Frequently Asked Questions:
 
You look so young! Do you have enough experience to do our event?
Yes! We have given hundreds of performances and we have the experience to create the perfect music for your event.Because we are all from the same family, we have been practicing almost every day FOR YEARS. We have attended music camps, master classes and meet weekly with our coach so when we play together, we intuit what the others are thinking - we play as one! It's unlikely that any other quartet in the area has as much experience performing together as we have.People tell us there is energy in our playing that is exciting. Please visit our "Venues" page to see that we've performed in many different situations and have had the opportunity to serve a wide variety of clients. These wonderful people are our biggest fans and are our best advertisement. We hope you will enjoy reading some of their comments on our "Recommendations" page.
 

What size ensemble and what instruments will play?

Most often we perform as a string quartet (two violins, a viola and a cello) but the instrumentation and style(s) of music can be personalized specifically for your situation. We have the ability to use flute, viola, cello, one, two, or three violins and voices. Piano can be included without additional charge in some situations and is contracted separately in others.
 

Are you available for (Name your type of request)?

Probably! One of the most gratifying aspects of playing in the ensemble is to have a part in creating the perfect atmosphere for many different types of occasions.

 
Do you play for weddings?
YES! Visit our Weddings page.

When should we book the Ensemble?

Because Highstrung! String Quartet and Ensembles are often booked many months in advance; we strongly recommend that you reserve our group early. However, unlike the caterer, florist and others you may be engaging, each member of Highstrung is actively involved in various activities for which winter dates may not be announced until September and summer dates until long after Christmas. For this reason when we book more than six months in advance, it's always with the understanding that it's impossible to guarantee availability that far in the future. This will be true of any string ensemble you will want to choose for your event; we may be the only ones who are honest enough to tell you.

Conversely, a family group has its advantages! When you contact us, we can instantly assess our situation and can usually give you an answer within the hour. Even if you think it's too late to schedule your event, contact us. Sometimes a date just doesn't book. Other times we have had a date reserved for months only to have a last minute cancellation. Suddenly we are, quite literally, all dressed up with no place to go! .

 

Fees and Contract:

Highstrung! recognizes that each event is unique and requires special thought and attention to detail. We will work with you to customize our service to best suit your needs. To check availability, please e-mail with the date, location, start time and length of performance. We’ll provide a quote which is good for 30 days after which prices and terms are subject to change.Do not delay. Available times often fill quickly!

We will send a contract to sign and return with a $150 deposit and put a 10 day hold on the time of your event - which becomes permanent upon receipt of the contract and deposit. We don't want you to be disappointed! If you have decided your date, please, please, do not delay this step!

Because we are all taking very expensive private lessons and meet weekly with our coach, our overhead is very, very, high. It's challenging to keep our rates competitive but our heart's desire is to make string ensemble music affordable for all. We keep our expenses down in several ways. We don't have an agent and we hire nothing out. What you see is us! David and Eric do all of the promotional materials and web design.. When you receive a letter, an e-mail or speak with someone on the phone - it is always a Knopp - usually Elizabeth or Mom (Aletha). Joshua and Dad run the errands and keep the books. Whomever is free folds brochures and burns the CDs one at a time on the computer. The entire clan will read your e-mails and collaborate on the plans for your occasion. We are low tech, labor intensive, and family friendly. You work directly with us which keeps our fees affordable and our relationship with you personal.

Finally, we are a family who enjoy being together. As often as schedules permit, our parents and/or sibling(s) accompany us, acting as managers at no additional charge. They help with many details to facilitate our part in your event running smoothly. Rather than charge extra for this service, we've deliberately kept our fees as low as possible to offset any extra expense our clients might incur accommodating the size of our team. This is important to us since it allows our family to be together weekends and holidays!

Amazingly, we've had clients so pleased with our music and service that they've added a large "tip" so that our compensation was the amount they had budgeted. Of course, we were elated!.

Rates for the string quartet start at $400 (duo, trio and quintet are also available)
 
Will you discount your fees or donate your services (play without charge) for our worthy cause?

Reduced rates for civic groups, churches, non-profits and close-to-East-Portland-smaller events may sometimes be negotiated. Please ask for our "Bartering Suggestions" worksheet which offers many ideas to help you to submit an offer that you believe would be mutually beneficial. We are creative! If you are willing to "think out of the box" we can very likely play for you. This is especially true if yours is a daytime function in the very near future. We are reticent to book at reduced prices very far in advance unless the negotiation is very attractive. It is our desire to serve our community so don't hesitate to contact us.

Highstrung! is pleased and delighted to be able to regularly donate our time for events supporting the Portland Rescue Mission, Shepherd's Door Women's Shelter, The Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestras, Christian Family Adoptions and several others.

Several times a week the phone rings with a request that we donate our services for a worthy cause.. Though our hearts are deeply touched and we wish we could play for every one of them, we have come to realize that we have overreached what we can offer to do entirely Pro Bono.
 

Do you play for worship services?

Yes. Several of our musicians are quite adept at playing for both traditional and contemporary Christian worship services. They are able to play from scores or lead sheets. For this reason, and because they have hearts that worship, our musicians are often engaged for recording sessions and as “pick-up” musicians for Christian conferences and similar events.
 

How do the musicians dress?

Our goal is for our ensembles to present the highest quality in every aspect of our presentation.. Highstrung! has put a great deal of thought, energy and money into creating a professional appearance. Our standard attire is black tuxedos for the men and either all black or black with accent colors to match your occasion for Elizabeth. Outdoor summer weddings may require cooler Professional attire. We have more casual options as well. Let us know what is most suitable for your event.
 

Will you play outdoors?

Yes. We love to play outdoors. Please contact us for details.

 

What do you require at the venue?

The ensemble requires an area at least 8’ X 8’. We cannot play well without enough space. If there is any doubt at all, we will want to do a walk-through at the facility prior to booking. We can almost always work out a creative alternative but we want to be sure to avoid last minute surprises. It is important to place the musicians out of walkways and in a space with sufficient lighting. We arrive 20-30 minutes ahead of time (free of charge) and work with the people at the venue to insure that everything is set up properly.

String ensembles customarily play without a sound system because we perform on fine concert instruments which are capable of filling a concert hall with sound. If the group is well placed in the center of an event, on stage, or in an area with good acoustical qualities, the ensemble should be heard. A wood dance floor placed over carpet will improve acoustics as will a raised platform. We would recommend using both if they are available. Should you choose to amplify, it would be up to you to provide a sound system. Otherwise, we supply everything needed for the performance.

 

Do you teach private music lessons?

Yes we do! Within our family group, we teach piano, flute, violin, viola and cello. Elizabeth and David are currently enrolled in the SAA (Suzuki Teachers of Americas) Long Term Teacher's Training Degree Program with Martha Shackford, a Master Suzuki Teacher Trainer. We would love to work with your students! We offer both Susuki and Traditional private and semi-private music lessons. Please contact us for more information.

For a consultation or to book your event, please Contact Us. Aletha or Elizabeth will return your e-mail or phone call.