We offer almost all configurations of string ensembles. Based on our experience, the following represents ensembles that we more highly recommend. In general, string players can play up to 3 hours on any given session and jazz players up to 5 hours.
Delectable Duo
Audience Size: 25-60
Deletable Duo represents an intimate ensemble that will suredly bring all your guests closer together.
Ideal Ensembles:
Violin & Cello
Violin & Piano
Piano & Voice (Jazz)
Piano & Bass (Jazz)
String Duo Repertoire List.pdf
Tremendous Trio
Audience Size: 35-75
The Tremendous Trio represents an ensemble that has all the power of the string quartet, but is easy on the budget. A fantastic time indeed!
Violin, Violin/Viola & Cello
Piano, Bass & Voice/Sax (Jazz)
Piano, Drums, & Voice/Sax (Jazz)
String Trio Repertoire List.pdf
Quintessential Quartet
Audience Size: 75-150
The Quintessential Quartet is the flagship ensemble for the Caprice Music Ensembles. This ensemble represents the core of all classical chamber music with as much variation in repertoire as it does in strength and character.
Violin, Violin, Viola & Cello/Bass
Piano, Bass, Drums, Voice/Sax (Jazz)
String Quartet Repertoire List.pdf
Caprice ME - Specialty List (Matthew Naughtin).pdf
Quirky Quintet
Audience Size: 125-250
The Quirky Quintet is a branch off the Quartet This ensemble is the most stable of all ensembles and is ideal for any occassion. Great for outdoors!
Violin, Violin, Viola, Cello & Bass
Piano, Bass, Drums, Sax & Voice (Jazz)
Nonchalant Nonet
Audience Size: 200-450
The Nonchalant Nonet is fantastic for all large engagements. It uses the versitility of a string quartet, but sounds like a small symphony.
Violin (2), Violin (2), Viola(2) & Cello(2), &
Bass
Jazz Ensembles
Jazz musicians are some of the most versitile when it comes to performing in receptions. There are as many jazz ensemble combinations as there are instruments. Below contain some more typical arrangements for jazz combos.
Solo (25-50)
Piano
Duo (35-75)
Piano + Voice, Sax or Drums
Trio (50-130)
Piano + Drums + Sax, Bass, or Voice
Piano + Bass + Sax or Voice
Quartet (100-175)
Piano + Drums + Bass + Sax or Voice
Piano + Drums + T. Sax + Voice
Quintet (125-250)
Piano + Drums + Bass + Sax + Voice
Brass Quintet
A Brass Quintet is an excellent choice for a celebration of the first rate. With its full tones, exciting passages, and warm melodies, this ensemble will be sure to please any guests to a boisterous mood. This ensemble is ideal for:
The brass quintet is a great way to make a larger and more boisterous event come alive. Ideal party size is above 300 people.
Solo Piano &/or Instrument
A solo piano or piano & instrument are a great way to convey emotion and intimacy at to any event.
"There is an ineffable quality about pairing an instrument with piano that always makes me melt when I hear it at any occasion. Certainly, it is one of the more supple ensembles."
- Matthew Cataldi, Director
Ideal for parties 50-150 people, the piano can be paired with a violin, cello, saxophone, voice, or flute and is great for smaller and more enclosed environments.
For reservations pianos must be available onsite at the event location and tuned at most 30 days before the event. Pianos that are made by Boston, Steinway, Yamaha or Fazoli name are preferred.
Ensemble Customization
Customizing an ensemble is a sure way to get the sound that you always dreamed about. Combine violin with organ, voice, and trumpet in a church setting to get all the variations and temperments that make a religious or secular service of any kind soar above your guests.
To qualify for a customized ensemble, the requested pieces must be available in individual or piano format according the ensemble size. The pieces must also be separate arrangements and not contained in larger collections of works unless a scanned copy of the complete piece can be provided.
Repertoire Lists
String Duo (Violin & Piano) Repertoire List.pdf
Real Book Repertoire List.pdf
Reserve Repertoire List
Get complimentary access to our Reserve Repertoire List when booking your musicians with Caprice. For ceremonies, get up to five (5) songs, for receptions, get three (3).
Have unlimited access to this repertoire list at your event for just $75 .
Reserve Repertoire List.pdf
Types of Ensembles
General Rates
The general rates for our musicians are based on the area in which they serve and are CFM compliant. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our areas (click below).
Class Engagements.pdf
Downtown Chicago
Class AA
Weddings & Religious Ceremonies
$175/musician
For up to 2 hours
$37.50/half-hour/musician afterwards
Casual Engagments & Receptions
$250/musician
For up to 3 hours
$50/half-hour/musician afterwards
Greater Chicagoland
Class A
$150/musician
$225/musician
Booking Rates
All Ensembles
Standard Booking Rate
$100/event
Musician Bookings
$25/musician
501(c)(3) Non-Profits & Event Planners my qualify for special discounts on Booking Rates only. Call or email us for more information.
For events that are outdoors or that take place in a large carpeted venue, a Public Announcement (PA) system may be what is needed. This setup can on average take the average range of an ensemble and expand it by a factor of five (5). Audience sizes can be expanded by a factor of four (4).
By reserving a system with an ensemble, guests will still be able to have the intimacy and versatility of a smaller ensemble but still be able to project the volume necessary for all to hear.
A basic PA package for a Caprice Music Ensemble includes two (2) speakers, microphones for up to four (4) players, cables, stands, setup and cartage.
$250 Two Speakers
Literature Arrangement
For special songs that are new enough to not be in print or have a very unique sound, cutomized literature arrangments can be made with professional composers. These works can especially be memoralbe for bride's coming down the isle, first dances, or celebratory songs in tribute for an honored guests.
Literature can be arranged by score or by listening and is contracted by independent verified and certified musical composers.
$50 Single Sheet Music Purchase
$150 Score Arrangements
$250 Audio Track Arrangements
Dress
For events where that special look is essential, Caprice Music Ensembles is able to accommodate several different styles of dress for that perfect touch. Choose from several different options below.
Formal Wear
(Standard)
Men
Black tuxedo, bow tie, cumberbund, shoes & socks with a white ruffled shirt
Women
Black floor length dress
Standard Dress
Traditional suit & tie, black socks, shoes, and belt with a uniform colored tie
Dress of one color (may be multiple patterned), hose, lace sandals or dress shoes
Summer Dinner
Black bow tie, cumberbund, shoes & socks
White ruffled shirt & tuxedo/dinner jacket
Either black or off-white dress
Dress Casual
Button down patterned shirt, khaki pants, brown shoes, socks and belt.
Spring Dress using multiple shades of the same color.
Beach Wear
Short-sleeve shirt with tropical pattern. Khaki shorts and sandals. Straw hat is optional.
Hat, spring dress, sandals (hat also optional).
All Black
Black jacket, bow or long tie, shoes & socks with a black button down shirt
If an event venue is new or is in a non-traditional location, and On-Site Consultation may need to be conducted. On-site consultations allows for the venue to be evaluated for its acoustic and spatial dimensions, ensure proper setup and location of the desired ensemble, to determine an appropriate sized ensemble, and to determine types of literature appropriate for the specific acoustical climate. Such sessions usually last from 30 minutes to 1 hour.
*Accommodations must be made if special parking is needed for the venue at the time of the appointment.
A Private Musical Consultation may be needed for those who desire a professional touch to their program. Such sessions are 1 hour in length and are done at our suite in Evanston. Free street parking is available.
$150 On-Site Consultation
$100 Private Music Consulation
$200 Private & On-Site**
**Must be held at the same date, time, and location and must be conducted during the same block of time.
Rush Priority
If your event is less than 21 days from today, we can help! With our Rush Priority (RP) status, you can rest a little easier for the musical portion of your event. Priority reservations are available 2-20 days in advance of the event. Because the reservation rates are based on the funds being processed rather than being received, we highly recommend that reservations take place online and through Paypal in order to expedite the process.
Rush Priority's are available for booking of private events, public event contracting, and literature arrangment. See below for more details.
Rush Priority for Events
14-20 days $150
7-13 days $225
2-6 days $300
RP for Arrangements
14-20 days $75
7-13 days $120
2-6 days $150
Event Planners
Event planners or venues that subcontract Caprice Music Ensembles for their musical needs will receive a substantial discount on our booking fee. EP's that wish to receive the discount must engage in an exclusivity agreement between CME and is renewable every year.
Inquire with us at (847) 859-9325 or email us at caprice.music_gmail.com .
Rates & Services
Standard Ensembles
For all ensembles booked 21 days before their event, we offer guaranteed availability on all performances.
Get started with an ensemble of choice. Simply fill out the Basic Information Form (below) and send it to caprice.music_gmail.com to receive an estimate within 48 hours.
Basic Information Form.doc
Musical Contracting
For persons or organizations of any kind that are interested in hiring musicians for a concert, Caprice Music Ensembles can help. Our musicians perform regularly not only for weddings and private events, but for events around the globe. Our local performers here are regular participants in the Rockford, South Bend, Illinois, Green Bay, Elgin, Lyric, and even Chicago Symphony Orchestras.
Caprice Music Ensembles is an American Federation of Musicians compliant organization. All rates are based on the CFM Local 10-208 standard minimum scale rates.
If you are interested in hiring an ensemble or supplementing an already existing ensemble, please contact us at caprice.music_gmail.com or at (847) 859-9325.
Rush Services
To reserve a Rush Priority ensemble (bookings 20 days or less from the event date), please contact us directly at (847) 859-9325 or at caprice.music_gmail.com . Be sure to include ALL information on the Basic Information Form located to the left of this text.
If this form is being sent through email (highly recommended), be sure to include:
Please click on the Rates & Services tab and then on Rush Priority for pricing and service information.
Reservations
