going to the chapel
weddings and receptions

rates

FEE SCHEDULE

FOR KEYBOARD SERVICES

See Auxiliary Fees below for additional musicians' rates.


 

Keyboardist's Fees
piano

Choose the option that suits your needs & fits your budget

1

Ceremony

 

 

$250

2

Ceremony

plus Rehearsal

 

$300

3

Ceremony

with Consultation*

 

$300

4

Ceremony

with Consultation*

and Rehearsal

$350

All 4 options include planning & refining your wedding program by email, fax and phone.

*The Consultation Session is an in-person meeting, up to one hour, where I play pieces for you to audition.

PRICES EFFECTIVE AS OF 10/3/08

AUXILIARY FEES:

• Weddings more than 20 miles from Brentwood will incur a base $30 travel expense fee plus 30¢ per mile. This applies to both rehearsal and ceremony. I calculate mileage using Mapquest.

• Extra rehearsals to accomodate soloists chosen by you will incur a fee per session, the amount based on travel and rehearsal time.

• If an instrument is not available at your site, a $100 setup fee is charged for transporting my own keyboard, amplifier and speaker system.

• As your keyboardist, I can subcontract vocalists and instrumentalists with no additional management charge. If hired solely as your consultant and planner, I will seek out the best musicians at the best price for you. Professional Nashville musicians on average get a minimum of $200 per event (rehearsal is extra).

bagpipesBagpipers generally start at $250. Why so high? A good set of great highland pipes will run you $2,000. And you don't even want to know what kilts and other genuine tartan clothing costs!

harpHarpists' fees usually start around $300, due to the immense chore of transporting their bulky instrument. Plus concert harps cost around $10,000 and can easily go up to $20K!


PARTIES

Rehearsal Dinners, Receptions, Christmas Parties, Birthdays, Showers...

• I am also available to play piano at the rate of $100 per hour. I play a variety of styles (pop, jazz, light rock, CCM, oldies, etc.) covering several decades, and am happy to accomodate special requests. Want a Celtic band or a jazz combo? I work with many Nashville musicians and can coordinate any type of ensemble you desire for your event.

Think these prices are high? Read about WEDDING COSTS.

Retainer: 50% Deposit

After reviewing my services and rates, and confirming my availability for your date, submit the Reservation Form to hire me. Then mail a check for half of our agreed-upon fee to my home address (below), or use PayPal:
Acceptance Mark
MEMBERS: Send payment using bank transfer, eCheck or PayPal balance only (sorry...NO credit cards!) to 88keys@pianomail.net
Non-members: Click the logo for information on opening an account. You can also request that an invoice be sent to you.

Cancellation Policy

Refund of deposit will be honored in the event a wedding or party is called off due to extenuating circumstances, less any fees for consideration of time or effort expended upon the client's behalf, such as email wedding planning, consultation sessions, etc.



Your deposit constitutes a contract between us. The balance is payable at the rehearsal. If there is no rehearsal--or I am not playing for the rehearsal-- I request the balance prior to the ceremony. You don't need to be bothered with one more detail on the wedding day itself! If you have a coordinator, let her handle the finances--it's part of her job.

If paying by check, mail to:

James A. Weinberg
Going to the Chapel
520 Mansion Drive
Brentwood TN 37027-5903
Consultation/Planning

If you choose the package that includes an in-person consultation session, we will schedule a meeting at the organ or piano to audition pieces from my repertoire. Otherwise you may listen to recordings and inform me of your choices by phone or email. Couples frequently elect to have me choose their music.

The couple can greatly assist the process prior to the consultation by listening to and identifying the style of music which most appeals to their tastes. Specific composers (like "Bach/Gounod") and periods (like "Romantic") and names of works (such as "Ave Maria") will greatly aid the organist and make the consultation session more productive. See Repertoire for suggested pieces with sound samples. You may also bring sheet music of favorite songs, tapes, or programs from other weddings when we meet.

If you are having your ceremony in church, use discretion when requesting love songs and other secular music, keeping in mind the sacred nature of the event and place. Your minister or wedding coordinator might offer guidance on this subject as well. Rules defining restrictions vary from church to church, so ultimately these decisions should be made in conjunction with the officiating minister. If your ceremony is at a mansion, country club, garden, etc.—or simply less religious in tone— I'm very open to non-traditional styles of music.

Rehearsal

Q: "Is it important for musicians to attend the rehearsal?"

A: Brides often ask me if I think attending their rehearsal is essential. Of course I understand the desire to save a few dollars, but this may not be the best corner to cut! The bridesmaids' processional, bridal march, and recessional are very important to walk through in real time. This familiarizes everyone with their musical cues and allows me to time the specific events and determine how many measures to play or whether repeats are necessary. Your wedding coordinator should also be aware of the tunes being used for such things as the seating of the mothers and the assembling of the groomsmen at the altar. Practicing entrances and exits at the rehearsal always makes for a smoother ceremony!

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