Hire Musicians for Funerals, Wakes, and Farewells.
Winners of national & international music competitions.
WHITE LADY FUNERALS
HOW TO BOOK OUR MUSICIANS
HIRE A STRING QUARTET FOR A FUNERAL SERVICE, WAKE & FAREWELL
Engage a string quartet to add a touch of elegance and grace to your loved one’s final tribute, be it a funeral service, wake, or commemorative gathering.
Organising funeral rites and commemoration services can be a daunting task. With a myriad of logistical considerations to be tackled within a constrained timeframe, coupled with a whirlwind of emotions, the process can be rather exhausting, often with little time for rest.
Music, in its ineffable capacity, offers a potent medium through which we can bid adieu and express our feelings without uttering a word. It weaves a touching narrative that words often fail to express.
Unfortunately, the significance of live music at funerals is frequently underestimated, usually due to the mistaken belief that it’s impossible to organise at short notice.
Our highly recognised team of classical musicians, however, has had the privilege of providing performances for hundreds of funeral services and wake ceremonies, often with very minimal notice. For us, being able to contribute to the celebration of a person’s life and their final farewell is an honour of the highest order.
We would feel immensely privileged to lend our talents in creating a fitting celebration for your loved one’s life. To discuss engaging a string quartet for funeral services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at your earliest convenience.
ARTISTIC MASTERY & PROFICIENCY
String Musicians Australia takes immense pride in our talented musicians who have a distinguished track record in national and international music competitions. Their remarkable artistry and proficiency have led to a multitude of accolades, evident in our long list of achievements.
Further testament to our excellence is our status as the string quartet with the highest number of 5-star Google reviews across Australia. This honour reflects the consistent quality of our performances and the overwhelming satisfaction of those who have engaged our services.
Our reputation for excellence extends to a prestigious clientele that includes high-profile corporate names like Aston Martin, Mercedes Benz, and Giorgio Armani. These relationships are built on trust and recognition of our superior artistry, as we are not only government-certified distinguished musicians and recording artists, but also dedicated professionals committed to delivering exceptional performances.
Over the past decade, our musicians have graced more than 2,500 events across Australia with their remarkable talents. This extensive experience, coupled with our weekly collaborations with the country’s top symphony and chamber orchestras, speaks volumes about our versatility and passion for performing.
But our love for music transcends mere performance. Every note we play is a testament to our gratitude for being able to make music our profession. Our performances are more than just technical execution – they are heartfelt musical journeys crafted with ardour and authenticity.
This dedication is clear at each event we play, invariably drawing appreciation from those in attendance. Our passion, coupled with the sheer joy we find in performing, helps to create a positive and engaging ambience at your function, guaranteeing an enchanting and unforgettable experience for your guests. With String Musicians Australia, you’re not just hiring musicians, you’re engaging a group of artists dedicated to creating a memorable musical narrative.
WHY A STRING QUARTET IS BEST FOR A FUNERAL SERVICE
A string quartet can be an essential addition to a funeral service, providing a profound enrichment to the emotional resonance of the event. Music, particularly the emotive strains of a string quartet, transcends verbal language, reaching into the very depths of our emotional cores. It allows us to connect with and express the collective sense of loss, love, and remembrance in a manner that words may fail to capture.
The unique timbre and range of the string quartet – encompassing the versatility of two violins, the warm depth of the viola, and the rich resonance of the cello – creates a multi-dimensional auditory landscape. This composition is capable of mirroring the myriad of feelings experienced during a funeral, from the sombre and reflective, through to the uplifting and hopeful. Through the nuanced language of music, a string quartet can encapsulate the complex tapestry of human emotions experienced at a funeral service.
Moreover, the presence of a string quartet adds a personal and intimate touch to the occasion. Unlike a pre-recorded soundtrack, live musicians respond to and work within the emotional atmosphere of the service, providing a heartfelt, authentic, and real-time musical journey. This interaction creates an environment where feelings of sadness and joy, loss and celebration, can coexist, reflecting the bittersweet nature of bidding farewell to a loved one.
