Why hire Carolina Royal Strings?
What ensembles do you offer?
Which ensemble is better for my occasion?
How do I book Carolina Royal Strings?
How far do you travel?
Do you perform outdoors?
What is the location and equipment required by musicians during the performance?
What experience do the musicians have?
What is the musician’s dress attire will be?
When will musicians arrive for my event?
Will I meet the musicians before my event?
What if one of the musicians is unable to attend the ceremony for some unforeseen reason?
How will the musicians know when to begin the processional music?
How will the musicians know when to change pieces during the ceremony?
Do you accompany guest singers or other musicians?
How and when do I decide on the music for my wedding?
Can you play a piece not on your repertoire list?
Why hire Carolina Royal Strings?
Professional Quality, Experience – Carolina Royal Strings is comprised of a team of highly skilled, classically trained professional musicians with a wealth of performance experience. Combined we have over 70 years of performing experience, over 300 weddings and other events performed as well as solo and chamber music recitals. We perform on the stages of large concert halls as symphony orchestra musicians including Charlotte Symphony, Charleston Symphony, and Colombia symphony. Our personal biographies can be provided upon request.
Repertoire – Carolina Royal Strings has one of the largest sets of music from which to choose in the area. We have a wide variety of light classical selections, pop tunes, rock, contemporary, romantic, holiday, music from TV shows, musicals and movies. We are always adding new songs to our repertoire. If there is a piece of music that you wish to hear and it is not on our list, please ask, and we will make sure that we have it for your event.
Organization – You will work exclusively with Oksana McCarthy to organize your event. In addition to our high level of
musicianship, we emphasize exceptional communication, planning and preparation from the moment you book us through
every moment of your event.
Ensemble variety- We provide ensembles as small as a solo instrument and as large as a chamber orchestra. Our instruments include
violin, viola, cello, piano, flute, harp, and trumpet.
What ensembles do you offer?
We offer four different combinations of string instruments:
String Quartet –Two Violins, Viola & Cello
String Trio –Two Violins & Cello or Violin, Viola & Cello
String Duo –Violin & Cello or Two Violins
Solo –Violin or Cello
Additional Instruments – Flute, Harp, Trumpet, Piano and larger ensembles can be provided upon request
Which ensemble is better for my occasion?
Your choice depends on the size of your function, and your personal taste. We recommend the smaller ensembles; solo instrument or duo for
intimate affairs ranging from 30-40 people, and the larger ensembles for bigger spaces. The string quartet is known for its reach sound. It creates the affect of a small orchestra that so many people love. It provides the most versatility in terms of repertoire. This is our most requested ensemble. String trio has a lighter more transparent sound.
How do I book Carolina Royal Strings?
Email or call Carolina Royal Strings as soon as you know the date and time of your event. Contact us to discuss the type of ensemble that suits your event the best. We will then email you the contract that you will sign and mail back to us with 50% deposit.
When you contact us about the booking please provide the date, time and location of your event
Please note that booking will only be made once the signed contract and deposit is received within 10 days of the date of the contract.
Call 561-909-9607 or email Oksana McCarthy at info@carolinaroyalstrings.com.
How far do you travel?
We are based in Charlotte, North Carolina and we cover the entire Charlotte area as well as surrounding areas within a 25 mile radius. We are available to travel to most events outside of our playing area but will require a mileage fee per musician.
Do you perform outdoors?
Absolutely! There are many beautiful outdoor venues in the area and we enjoy playing at them. However, there are few outdoor policies that
apply to such events. Music instruments are very delicate and are easily damaged by severe weather, direct sun, rain and temperature. Our main
concern is the safety of the instruments and the ability to provide quality music. The temperature outside cannot be below 60 degrees. We require full shade from direct sunlight. Under no circumstances will musicians perform in the rain. Please have a backup facility or a tent where musicians will not be hit by a blowing rain.
What is the location and equipment required by musicians during the performance?
We require a small area approximately 8 by 8 feet, away from guests, wedding party or wait staff, armless chairs for each musician and adequate light. We should be able to see as much of the processional route as possible during the ceremony.
What experience do the musicians have?
Carolina Royal Strings is comprised of a team of highly skilled, classically trained professional musicians with a wealth of performance experience. Combined we have over 70 years of performing experience, over 300 weddings and other events performed as well as solo and chamber music recitals. We perform on the stages of large concert halls as symphony orchestra musicians including Charlotte Symphony, Charleston Symphony, and Colombia symphony. Our personal biographies can be provided upon request.
What is the musician’s dress attire will be?
The dress is formal unless otherwise requested: men in tuxedos and women in long black. For events that take place in the morning or early
afternoon the men will wear dark suit and a tie. In extremely hot temperatures during outside weddings, men will wear white, buttoned short sleeve shirt with black pants and a tie. Women will be dressed in calf length black.
When will musicians arrive for my event?
Musicians will arrive 30 minutes before contracted start time. The set up takes no more than 5 minutes if the required space, location and chairs are provided. This is the time during these 30 minutes when musicians discuss last minute details and cues with the event coordinator or with person in charge of your event.
Will I meet the musicians before my event?
We provide unlimited phone and email consultations to assist you in planning the music for your event. If you wish, you may also schedule a
time to meet with Oksana to discuss the needs of the event. Please inquire if you think you will need a member of Carolina Royal Strings to
attend rehearsal.
What if one of the musicians is unable to attend the ceremony for some unforeseen reason?
Carolina Royal Strings works with a number of member musicians. If the contracted musician is unable to attend, all efforts will be made to replace them with another Carolina Royal Strings professional.
How will the musicians know when to begin the processional music?
If you have a wedding coordinator, he/she will let us know when everyone is ready. In addition, you can detail out exactly what to watch for in the Wedding Music Planner. This helps to keep everyone informed as to how many family members to seat, last words by officiant, etc. It is a good idea to assign the job to someone not in the wedding party to let us know when everyone is ready to begin the seating/procession.
How will the musicians know when to change pieces during the ceremony?
We will inquire as to the number of mothers, bridesmaids, etc. and will change pieces when it is appropriate. Occasionally, a wedding coordinator will cue us for each change. We have many years of experience and we have great skills in making sure that all the transitions from piece to piece as well as the endings of each happen as smoothly and perfectly as possible. All we need to know is how many people will be walking to each piece of music. Please make sure to inform us of any special circumstances for your event.
Do you accompany guest singers or other musicians?
Yes we do! Our musicians have great experience in accompanying singers and other musicians. Since these tend to be unique to each wedding, please contact us with your specific requirements. Usually, these types of performances require a rehearsal with the guest artist.
How and when do I decide on the music for my wedding?
Using Carolina Royal Strings Wedding Music Ideas and our on-line music samples gives you easy access to music that is both beautiful and
appropriate for your ceremony. You can fill out our Wedding Music Planner as you listen. If you can’t decide what is appropriate we will be glad
to give you further suggestions. Music needs to be chosen about a month before your ceremony.
Can you play a piece not on your repertoire list?
We are always adding new songs to our repertoire. If there is a piece of music that you wish to hear and it is not on our list, please ask, and we will make sure that we have it for your event. There is a cost to purchase the sheet music which can be added to the balance due.