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Weddings

About

Elegant music when the Occasion calls for a Classical touch!

Serving the Boston and beyond since 1997, Classical Occasions has been voted Best of Wedding Picks. We specialize in classical music including strings, piano, vocals, guitar, and many other instruments. We also offer the smooth, cool sounds of jazz, and special requests such as bagpipes and accordion.

Juilliard-trained Don Krishnaswami founded Classical Occasions in 1997 with a vision to creating a synergy between two things that he holds to be of paramount importance: the excellence of top professional music making and equally professional, attentive customer service. Our stellar reviews from many delighted clients show that vision has been realized.

Each client inquiry begins with a personal phone call from Don that establishes a one-on-one relationship from the beginning, and is followed by an ongoing attentiveness to client satisfaction together with polished professionalism at every point, from that initial phone call to the music at the engagement itself.

The artists of Classical Occasions are hand-picked and always of the highest caliber. They have an impressive array of solo, orchestral, and chamber music experience, performing with Boston's finest ensembles, such as the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops, Boston Ballet Orchestra, Boston Lyric Opera, and Handel and Haydn Society.

Bringing the elegance and excellence of high-quality live music to your event at rates that are within your reach is of great importance to us. That's why we will always work with you to find the best price to balance your budget with your musical needs.

We understand that of equal importance to high quality music, is attentive and thoughtful client service. That means that we will treat your event as if it is the one and only one on our calendar.

From initial contact and planning right through to the music at the event itself, we're certain that you'll feel this individual care in all of your contacts with us. And Classical Occasions offers free unlimited, no obligation telephone consultation, during which you may ask all the questions you'd like to, even if you're just gathering information.

Hiring musicians is a very new thing for many people; we understand that, and we are here to help make it easier for you!

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Frequently asked questions

What is the starting price for wedding ceremony music?

$400

What is the price of your most popular wedding package?

$1,300

Which of the following are included in the price of your most popular wedding package?

Ceremony Music
Cocktail Hour Music
Learn New Songs

What ceremony music arrangements can you provide?

Acapella
Brass - Trio
Brass - Quartet
Brass - Quintet
Instrumental - Solo
Instrumental - Duo
Instrumental - Trio
String - Trio
String - Quartet
String - Quintet
Soloist / Vocalist

How many musicians are in your band(s)?

1 - 3
4 - 6

What instruments does your group play?

Cello
Drums
Flute
Guitar
Harp
Organ
Piano
Trumpet
Saxophone
Viola
Violin

What services do you provide?

Ceremony Music
Cocktail Hour Music
Instrumentals
Learn New Songs
Reception Music
Rehearsal Dinner Music
Vocals
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Reviews of Classical Occasions

5.0 out of 5 rating
5.0 out of 5 rating
8 Reviews
100% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    5 out of 5 rating
Rebecca
Rebecca R. Sent on 07/31/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Simply perfect!

The string trio was perfect and Don accommodated my last minute change in processional music and found me a piper a few days before our wedding. Don was so understanding and learned the new piece of music with his trio and played it beautifully. I would highly recommend Classical Occasions!!
E
Emily Sent on 07/16/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Wedding- Welcome and Ceremony Music

Don was wonderful to work with. I greatly appreciated his willingness for Classical Occasions to play the range of songs I envisioned for our welcoming and ceremony music. We hired a quintet. To have live music is a true gift on any day, but it was especially meaningful for our wedding. Thank you!
M
Morgan Sent on 08/30/2018
5 out of 5 rating
Don was fantastic to work with! He was easy to communicate with and he accommodated some specific music requests I had for the big day with ease. I was so grateful for his expertise and the level of attention he gave to prepping for our ceremony. He and the rest of the string quartet came fully prepared for the whole ceremony, and they made our wedding sound absolutely beautiful!
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Awards

8

Team

Don Krishnaswami
Don Krishnaswami
Founder, General Manager

Classical Occasions' Founder and General Manager Don Krishnaswami is an active performing violinist and violist in the Boston area. An orchestral and chamber musician, he has toured domestically from coast to coast with the Boston Pops, including appearances at major music festivals such as Tanglewood, Ravinia, Wolf Trap, and Interlochen. He has also performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Lyric Opera Orchestra, Boston Ballet Orchestra, the Orchestra of St. Luke's, and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

Highlights of other engagements have included the North American Tour of Star Wars in Concert, produced by Lucasfilm, Ltd., and appearances as back-up musician with such jazz and pop giants as Mel Torme, Cleo Lane, Natalie Cole, Sarah Brightman, The Moody Blues, Aerosmith, Barry Manilow, Joni Mitchell, The Irish Tenors, Donny Osmond, Smokey Robinson, K.D. Lang, Linda Ronstadt, Peter Cetera (Chicago), Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Anne Murray, Deep Purple, and Earth, Wind and Fire.

In chamber music, he has collaborated with current and former members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, including as guest artist with the Walden Chamber Players, and has been a core member of the Art of Music Chamber Players. He is also a founding member of the LiveARTS String Quartet and South Coast Chamber Music Society. Radio appearances have included Classical Performances with Richard Knisely on WGBH Radio, Boston; Paine Webber’s Traditions on WNCN Radio, New York; and Listening Room with Bob Sherman on WQXR Radio, New York.

Don holds a Master of Music degree and a Bachelor of Music degree from the prestigious and world-renowned Juilliard School.

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