In essence, choosing a string quartet for a funeral service offers an opportunity to create a deeply personal and poignant musical narrative. This serves as a fitting tribute to your loved one, enhancing the process of saying goodbye and starting the healing journey in a meaningful and respectful way.
FLEXIBLE ENSEMBLE OPTIONS TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS
We recognise that circumstances vary, and sometimes, whether due to financial considerations or spatial constraints, hiring a full string quartet might not be feasible. Rest assured, we have flexible options designed to cater to a variety of scenarios without compromising the profound beauty of live string music.
If space is limited (a quartet requires approximately 2.5m x 2.5m), or if your budget better aligns with a smaller ensemble, we can accommodate with a string trio, duo, or even a solo option. A string trio is a compact yet powerful combination of two violinists and a cellist. Our string duo, meanwhile, comprises a violinist and a cellist, ensuring a balanced blend of melody and harmony.
For even more intimate settings, a solo performer can create a deeply personal musical experience. Depending on your preference, this soloist could be a violinist or a cellist.
Furthermore, we understand that some venues might present tighter quarters. To adapt to these situations, our musicians are fully prepared to perform standing up, should the need arise. The only exception would be our cellist, who would need to remain seated.
In essence, we strive to provide as much flexibility as possible, ensuring that regardless of your circumstances, the music at your loved one’s service is beautifully fitting and impactful.
PERFORMANCE TIMES DURING A FUNERAL SERVICE
We are honoured to perform at various points throughout the service, helping to guide the emotional journey of those attending. As guests arrive, we provide a comforting and gentle backdrop to their arrival, helping to set a serene atmosphere. As the service commences, we perform a heartfelt piece that signifies the beginning of the formal farewell and honours the life of the departed.
During moments of reflection or slideshow presentations, we offer a selection of meaningful songs that accompany the remembrance of cherished memories, allowing attendees to connect with their emotions in a deeper and more intimate manner. Finally, as the service draws to a close, we conclude with an evocative composition that encapsulates the essence of the farewell and provides a sense of closure while guests depart.
We appreciate that every service is unique, and as such, we are open to adapting our performance to accommodate your specific requirements. If you wish for us to perform at additional moments during the service, please feel free to communicate your preferences.
While it is helpful to include the timings of our performances in the service booklet, we understand that it may not always be feasible. As a seasoned string quartet specialising in funeral services, we are well-versed in coordinating with funeral directors to ensure a seamless integration into the proceedings. Upon our arrival, we can discuss any necessary details with the funeral director to make certain that our music aligns with and enhances the emotional resonance of the service.
CLASSICAL MUSIC FOR A FUNERAL SERVICE
In our experience, our clients often lean towards classical music that strikes a balance between the reflective and the uplifting for funeral and farewell services. These selections tend to be neither overly jubilant nor excessively melancholic, instead creating an atmosphere of gentle contemplation and respectful remembrance.
Our repertoire for funeral services primarily comprises pieces composed between the 1600s and 1900s, a period that saw the flourishing of the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic eras of music. This selection allows us to provide an emotionally rich tapestry of sound that truly honours your loved one.
We often feature the masterful compositions of Johann Sebastian Bach, whose contrapuntal textures and complex harmonies provide a profound depth of emotion. The moving beauty of Antonio Vivaldi’s compositions, particularly those from his Four Seasons, often create an atmosphere of serene reflection.
We also perform the works of George Frideric Handel, whose music is noted for its dramatic expressiveness and rich orchestration. Another renowned composer we draw upon is Henry Purcell, whose music, imbued with a distinctly English character, offers both solemnity and grace.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s music, noted for its emotional depth and complex simplicity, forms an essential part of our repertoire. His timeless compositions evoke a sense of peace and introspection, making them highly suitable for the ambience of a funeral service.
