous rehearsal have gone into keeping our entire music library at top performance level. However, special cases may be arranged if the client is willing to pay the entire group our hourly fee to hold a rehearsal. Please feel free to inquire.
Q: Do you guys have amplification equipment?
A: Sorry, no............but we really don't need it if we are inside!
Q: What do you need us to set up for you at our event?
A: All that we need is 4 solid chairs that have no arms. We provide everything else.
Q: I have a question that is not answered here, what now?
A: Super easy answer, contact us!!!!!!!! We are happy to talk with you over the phone about any question or concern that you may have. Just fill out the contact sheet, and we will contact you as soon as we can!!!!!!