| How
does one find out if the band is available and go about
getting a quote?
It's easy! Just fill out our short form and email
it to us. You will have a prompt response to your inquiry.
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What are the steps involved for hiring Rhapsody Orchestra? You will receive via fax, email or mail a contract to review and sign. If a venue has not been decided on, the date will be secured through a deposit with final price pending on venue decision. A date is not secured until a contract has been signed by both parties and a deposit has been sent.
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What happens after the contract is signed?
For a typical wedding, the client is contacted 8 weeks prior with a reminder to start thinking about special requests and what songs they would or would not like to hear based on the Rhapsody song list. Thirty days prior to the event, the client will be contacted to discuss any special requests and finalize details. This is done over the phone. For corporate events, lead time for preparation may be increased depending on the complexity of the event.
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What
is a typical format for an evening of live music?
A typical event consists of either a solo or duo instrumental setting for the cocktail hour and a trio or quartet for dinner. The full dance band starts playing after dinner. Minimum playing time for the dance band is 3 hours of music with two 15 minute set breaks. There is a minimum of a 7 piece band for Saturday evening events. Continuous music and/or longer playing time can be arranged for an additional charge.
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How is the volume controlled?
Rhapsody Orchestra prices include a professional sound man dedicated to balancing volume throughout the course of your event. Conversation is the most important aspect of the cocktail hour and dinner service. For this reason, decibel levels are kept to a minimum. During the dance set, volume comes up a bit to increase the energy, but is still maintained to suit the venue and atmosphere of the party. Keep in mind when choosing your venue that certain rooms are not acoustically suited for music – live or recorded. If the room has a lot of reflective surfaces (wood, marble, glass) and is void of sound absorbers (curtains, carpet) any band or DJ will be limited on what can be achieved sound wise. However, constant attention is paid to work within the acoustic parameters of the venue.
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Can you announce the bridal party or emcee
important announcements?
Yes. There will be an additional charge if this entails early set up of the P.A. There is no extra charge if emceeing is requested during the time live music is contracted.
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Is it less expensive to have recorded music
played through the P.A. for cocktails and dinner
than it is to have live music?
Not necessarily. It takes three people to set up the band P.A. and there is an extra cost if the P.A needs to be set up ahead of time for recorded music. Having a solo piano or duo instrumental setting during cocktails and dinner adds an element of class for a fraction more of the cost and volume is easily maintained. Also, many times the cocktail hour is in a different location from the dinner and dancing area. This would entail bringing an additional P.A. and could potentially cost just as much as live music.
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Where can one see the band play live?
Should we get an approval from clients ahead of time, we will welcome potential clients to come and hear the band at a private event.
However, we discourage potential clients from coming to see us play at other private events for multiple reasons: venues may not have good acoustics, many potential clients coming to see the band for a private party in one evening could cause a distraction during important traditional moments, potential clients may not like the songs we are playing though they may be special requests’ of the party, etc. The video clips on this website provide an excellent resource for seeing the band live.
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What
does the band wear?
Men wear all black suits and women are in formal attire. Tuxedos can be worn upon request.
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Is the band on the CD/audio samples the actual
band for the event?
The musicians playing on the Rhapsody Orchestra demo are the first-call musicians for all events. Musicians are independent contractors and are not employees. This is true of ALL bands in Chicago. On occasion, it is expected that musicians will have other binding gigs or tours, become ill or have personal obligations. Should a musician not be able to perform for any of the above reasons, a substitute of equal caliber that is familiar with the repertoire will be used. This will not sacrifice the integrity of the music. Rhapsody Orchestra stakes its reputation on its music and only hires experienced, professional musicians.
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Can
you play an entire evening of pop music found on
the radio?
Yes. However, an evening of one type of music is not suggested. Wedding receptions include a variety of people with varying tastes. People will inevitably start requesting alternative music to suit their needs. To keep the dance floor full, it’s best to mix up the music during the evening. If you want a high-powered dance set from beginning to end, it’s best to save it for the final set.
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Can you play an entire evening of Jazz music?
Yes. However, an evening of one type of music is not suggested. Wedding receptions include a variety of people with varying tastes. People will inevitably start requesting alternative music to suit their needs. To keep the dance floor full, it’s best to mix up the music during the evening. If you want a lot of jazz, it’s best to play it heavier in the beginning of the evening and mix it in with more contemporary songs as the evening progresses.
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Can
the client be in charge of the set list for the
band to play?
Every event is different and there is absolutely no way you can forecast a set list. It is highly recommended that the client go though Rhapsody Orchestra’s song list and mark songs they would or would not like to hear. This way there is a feel for the client’s tastes. It’s best to let the band leader decide ultimately how the music flows. They are hired for their expertise and experience in this field.
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What
happens during band breaks?
There is recorded music through the P.A. of whatever the client requests. Some clients prefer to burn their own CD’s or bring their own playlists on iPods for Rhapsody’s soundman to play during breaks. If nothing is requested, the leader chooses something appropriate for the current mood of the party.
