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Over the past 20 years The Classic String Quartet has been devoted to providing tasteful music and services to an assortment of parties and events. Our musicians are an active part of the music scene in Toronto; accomplished professionals who perform with a variety of orchestras and ensembles in southern Ontario.

Our ensembles are available to enhance the ambience at your wedding, reception, anniversary, celebration or corporate event, no matter the location. We play inside or out, cruising on the Segwun or on the golf course, at the cottage or in a reception hall. From Muskoka to Toronto, Niagara to Ottawa, the Classic String Quartet will provide memorable music for your special occasion.

We provide a wide variety of classical music for each ensemble. Your choice of ensemble may vary according to space and size of the venue and should reflect your personal preferences and tastes in music. Most of our repertoire is available for any of the following ensembles.

Quartet

Two violins, one viola and one cello

Trio

Two violins and one cello

Duo

Two violins or violin and cello

Solo

Violin, viola or cello

Musicians performing at CSQ events may vary due to availability and location. Our professional quality and high standard is guaranteed.

If you need a lighter atmosphere, you may be interested in Jazzical. We play a number of jazz standards and traditional cocktail music to create a lively environment. Jazzical performers bring their own keyboard and amplifier if no suitable piano is available. Jazzical is available in the following forms:

Solo

Jazz or cocktail piano

Duo

Jazz piano and violin

If your tastes are more into jigs and reels, inquire about our Scottish and Celtic Fiddling. This combo is great fun for parties and Robbie Burns celebrations. Available as fiddle and keyboard.

Wedding Ceremonies

For wedding ceremonies and receptions we offer traditional favourites and contemporary requests. Some of our most requested music selections includes Bach's Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, Air on a G String, Pachelbel's Canon, Vivaldi's Spring and the Mendelssohn Wedding March. Our musicians offer flexible service, experience, and excellence to ensure your music will be a memorable addition to your wedding day.

Processionals

• La Rejouissance, Handel
• Trumpet Tune, Purcell
• Trumpet Voluntary, J. Clark
• Bridal Chorus, Wagner
• The Verve, Bittersweet Symphony
• Canon in D, Pachelbel

Signing of the Registry

• Air on a G String, Bach
• Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, Bach
• Largo from "Winter", Vivaldi
• Meditation from Thaïs, Massenet
• Gabriel's Oboe, Ennio Morricone
• Ave Maria, Schubert

Recessionals

• Hornpipe, Handel
• Rondeau, Mouret
• Ode to Joy, Beethoven
• Trumpet Voluntary, J. Clark
• Spring from "The Four Seasons", Vivaldi
• Wedding March, Mendelssohn

Also, see our Extended Repertoire List

Receptions

Our musicians provide a versatile selection of musical repertoire to enhance your event — Anniversary Parties, Birthdays, corporate functions or private parties. We will provide professional service and create the perfect ambiance for your event. Music choices may include Classical, Romantic and light classical, Popular and Show tunes, Viennese, Ragtime, Opera, Celtic and Jazz.

We offer various ensembles to suit your musical requirements with a range of fees to suit your budget.

Ensembles include:

• String Quartet — two violins, viola and cello
• String Trio — two violins and cello
• String Duo — two violins or violin and cello
• Solo String — violin or cello
• Fiddle or Fiddle and Accordion
• Jazz piano solo, Jazz Duo and Jazz Trio (instrumentation may include piano plus violin, bass, percussion, voice, or trombone).

Combinations of ensembles are recommended for events over 3 hours in length.

Funerals and Memorials

Our musicians will provide thoughtful and beautiful music as a tribute or celebration of life for your loved one. Special reflective music can be chosen to meet your needs.

Selections recommended include Bach, Fauré, Handel, Mozart, Purcell and hymns. Choose from our suggested quiet reflective music list or make suggestions of your own. Music can be chosen that is quiet and meditative or lively and upbeat in a celebration of life.

Recommended Selections

• Arne, Air
• Bach, Air on a G String
• Bach, Sheep May Safely Graze
• Beethoven, Cavatina
• Fauré, Pavane
• Fauré, Pie Jesu
• Handel, Where e'er You Walk
• Lakmé, Flower Duet
• Mozart, Ave Verum
• Purcell, Chaconne

Events

Venues

Live music is particularly well suited to events that require outdoor music or location flexibility. For weddings, the musicians can easily move from the ceremony to the reception location within a short time. At corporate functions musicians may relocate with ease from a reception area to the dining room.

