Soloists & Ensembles

Soloists

Harp, Accordion, Piano (keyboard), Violin, Cello, Guitar, Vocalists (Soprano, Tenor). Classical, light classical, opera arias, standards and ballads, and Broadway selections.

Duos

Grand Piano & Violin

Perfect for an intimate, smaller dinner or cocktail party. Light classical, Viennese waltzes, popular ballads, opera arias and Broadway show tunes. Music stand and lights supplied by violinist.

Amalfi Duo (Violin & Guitar)

A refreshing combination of instruments whose sound is a beautiful blend of classical guitar and violin. The duo performs selections from the Baroque and Classical eras as well as popular and Broadway repertoire for weddings, receptions, private parties.

Trios

Continental Trio (Violin, Bass & Accordion)

Grand piano, keyboard, or guitar can be substituted for accordion. Strolling is possible with violin, accordion and guitar. Repertoire includes Continental music, including French and Italian selections, Viennese waltzes, Latin favorites, Broadway show tunes, including Andrew Lloyd Weber, and American popular classics of Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kerns, and others.

Ambiance (2 Violins & Guitar)

This versatile ensemble is popular for small and medium size wedding ceremonies and receptions. Its repertoire spans most all of classical music periods from 16th Century through Debussy, Albeniz and Satie of the early 20th Century; also performs popular standards in a light jazz style - Gershwin, Cole Porter and Broadway show tunes.

Fresca (Violin, Mandolin & Guitar)

Fresca adds a festive, upbeat background for receptions and dinners up to 300. Characteristic of this versatile ensemble is its charming, fresh blend of three contrasting stringed instruments--violin, mandolin and guitar. Fresca's repertoire includes baroque, classical, light classical, and opera selections. The trio also plays the pop classics of Gershwin, Cole Porter and others, by a simple change of two of its three instruments--mandolin to guitar, and guitar to electric bass.

Suavo (Violin, Cello & Guitar)

Featuring violin, guitar and cello this versatile trio performs repertoire from the baroque and classical eras. It can also change the mood of an event with a wide selection of Continental, Latin, Broadway and light jazz standards. Suavo is perfect for weddings, receptions and corporate parties where size does not exceed 350 guests. Amplification is available for larger parties.

Other String Trios

The following two classical string trios are comparable in sound and repertoire to a string quartet, but are not as full sounding as the quartet, which has a fourth instrument. String trios are appropriate for smaller weddings, private parties and corporate events where space is a limiting factor.

Elan (2 Violins & Cello)

Elan is a popular trio whose versatile repertoire includes composers of baroque and classical eras, including selections by J. S. Bach, Vivaldi, Corelli, Boccherini, Haydn and Mozart. Light classical, contemporary and popular selections (including Irving Berlin, Broadway and Beatles) are available as well. Elan features two like instruments (violins) , and a contrasting tenor-bass instrument (cello), to complete its characteristic sound.

Trio Alto (Violin, Viola, Cello)

Trio Alto is similar in sound and repertoire to Elan. The primary difference between these two trios is that Trio Alto includes a viola in place of one of Elan's two violins. The viola is slightly larger than the violin, and adds a mellow midrange between the violin and cello, lending its contrasting, darker voice to complete the trio's overall sound.

String Quartet

String Quartet (2 Violins, Viola & Cello)

This popular ensemble for weddings is also appropriate for corporate events where classical and light classical music is requested for a more intimate setting. (Strolling is an option, without cello). The repertoire includes, Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Corelli, Schubert, Mozart, and an extensive popular music library. Option: A flute may be substituted for one of the violins.

Larger Ensemble

Bellezza (9 Pieces)

Bellezza is a nine-piece chamber ensemble consisting of two violins, viola, cello, bass, guitar, flute/clarinet, French horn & trumpet. Performing works from the Baroque and Classical eras, Bellezza is well suited for large scale weddings where a large ensemble sound is desired. Instruments may be added (e.g. oboe, harpsichord, etc.) for contrasting instrumental color, and increased sound presence. Bellezza can provide the appropriate repertoire and impact for weddings and celebrations on a grand scale.

Continental Dance Combos
Light Music For After Dinner Dancing

4 Piece Combo

Features two violins, bass (w/Hi-hat for dancing) & accordion (or grand piano, keyboard, or guitar). Strolling and/or light after-dinner dancing is available with this basic band. Strolling repertoire generally includes: Selections by Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Continental selections, Latin favorites, Viennese waltzes and Broadway show tunes.

5 Piece Combo

Two violins, clarinet/sax, bass/hi-hat, and piano (Baby Grand or Keyboard). Great Swing sound; excellent for dancing or cocktails and dinner background.

6 Piece Combo

Two violins, viola, bass, guitar & accordion (or Keyboard) Jazzy, Continental feel; very danceable, strolling possible.

7 Piece Combo

Two Violins, viola, bass, guitar, accordion (or keyboard), & clarinet/sax Up-tempo swing or soft dancing music. Cocktails, dinner and light-dancing with bigger sound, for larger guest count. Still capable of being mobile and intimate.

10 Piece Combo

Same as the 6-piece combo with four added strings, which could be four violins or one viola & three violins. For a Swing feel, it is possible to add a clarinet or sax.

Classic San Francisco Strolling Violins

Starlite Strings Strolling Violins performing for a holiday party on the grand stairs in the Rotunda of San Francisco City Hall

Classical Strings (10 Pieces)

Eight violins, viola & bass (piano or accordion is optional). While the reference to "classical" music is generally relative to the music of Bach, Beethoven, et al, the term is applicable in a broad sense to an ensemble of all strings. This ensemble performs the typical strolling repertoire (Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Broadway, Continental, Latin, etc.) as well as Viennese waltzes, Andrea Bocelli (Time to Say Goodbye or Sogno) arias, Mozart (e.g., part of the first movement of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik) and others. For special musical requests, not within the standard strolling repertoire, advanced preparation and rehearsal, special arrangements, or other special considerations may be required. Such items are quoted separately. Note: Depending on the complexity, music stands and lights may be required where memorization is impractical.

Starlite Strings performing at Opus One Winery in the Napa Valley

Starlite Strings (13 to 17 Pieces)

Typical instrumentation: Eleven violins (viola can be substituted for one or more of the violins), with grand piano or accordion and bass. Also, available is the all-string ensemble described above (10-piece) plus two violins and viola to create the thirteen-piece ensemble. A beautiful and impressive performance on stages or lining staircase as seen at San Francisco City Hall. Impressive long lines and formations, perfect for larger receptions or dinners.