Frequently Asked Questions

What are your rates? - $360 for a minimum one hour performance.  $180 per each additional 1/2 hour requested.

How many musicians are in The El Paso String Quartet and what instruments do they play? - We are a group of four musicians playing the following instruments:  2 Violin, 1 Viola, and 1 Cello.  Our Director, Valerie Camargo is also available to perform vocally as she plays the guitar, or vocally with accompaniment from the group.

Can I request a demo CD? - At this time we do not offer CD’s, but we have listening samples on our Repertoire List.

What is included in your fees? - Our base fees always include:

•  the net playing time/time on spot, i.e. between the first and last note the quartet plays.
• musicians arriving early for setup, to meet with presiding clergy/official to discuss final details of the order of the ceremony, or to do a quick run of a song (for example with an outside soloist) etc.

Are there any additional fees/cost? - Additional fees (if applicable) would be:

• Overtime charges.  $90.00 per each additional fifteen minutes over the end-time specified in the contract.  A ceremony will not exceed more than one hour if it is carefully planned between you and your presiding clergy/official.

Are there any “hidden” fees? - No.

Do you require a deposit? - Yes.  There will be a $160.00 deposit of the total amount due at the signing of the contract.

Is my deposit refundable? - Unfortunately-no, unless of course, EPSQ fails to provide the service agreed upon. We take our commitments seriously – almost as seriously as when a bride and a groom say “I Do”.  We will guarantee quality professional service/music per our contractual agreement.

When are payments due? -  After the initial deposit is paid, the remaining balance will be due on the day of the event before the quartet starts playing.  This is for ours as well as for your convenience, as we know a wedding ceremony or other special event can be a very stressful time for our clients.  We even suggest sending in the remaining balance in advance, so there is one less item to address on your big day.

Can we set up a meeting to discuss details and sign a contract? - Sure, after you initially contact us, we can certainly meet  at your convenience.  The planning of a wedding or other special event usually takes many months of preparation, and we are always available for consultations regarding your important questions and concerns.

Can we hear you play live? – Certainly, as long as we can obtain permission from our client to invite outside guests.

Is there an additional fee if we require a vocalist? – No. We have a vocalist on staff to perform for you at no additional cost.  Please refer to our Repertoire List for songs that our vocalist will perform while playing the guitar or with ensemble accompaniment.

Do you require any special accommodations? - Our quartet will need enough space to set up and perform in an area
that is approximately 10 x 10 square feet.  We will need four armless chairs to sit and play in.

Can you play outdoors? –Yes, as long as we are guaranteed that proper shelter is provided for us from direct sunlight, humidity, rain, and wind. Because unpredictable weather conditions can also result in an unpleasant outdoor experience for your guests, we also recommend a “Plan B” for the service to be redirected indoors, if necessary.

Can you play prelude music before the Ceremony? – It is very nice to have music performed fifteen minutes  before the start of the wedding ceremony as your guests arrive and are being seated.  Prelude music consists of mostly Baroque and Classical Age music that often resembles a chamber music concert, creating the right atmosphere and giving your guests the best chance to appreciate a good performance. 

How large a group do I need? - The size of the group depends on your personal preferences as well as financial considerations and the number of guests.  All groups perform acoustically and are loud enough, so the volume is never a real concern.  It is the actual density and richness of the sound that makes the difference.  Our quartet is appropriate for most weddings and receptions.