About these Classical Ensembles

A classical ensemble can be a group of up to 6 musicians, in duos, trios, quartets or quintets. They will be perfect for all sorts of events, from providing elegant background entertainment at corporate events whilst businessmen clink their glasses, to the sound of a violin, cello or viola harmonising together as wedding guests share stories of the happy couple.

Classical ensembles are one of the most popular sources of entertainment and can be hired for a large variety of events. With 139 currently on the Last Minute Musicians directory, you certainly have plenty of amazing musicians to choose from!

"I just wanted to thank you so much for arranging the LSP Strings to be with us during last night’s event. Their work was fabulous and enjoyed by everyone, I received lots of positive comments and I personally thought they were great. They are hugely talented, friendly, nice guys who I would love to have the opportunity to invite along to an event again in the future. They looked great and they were very professional."

Eleanor's review of LSP Strings

Ideal for:

Thanks to their versatility, classical musicians can perform at almost any point during an event and can immediately change the atmosphere. For event organisers, it is also important to consider the sound and texture of different classical ensembles.

For example, a harp and flute duo may work well at a wedding whilst guests are drinking champagne but a string quartet could be desired to perform as the bride walks down the aisle. In this case, it would be recommended that a client compromises and hires a string quartet with a harpist and splits the musicians up to perform at different points. Not only would this allow more value for money, but also allows for the atmosphere to alter throughout the event. A classical ensemble is also suitable for more sombre events such as funerals.

When booking Classical Ensembles:

Clients should take some time to consider what sort of music they would like to hear during the event. Music is very personal, and by taking time to consider what songs are suitable the event will become more meaningful.

Classical ensembles often do not require amplification, so can perform almost anywhere without being required to be next to an electricity supply. Many ensembles will also be happy to learn specific songs for an event, as long as the requests aren't too outrageous and sent over with plenty of notice. Clients should, of course, listen to the musicians' audio samples before they put down a deposit.

Communication is key and those performing will ask the client exactly what they need to know before they arrive at the event. However, just in case, it’s probably still best to read the Last Minute Musicians booking a band checklist

Prices for Classical Ensembles:

Prices for classical ensembles will vary, depending on how long you would like them to perform for, where the event is and when it is. Usually, a string duo will begin at around £300, but will increase in price with additional members. If you're looking to cut down on travel costs, then use the "advanced search" feature to find classical music group near you.

About Classical Ensembles repertoire:

Common ensembles include variations of string quartets, consisting of violins, viola and cellos. They will often perform the works of great composers like Haydn, Beethoven and possibly even contemporary hits from the past 50 years such as Hey Jude and Viva la Vida. Classical ensembles can also adapt - some string quartets add a piano to become a piano quintet!

The Classical Ensembles featured on this page are all members of the Last Minute Musicians entertainment directory. Use the refine section at the top of this page to book live classical music close to you. Simply choose a county or enter a post code into the "available in" box to refine the listings to your local area. Click the "visit listing" button to see the full profiles of the individual Classical Ensembles. With over 3300 active listings you are sure to find the perfect entertainer, musician, band or entertainment service to make your event just perfect. Don`t forget you can use our online chat (below) to get instant help with your booking. More about Classical Musicians for Hire.