We also incorporate compositions by Joseph Haydn, whose music is known for its formal elegance and lyrical expressiveness. Haydn’s music adds an element of noble dignity, which aligns perfectly with the solemnity of the occasion.
Finally, we often perform works by Ludwig van Beethoven, a composer who straddled the Classical and Romantic periods. His music, characterised by dramatic contrasts and deeply emotive melodies, provides a profound accompaniment to the farewell proceedings.
In sum, our repertoire of classical pieces, carefully selected from the works of these iconic composers, ensures a fitting musical backdrop to the service, enhancing the overall experience and offering comfort to those in attendance.
MODERN MUSIC FOR A FUNERAL SERVICE
In addition to classical compositions, we are also proficient in a broad array of romantic love songs that span from the 1950s through to the present day. This allows us to bring a nostalgic touch to the service, potentially reflecting the departed’s personal tastes or key moments in their life.
From the heartfelt ballads of the 1950s and 60s, that were often marked by evocative melodies and poignant lyrics, we can rekindle the spirit of a bygone era. These songs, from the likes of artists such as Frank Sinatra or Ella Fitzgerald, could potentially echo significant moments or memories associated with your loved one.
Moving into the vibrant and diverse landscape of the 70s and 80s, we can perform iconic love songs from this era. Whether it’s a song from a renowned band like The Beatles, or a moving piece from a legendary artist like Elton John, our repertoire encapsulates a wide range of musical styles from these decades.
As for contemporary love songs, from the 90s to the present day, we have an extensive selection that includes works from various genres and artists. Ranging from soulful R&B ballads to powerful pop anthems, these songs can add a modern touch to the ceremony, resonating with younger attendees or reflecting the more recent musical preferences of the departed.
The ability to perform such a wide range of romantic love songs, spanning different eras and styles, allows us to customise the music to mirror the unique life and personality of your loved one, creating a deeply personal and resonant musical backdrop for the funeral service.
We invite you to explore over 200 sample recordings, which could assist you in making your selection.
TAILORED MUSIC SELECTION
We understand and respect that musical preferences can be highly individual. Therefore, we are more than willing to adapt to your specific requests and perform pieces that resonate more deeply with your personal taste or perhaps have a special significance to your loved one.
If there are any specific songs that hold a particular importance to you or your departed loved-one, we warmly welcome your requests. We kindly ask you to share these with us at your earliest convenience so that we can prepare accordingly. If we do not currently have the sheet music for your requested song, we’ll do our best to source or arrange it.
To enhance your experience with our string quartet at funeral and farewell services, we allow all our clients up to three special song requests at no additional cost.
Alternatively, we have created a playlist of our most requested reflective songs for funeral services. Just scroll down to the bottom two playlists. There is one that features classical music and another that features contemporary music. These songs are slow-paced but not sombre. They are beautiful choices.
If you have time, please listen to all of our 200+ sample recordings. Tracks play automatically one after another, so you can complete other tasks and have the recordings play in the background. Once one playlist is finished, you’ll need to click on the first track of the next playlist.
ENTRUST US WITH YOUR MUSIC SELECTION
We understand that in the midst of planning a funeral service, choosing the right pieces of music might feel like an overwhelming task. Dealing with grief and logistical arrangements simultaneously can be incredibly challenging, and we’re here to ease this burden in any way we can.
If you find the responsibility of song selection to be too daunting amidst everything else you are managing, we are more than prepared to take care of it for you. Drawing upon our extensive experience and deep understanding of the emotional tone of funeral services, we are capable of making suitable choices that will enrich the ceremony while also honouring the essence of your loved one.
Our goal will be to select music that is reflective and beautiful, creating a comforting space for all in attendance. The pieces chosen will neither be overly lively, which might feel out of place, nor excessively sombre, which could add to the weight of sadness. Instead, our musical choices will seek to strike a balanced emotional tone, delicately capturing the essence of the event — a respectful commemoration of life and a heartfelt farewell.