Most of our clients come from recommendations or referrals. Popular venues we perform at regularly include McLean House, Langdon Hall, The Royal York Hotel, King Edward, Eaton Hall, The Old Mill, Casa Loma, Red Leaves Marriott, Sherwood Inn, Delta Rocky Crest, Yacht Clubs and numerous Golf and Country Clubs from Toronto to Muskoka.

Attire

The musicians will be in formal concert dress — black and white — unless otherwise requested.

Equipment

Stands, instruments and music are provided by the musicians. Armless straight back chairs, adequate lighting and a comfortable temperature protected from direct sunlight is required. For outside weddings a cover may be necessary to shade from direct sunlight — a canopy, gazebo or trees and a flat area to set up the chairs should be provided.

Repertoire

Our musicians provide a versatile selection of musical repertoire to enhance your event. Special arrangements can also be made to perform with a soloist or to arrange additional music you may require. Music consultation is available to assist you in choosing the appropriate ensemble and music selections. To hear the professional quality of our musicians please listen to our sound clips.

For receptions and parties choose from our extensive Classical, Popular and Celtic music lists. Some popular requests include the lively Mozart Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, romantic Strauss Waltzes, heart-warming Danny Boy and some swinging Joplin Rags.

Special arrangements can also be made to perform with a soloist or to arrange additional music or favourite selections you may require. Piano is also offered with a range of styles including classical to jazz.

Classical

• Brandenburg Concertos, Bach
• Suite of Four Pieces, Bach
• Minuet, Boccherini
• "Water Music" Suite, Handel
• Quartets by Mozart & Haydn
• Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Mozart
• Divertimenti, Mozart
• Palladio, Jenkins

Popular and Light Classics

• Beatles, Medley
• Con te Partirò, Bocelli
• Gershwin Selections
• Joplin, Rags
• Kreisler, Selections
• Sunrise, Sunset
• Strauss Waltzes
• Vivaldi, "The Four Seasons"

Also, see our Extended Repertoire List and Popular Song List

Sound Clips

On this page you can listen to samples and hear the professional quality of our musicians.

Music consultations are available to assist with your music selection.

Accolades

"On behalf of Paul and myself we have to send a HUGE thank you to all of you for providing us with such extraordinary music on our wedding day!!! It was truly magical! I know we got off to a bit of a delayed start as a result of the previous wedding, but everyone was just so elated and could not stop raving about the music at the church for the entire day and night!!! You made our day so special for us!"

"The music was very nice...added the perfect touch to the night!"

"I had lots of very positive feedback about the music. It was great — thanks again!"

"The musicians apparently did a great job…so we were told by our guests!!! There is so much going on for the bride and groom and parents that we hardly had time to notice them!!"

"We just wanted to thank you so very much for the beautiful music you provided for our wedding in Bracebridge on August 19th. You were all so talented and your performance was outstanding. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to speak with you personally to thank you. You must know that you received many accolades from our guests. The quartet truly made the ceremony quite fairytale-like."

"Shari, your duo that you sent was fabulous — we couldn't have asked for any better, thank you soooo much!"

"Thank you to you and your fellow musicians for providing beautiful music for our wedding day August 12, 2006. We were disappointed we were not able to meet face to face on the wedding day."

"I would like to thank you and John for the beautiful performance at our Valentine's Day brunch. It was most enjoyable… and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it! Thank you again!"

Contact Us

We would love to be a part of your special wedding or event and would be pleased to consult with you regarding your plans. Feel free to give me a call or send an e-mail to receive further information on our services.

Please provide us with some details regarding the time and date of your event. Your quote will be based on the number of musicians, location, date and time requested.

Booking your musicians early will help ensure we can provide you with the ensemble you require. After consultation with Shari by phone or e-mail regarding time and details about the ensemble you require, you are ready to confirm the booking. Please complete the booking contract and mail with two cheques: one cheque for the deposit for half of the total and the second cheque post-dated for the balance of the fees.

Links

• Windermere House
• All Seasons Weddings
• All Seasons Wedding Ceremonies

  Our licensed male or female wedding officiants conduct personalized civil, interfaith and spiritual wedding vows and custom marriage ceremonies at your home, cottage, banquet hall, or church.

• Wishes Concierge
• Kettle Creek Weddings
• Larry Bond: Event Pianist
• Deerhurst Resort
• The Mitch Beube Band
• Chamber Groups
• Floraville Design Studio