Elegant Ensembles recently celebrated 23 years of business with over 3000 Chicago area performances. We have spent several years putting together a roster of top-notch musicians who are not only some of the most experienced wedding performers, but also some of the most passionate music makers in the Chicagoland area. Our owner, April Berkowski is also a professional violinist who has personally performed at over 1500 weddings. With her extensive first hand experience, she understands all the aspects of planning and executing a successful music performance. Additionally, her knowledge of appropriate song selections, religious and secular ceremony protocol and various ethnic ceremonial traditions is quite extensive. For Wedding ceremony performances, we generally recommend that you have the musicians start about 15 minutes prior to the ceremony start time so that your guests will enter in to the ceremony area hearing the lovely sounds of our performing ensemble. We make sure that the pre-service music sets the proper tone for the ceremony to follow. Please see the below for a summary of some of our most beloved ceremony music ensembles: String Quartet (2 violins, viola and cello) ….Traditional lush, rich sounds from Bach to the Beatles….depending upon your taste! A versatile repertoire of Classical, Opera, Waltzes, Tangos, Ethnic, Movie, Theater, Pop and Rock music. Perfect for weddings of any size. String Trios or Flute-Violin-Cello Trio or Piano-Violin-Cello …Very comparable to the String Quartet in repertoire…graceful string sounds on a lower budget with special arrangements just for three instruments. The instrument missing from the quartet is not lost…but instead intertwined between the remaining three instruments. Great for weddings of 175 or less guests. Nice with added pianist or trumpet player. Duets: Violin-Guitar, Flute-Guitar or Violin-Piano, Piano & Trumpet or Flute-Piano …Duets are simple yet well-designed ensembles whose players express music in a small but moving way. They are usually acoustic instruments which are amplified (if necessary) so that up to 250 guests can hear the performance. Their song list includes many traditional classical favorites, and just about any style of music including a much more vast option of light rock, pop and music of today. Harp & Harp Ensembles …This glorious instrument is not only a stunning visual for your guests, but also a calming, comforting sound that carries very well both indoors and outside(on a flat surface). The repertoire of a harpist(and of harp ensembles) is very similar to that of the above duets. Utilized for ceremonies, cocktail music and dinner performances, your guests will be enamored with the grace and style of such a lovely sight and sounds. Brass & Brass Ensembles …Magnificent in majesty, the royal blend of brass instruments is unlike no other. There is a noble romanticism behind a proper ensemble of horns that will bring an impressive presence of grace and power to the space in which it is heard. The traditional baroque and classical pieces of a stately wedding are best showcased by this ensemble which can be hired with either four or five instruments. Soloists …If you are looking for just one musician…we can certainly provide that, but only recommend hiring the following types of instrumentalists when they will be performing as a solo artist: A la Carte …Get creative and put together the ensemble of your dreams! We have the ability to put together an endless amount of other ensembles for you, and will be happy to guide you in what instruments will (and won't) work together. Here are a few ideas: •Guitar, Violin & Cello •String Trio Trumpet •Pianist/Vocalist String Trio (very nice for Catholic weddings!) •Brass Ensemble Organist