In essence, you can trust us to handle the musical aspect of the service with sensitivity and professionalism, allowing you to focus on other aspects of the occasion, and most importantly, on your process of healing and remembrance.
THREE KEY MUSIC MOMENTS
As we lend our talents to the occasion, we will perform serene, reflective music as guests begin to gather and also as they take their leave. Yet, the core moments where our melodies truly echo are during the processional, the reflective interlude (commonly a slideshow brimming with treasured photos), and the final exit.
These three crucial junctures are where you have the opportunity to select a specific piece of music for us to perform – a song that captures the essence, the emotion, the story of your loved one. Whether it’s a cherished song or a piece of music that resonates with you or your departed loved-on, your selection will be central to the emotional narrative of the service.
If the piece you’ve chosen isn’t in our current repertoire, don’t worry. We’ll make every effort to locate or arrange the sheet music. Our commitment is to ensure the music at these key moments creates a profound and personal tribute to your loved one.
BOOKING TIME SUGGESTION
For funeral services and farewell ceremonies, we recommend booking our string quartet 20 minutes before the official commencement of the event. This arrangement ensures we are in place to provide a serene and comforting ambience as guests begin to arrive and find their seats, with a selection of reflective musical pieces setting a respectful tone.
For example, if the service is scheduled to start at 9am, we advise booking our services from 8:40am onwards. To assure punctuality and a seamless start, we will arrive by 8:20 am at the latest, allowing us sufficient time to set up and be ready to commence our performance at 8:40 am.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that the duration of funeral services can often exceed the initial timeframe due to various unforeseen factors. Therefore, we suggest reserving our services for an additional 15 minutes post the expected conclusion time. This measure will help maintain a smooth flow of music, should the service extend beyond the anticipated end time, and ensures a harmonious musical closure to the event.
STRING QUARTET HIRE FOR WAKES
If you’re considering having our music enrich both the funeral service and the wake, please ensure to extend your booking duration to accommodate this. If the wake is to be held at a different location, we kindly request that you make two separate bookings to ensure seamless arrangements, or provide details in the comment box of our booking form.
Additionally, there is flexibility in how you engage our services. You may choose to book a string quartet solely for the wake, independent of the funeral service.
In recognition of the significance of these moments, we offer discounts for clients who book our string quartet for both the wake and the funeral service, as a small gesture of support during this challenging time.
For any additional details or clarifications regarding booking our string quartet for wakes and funeral services, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to guide you through every step of the process.
LOW-LIGHT SETTINGS
Since we read our music on our iPads, we can perform in dark and low-light settings.
we don't REQUIRE POWER
As we perform on acoustic instruments, we don’t require access to power.
As a result, our set up time is efficient and keeps our performance area safe and tidy.
WE PERFORM IN OUTDOOR SETTINGS
We are pleased to perform outdoors; however, our valuable instruments necessitate protection from direct sunlight, rain, and wind.
Appropriate outdoor venues include verandas, balconies, and decks with overhead cover, marquees, large shade umbrellas, or generous trees offering ample shade without the risk of falling foliage.
Performing on or near sand is not viable due to potential instrument damage.
In case of inclement weather, please ensure an indoor backup performance area is available.
OUR DRESS CODE
Our dress code for all performances is formal black.
OUR PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
We require minimal assistance from our clients.
Here are our performance requirements.
EXCEPTIONAL CLIENT CARE
We understand the immense importance of flawless coordination on the day of your loved one’s funeral service. Our role extends far beyond just delivering exquisite live music. We are committed to ensuring a smooth, worry-free experience for you during this challenging time.
With our services, you can take comfort in knowing that all music-related aspects will be meticulously managed, giving you the space to grieve and focus on the commemoration of your loved one’s life.
From the moment you engage with us, a professional musician from our team will be assigned to serve as your dedicated point of contact. This ensures a clear and consistent communication channel, greatly reducing the chance of any misunderstandings.