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How
does one make sure certain songs are not played
during an event?
Clients are strongly encouraged to go through the Rhapsody song list and cross off songs they do not wish to hear and star or circle those they most want to hear. This gives a better understanding of the clients’ tastes.
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What if the song we want for our first dance
is not on the Rhapsody song list?
Most special requests for first dances, if not on the band list, can be played by the band provided a recorded copy of the song is given to the band director 30 days prior to the event. Otherwise a CD of the song may be played over the P.A.
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Can you play songs not on the Rhapsody song
list?
Please inform us of those songs. You may be surprised…..we just might know them. If not, they can be played over the P.A. during band breaks.
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If the event is running late, does the band
play late?
Most events run late to some degree. However the band members are always set up and ready to play at their contracted time. For this reason, time is not made up at the end of the evening. If dinner is still in service when the band is due to start, the band will maintain a low volume level that will not interfere with conversation.
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When
is a good time for toasts or special videos?
Time allocated for special toasts or prayers or slide shows while musicians are on stage during a music set is considered part of the music set and is not considered a music break. It is highly suggested that these events take place during band breaks where musicians are off the stage.
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Will
the band setting up interfere with the party?
Setting up varies from venue to venue and depends on room design. Setting up for the P.A. starts two hours before the contracted start time for music. Arrival of P.A. for set up is two hours before contracted start time for dance orchestra or dinner music if contracted for dinner music. P.A. set up does not include any instruments or amps. Musicians bring their own instruments and amps. Musicians arrive with their instruments one hour prior to their contracted start time. Instruments are loaded in discreetly on a cart. Many venues also have a back entrance from where musical gear gets transported.
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Do
there need to be meals provided for the band?
Three meals are required for people setting up the band P.A. In addition, meals are required for any musician working the duration of 4 or more contracted hours. Employee meals are acceptable. Your caterer should be willing to help you with this.
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Is
there anything the client needs to provide equipment
wise for the band?
The band provides all P.A. (sound) equipment. The only lighting provided for by the band is music stand lighting and back lighting. The client is responsible for ensuring that the venue has an adequate, safe electrical supply. Non grounded outlets can be a fire hazard and could potentially damage the band’s equipment.
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What can the client do to ensure that the
dance floor is constantly in use?
Make sure the dance floor is directly in front of the band. There are times, both in wedding receptions and corporate parties, where the band is distanced from the dance floor either by tables, ice sculptors, wedding cakes, etc. This is a very poor choice if you want your guests to interact with the band and feel comfortable to dance. What looks good on paper aesthetically does not always work well in practice.
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What
happens when overtime is requested?
Twenty minutes before the band is contracted to end, the client is asked if they would like to extend playing time. Overtime is done in ½ hour increments. The balance for overtime charges in due within one week after the event or late charges apply.
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What if guests or clients are requesting an
encore of one song?
Rhapsody Orchestra is very strict with contracted start and end times. Additional playing time may be purchased with an overtime contract (see above response).
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Is there a discount when the event is not
held on Saturdays? Yes, however, the discount does not apply to holidays or the eve of holidays or events held around the Christmas season.
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Does
the price of the band fluctuate depending on where
the event is held?
Sometimes. Downtown venues do cost more due to the additional time and cost spent for loading in and parking. Many downtown venues can be very tricky to load into when freight elevators and security issues are involved. Also, certain mansions in and around the Chicago metro-area do not provide elevators making load-in quite arduous. The band P.A. and certain instruments are extremely heavy and fragile. For safety reasons, equipment will NOT be carried up more than five stairs. Elevators must be accessible to the band for events that require changing floor levels or the band is not obligated to set up until alternative arrangements are made. Depending on travel time and distance, there may also be an increase in cost for events held outside of the Chicago city limits. This is why we final price is not determined until the venue is solidified.
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What is Rhapsody Orchestra's payment policy?
A NON-REFUNDABLE 50% deposit of the full amount is due on the signing date. The remaining balance is due one month prior to the contracted date. In the event that the contracted date has been changed, or amendments have been made that reflect a new balance due, a revised contract will be installed and the previous contract becomes null and void once the revised contract is signed by both parties. All payments that have been made towards the voided contract will be credited towards the revised contract.
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What forms of payment are accepted?
Rhapsody Orchestra accepts all major credit cards as well money orders, cashier or bank checks. Please note, there is a 3% service charge added to any amount being billed to a credit card.
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What happens if the event is cancelled?
A NON-REFUNDABLE 50% deposit of the full amount is due on the signing date. In the event that the contracted date has been canceled or changed, the client must provide written notice postmarked no later than 6 weeks prior to the contracted date. Otherwise, the full payment is due.
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What happens if the client changes the date
or venue after the contract has been signed?
Any change of date needs to occur 6 weeks prior to the original contracted date and the original musician line-up cannot be guaranteed. Price may also change if a new venue is chosen. A new contract will be signed by both parties and the 50% deposit and any other payments made on the prior contract will be applied towards the change of venue or date.
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Feel free to contact
us with any additional questions
you may have. |
