Gabe Lucas Piano Productions: Music Planning Assistance

Music Planning Assistance

How big should the band be?

Classical

Our 8-piece ensemble is our signature band. The instruments are:

4 string instruments (violin, violin, viola, cello)
2 woodwinds (flute, clarinet)
2 horns (trumpet, trumpet)

Our 8-piece ensemble can grow, with:

Additional strings
Additional horns
Additional woodwinds

However, rarely do events call for larger than an 8-piece classical ensemble. If you are planning a very large event, or you are considering a very large band, then you should contact us about the details.

Otherwise, you're probably wondering whether and by how much you should scale down our 8-piece band. Hopefully, the following table will help. In this table, we start with the large ensemble, and then for each subsequent row we take away one instrument. Although we scale back instruments in the order we normally recommend, each event is different, so your needs may be special.

For each band configuration, we indicate what we eliminated and why, the strengths and limitations of that ensemble, as well as the approximate cost for a 3 hour engagement. These cost estimates assume you do not want to pay to guarantee Gabe to personally play your event, and that you pay the full contracted amount upon signing. You should visit our complete price list for more detailed information on prices.

Band

What we eliminated and why

Pros & cons

Approx. cost (3 hours)

8-piece band

Strings	Woodwinds	Horns
Violin Violin Viola Cello	Flute Clarinet	Trumpet Trumpet

Optimum size classical ensemble.
Provides a beautiful, full sound unlike any simple string trio or quartet.
Trumpets add both excitement and a regal flare
Woodwinds add warmth and sophistication
Expensive band, but well worth the cost.

$3,480

7-piece band

Strings	Woodwinds	Horns
Violin Violin Viola Cello	Flute Clarinet	Trumpet

Trumpet...With one trumpet, the ensemble still retains the brass effect.

Having all three types of instruments, this ensemble is still very versatile.
However, with only one trumpet, there are no harmonies within the brass section.

$3,045

6-piece band - no brass

Strings	Woodwinds	Horns
Violin Violin Viola Cello	Flute Clarinet

Trumpet...The only choice, if you don't want brass!

With the two woodwind instruments, this is still a very nice ensemble that has a much richer sound than a pure string ensemble.
The loss of the brass, however, eliminates an entire dimension of the band.

$2,610

6-piece band - with brass

Strings	Woodwinds	Horns
Violin Violin Viola Cello		Trumpet Trumpet

Woodwinds...This is a better idea than having one woodwind and one brass, for the lone woodwind instrument will be overpowered by the trumpet.

Keeping the brass preserves the regality qualities of the band.
The loss of the woodwinds, however, eliminates an entire dimension of the band.

$2,610

5-piece band - with brass

Strings	Woodwinds	Horns
Violin Violin Viola Cello		Trumpet

Trumpet...You don't want to weaken the core string foundation by eliminating a violin, so it's best to only have one trumpet.

This ensemble still maintains some special qualities through the contribution of the trumpet.
However, with only one trumpet, there are no harmonies within the brass section.

$2,175

5-piece band - no brass

Strings	Woodwinds	Horns
Violin Violin Viola Cello	Flute

Clarinet...It's a toss-up between eliminating the flute or the clarinet, so often times this decision comes down to your musical tastes.

This ensemble still maintains some special qualities through the contribution of the flute.
However, with only the flute, there are no harmonies within the woodwind section.

$2,175

5-piece band - all brass

Strings	Woodwinds	Horns
		Trumpet Trumpet Trombone Trombone Tuba

Have you considered an all brass ensemble? It has one of the most beautiful sounds ever, and it is very uncommon...making it an excellent choice for someone who likes to be different.
The only downside is that it's nothing like a string quartet, if that is what your guests are expecting.

$2,175

4-piece band - all strings

Strings	Woodwinds	Horns
Violin Violin Viola Cello

Flute...Your only choice, if you want all strings!

The string quartet is one of the most common selections for classical ensembles. A great deal of music has been arranged for string quartet.
However, this configuration is almost too common, to the point of being overdone.

$1,740

4-piece band - with a woodwind

Strings	Woodwinds	Horns
Violin Viola Cello	Flute

Violin...The flute can play the first (or second) violin parts.

This is an excellent quartet ensemble with a unique flare.
It is less traditional than a string quartet, which sometimes guests expect to see.

$1,740

4-piece band - all brass

Strings	Woodwinds	Horns
		Trumpet Trumpet Trombone Tuba

Trombone...It's best to keep the two trumpets, which play the melody and primary harmony.

Like the brass quintet, this is a wonderful option for someone who wants anything but a string quartet.
And again, the primary downside is that it's nothing like a string quartet, if that is what your guests are expecting.

$1,740

3-piece band

Strings	Woodwinds	Horns
Violin Viola Cello

Violin...It's best to have three different string instruments in the ensemble.

Almost as much music has been arranged for the string trio, as has for the string quartet.
The loss of the second violin is fairly significant, in terms of melodic harmonization.

$1,305

2-piece band

Strings	Woodwinds	Horns
Violin Violin

Viola and violin...if you're only going to have two strings, we'd suggest violin and cello.

Violin and cello are contrasting instruments that harmonize well together.
This is not a very powerful ensemble, in terms of volume and complexity of arrangements.

$870