We acknowledge that funeral services are of the highest importance among all occasions. Therefore, we make it our priority to be promptly responsive to your emails and calls, guaranteeing effective and swift communication. You can count on us to be there for you every step of the way.
OUR PRICES
Our prices are visible on our website and include GST and travel time. There are no additional or hidden fees.
We arrive 20 minutes prior to the start of your booking time to set up and start performing promptly on time.
PAYMENT TERMS FOR FUNERAL SERVICES & WAKES
Given the often short notice nature of funerals and wakes, typically scheduled within 30 days, we kindly request payment in full at the time of booking. This procedure enables us to secure your booking promptly, ensuring our musicians’ availability for your chosen date and time.
PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE
We maintain comprehensive public liability insurance coverage of up to AUD 20 million, ensuring protection across Australia.
To reserve our string quartet, please complete our online booking form, and we’ll be in touch within 24 hours.
HIRE OUR LIVE CLASSICAL MUSICIANS TODAY
We know how deeply personal and significant the farewell of a loved one can be. It’s during these heartfelt moments that the profound beauty of a string quartet can bring a sense of peace, comfort, and reflection. To weave this music into your farewell ceremony, we invite you to secure your booking with String Musicians Australia.
We are here not only to provide music but to contribute to a meaningful tribute that honours your loved one’s life and memory. By sharing our passion for music with you, we hope to help create a lasting, comforting memory that resonates with you and all who attend. We appreciate the opportunity to be part of such an important occasion in your life.
Our Clients
Our Clients
Our Awards
4MBS Musica Viva Sid Page Memorial Prize Melbourne Abroad Travelling Scholarship Austral Salon Instrumental Competition Mietta Song Recital Award - Best Pianist Centenary Medal for Service to the Arts Margaret Sutherland Bursary Award Australia Council for the Arts Award E.V Llewellyn Memorial Scholarship Australian Music Foundation Award Dandenong Festival of Music & Arts Gold Medallion Sleath Scholarship Australian Concerto Competition Australian National Piano Award Fine Music Australia Young Performer Award Gisborne International Music Competition, NZ Musica Viva Grand Prize Geoffrey Parsons Award Dorcus McClean Travelling Scholarship Kendall National Violin Competition Geelong Advertiser Music Competition Atheneum Chamber Music Award Hephzibah Menuhin Competition Melbourne Research Scholarship Ian Potter Cultural Trust Grant Gwenn Prockter Cello Award McCaw-Bainton Scholarship Tait Memorial Trust Award Sid Curry Memorial Award Hattori Foundation Award Donald Hazelwood Award ABC Young Performer of the Year Award Atheneum Chamber Music Award Hephzibah Menuhin Competition Melbourne Research Scholarship Ian Potter Cultural Trust Grant Gwenn Prockter Cello Award McCaw-Bainton Scholarship Tait Memorial Trust Award Sid Curry Memorial Award Hattori Foundation Award Donald Hazelwood Award PPCA Foundation Award J Albert and Son Prize 4MBS Musica Viva Sid Page Memorial Prize Melbourne Abroad Travelling Scholarship Austral Salon Instrumental Competition Mietta Song Recital Award – Best Pianist Centenary Medal for Service to the Arts Margaret Sutherland Bursary Award Australia Council for the Arts Award E.V Llewellyn Memorial Scholarship Australian Music Foundation Award Dandenong Festival of Music & Arts Gold Medallion Australian Chamber Music Competition Asia Pacific Chamber Music Competition Macklin Bursary Award Banff International String Quartet Competition Sleath Scholarship Australian Concerto Competition Australian National Piano Award Fine Music Australia Young Performer Award Gisborne International Music Competition, NZ Musica Viva Grand Prize Geoffrey Parsons Award Dorcus McClean Travelling Scholarship Kendall National Violin Competition Geelong Advertiser Music Competition Eric Read Cello Award Tallis Bursary Award Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition