St. Louis String Quartet for Weddings and Special Events
About Project String Quartet
We are passionate about creating a beautiful and memorable soundtrack to your special event.
Our career musicians go beyond their classical conservatory training, specializing in performing vibrant and unique arrangements you won’t find anywhere else.
We collaborate closely with you to understand your vision and musical preferences, providing personalized recommendations based on our wide repertoire of wedding classics and contemporary favorites. Furthermore, we love to create new arrangements of your special requests that will make your day even more exceptional.
Project String Quartet is comprised of highly-trained musicians who hold advanced degrees from conservatories across the country, including The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory, Indiana University, Washington University in St. Louis, Northwestern University, The Curtis Institute of Music, and Yale University School of Music.
You’ll never forget the music that was playing as you walked down the aisle…
Request Pricing and Availability
Project String Quartet offers the finest musical entertainment for the modern bride and groom.
With years of experience and a proven track record of success, we know exactly what it takes to create a magical and unforgettable atmosphere on your special day.
How do I book Project String Quartet?
Send us a message with the details of your event, including the location, date, and timing. We’ll confirm the availability of our musicians and send you detailed pricing and ensemble offerings.
As we approach your big day, we will assist you in selecting the perfect music playlist. We are always happy to take special requests of songs that aren’t currently on our music repertoire lists and have them arranged for the ensemble of your choosing.
Enjoy and celebrate! You’ve worked hard planning your big day and it’s time for a joyful celebration, elevated by the rich sounds of a string quartet. Leave it to us to craft the perfect soundtrack as we make everlasting musical memories for you and your guests to enjoy. Rest easy knowing that our musicians will arrive at your venue dressed professionally, ready and in place to perform for your most cherished moments.
What People are Saying…
“Where do I begin?! I cannot say enough good things about PSQ. One of the things that was so important to me was having a pop quartet at our reception. When we decided on having our wedding reception in St. Louis, I was so surprised to find that there was one based there. Their vast song selection and their ability to learn new songs that we requested was a huge bonus for us. So many of our guests commented on how fun the vibe was with them playing. People also loved trying to guess the songs. I wish I had more events to be able to hire them for. If you are looking for a quartet, do not look any further than PSQ!”
“Project String Quartet did a wonderful job playing for my daughters wedding. I highly recommend them!!! Very friendly, professional and quick to be helpful and respond to questions.”
“Extremely professional and talented group. Communication was always prompt and thorough and they showed up early to my wedding ceremony to set up. I couldn’t believe how beautiful the music was. My guests are still raving about the songs they played and I can’t recommend Project String Quartet highly enough.”
“We were absolutely floored by their performance at our wedding. From the ceremony to the cocktail hour, PSQ was incredible performing both classical pieces and popular/classic renditions. We could not recommend them more.”
- Hanna and Rob
The Perfect Wedding Soundtrack
Performing string quartet renditions of your beloved film tunes is a great way to get your guests humming along while stirring up a sense of nostalgia.
Non, je ne regrette rien - Édith Piaf (INCEPTION Kick song) by Project String Quartet
Project String Quartet - Somewhere Over The Rainbow - PSQ Performs Judy Garland (4K)
Book the Right String Quartet for Your Wedding
You have a vision for your wedding or event, a vision that does not involve lifeless performances, awkward transitions, or bored guests!
If you’re searching for the best group to provide wedding ceremony music or special event entertainment, here are a few things to consider for before hiring your string quartet.
Hire a String Quartet with the Right Sound
Is the string quartet you’re considering capable of performances that consistently captivate your attention? What music does the string quartet specialize in, and does it match your taste?
Does their site have extensive videos and audio recordings that reflect a passion for vibrant and precise performances?
The music should sound like a polished, professional recording, and the string ensemble should play as one - in time, in tune, with dynamic musicality.
Has the string quartet put thought into the way they present themselves and their talents? Are they well dressed and well groomed, ready to enhance the ambiance and look of your wedding or event’s décor and styling?
Are the musicians highly trained?
Hiring a string quartet for your wedding adds an air of beauty and sophistication to your special day, but the players need to be well trained and experienced.
Learn a little about the training and background of the individual musicians in the group.
A quality string quartet will be composed of classically trained musicians who have dedicated their lives to the study and practice of their instruments.
Communication
Before booking your wedding or event music, have a conversation with the group’s coordinator about your vision.
If you have special requests for songs outside the string quartet’s repertoire, ask them if they’d be willing to learn them for you.
Here are several additional questions you may want to address before hiring your string quartet:
Does the group provide a lead musician who is responsible for coordinating with your event planner on the day-of for cues and timing?
Does the lead musician have the experience to tailor the musical transitions of the quartet’s performances so there is a seamless flow of events?
Do they offer the ability to customize playlists and are they able to guide your through making your music selections?
Check their Reviews
Reviews are critical for many people when hiring a string quartet for their wedding music or event music.
How was communication prior to the event date, how did the musicians conduct themselves during the event, and what did the guests think of the musical entertainment?
The Asking Price
A professional string quartet will charge a fee commensurate with their expertise, experience and quality. Does their asking price reflect the value their entertainment will provide to you and your guests?
Does the group stand behind their promises and offer a money-back guarantee so you have the peace of mind you need on your big day?
How Far in Advance Should I Book?
Booking a string quartet for your wedding is an important decision that should be made well in advance. We recommend booking a string quartet as early as possible, ideally around a year in advance. This timeframe allows you to secure the services of popular string quartets who tend to get booked quickly, especially during peak wedding season. By booking early, you have a better chance of finding the perfect string quartet that fits your musical preferences and budget.
Wedding Date: If you have a specific wedding date in mind, it's important to book early to ensure that your chosen string quartet is available on that day.
If you're looking for St. Louis based wedding and event musicians who not only care about exceptional musical performances, but also care about bringing your vision to life and making the whole planning process easy and fun, then you’ve found the right group for the job!
Meet Rebecca
Project String Quartet’s coordinator and violinist Rebecca Hamilton earned her Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School and has appeared with many pop, orchestra, jazz, and musical touring acts including Ariana Grande, Justin Timberlake, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Feinstein, and Marvin Hamlisch.
Rebecca is on the violin faculty at Washington University in St. Louis and Webster University. She has also recently joined the Chamber Project St. Louis which offers innovative concert experiences and St. Louis-inspired musical excellence.
Featured Musicians
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![Shannon Merciel Cellist]()
Shannon Merciel is a cellist and teacher based in St. Louis, Missouri. She is a dynamic performer appearing as an orchestral and chamber musician in the US and abroad. She serves as principal cello for the Missouri Symphony’s annual summer festival in Columbia, Missouri and was recently appointed to the cello section of the Omaha Symphony. She will join the MUNY Orchestra in St. Louis for the 2023 summer season. She also performs with the Saint Louis Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra, and St. Louis Chamber Soloists. She was recently a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and has performed with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Shannon is the cellist of Trio Doyenne, an international piano trio founded in Glasgow in 2017, who appears in concert regularly in the UK and Europe and has been broadcasted on the National Radio of Lithuania. Shannon enjoys mentoring younger generations of music students and maintains a private studio at Webster University's Community Music School and Suzuki Harmony in St. Louis. Shannon received her Bachelor of Music from the University of Missouri-Columbia and Master of Music from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She has been lucky to study with incredible teachers including Darry Dolezal, Alison Wells, and Edward Arron. Shannon plays on a c.1980 cello made by Harry J. Reeve in St. Louis, Missouri.
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![Graham Woodland Violin]()
Graham Woodland received his Bachelor of Music Degree in violin performance from the University of Missouri, where he was a student of Eva Szekely and studied chamber music with Julie Rosenfeld and Peter Miyamoto. He went on to receive his Master of Music Degree from the Hartt School, where he studied with Katie Lansdale and completed long-term Suzuki Teacher Training with Christie Felsing.
Additionally, Graham has completed Suzuki Teacher Training with Teri Einfeldt, Edward Kreitman, and Thomas Wermuth. He has appeared as soloist with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, University of Missouri Philharmonic, Hartt Contemporary Players, and the MU Chamber Soloists. He is currently Assistant Concertmaster of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra and performs with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra.
Previously, Graham was Principal second violin of the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and performed with the New Britain Symphony and Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra. He has been a winner and finalist in many competitions including the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Young Artist, Music Teacher’s National Association (MTNA), and the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.
He has participated in masterclasses with Paul Biss, Pinchas Zukerman, Robert Lipsett, Lawrence Dutton, and members of the Berlin Philharmonic. Summer festivals attended include the Innsbrook Institute Academy and Festival, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, and the Texas Music Festival.
A dedicated teacher, Graham’s students have earned leadership positions in the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Missouri All-State Orchestra, and have had success in local and state level competitions. He recently joined the Suzuki violin faculty at the Community Music School of Webster University in St. Louis.
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![Grace Eunhey Park Cellist Biography]()
Grace Eunhey Park, began playing cello at 10 years old. She is a cellist with a passion for ensemble performance. She is a member of Ensemble Secreta, Ariel Concert Series, and Project String Quartet.
She was a member of Peoria Symphony Orchestra and an associate member of the Chicago Civic Orchestra. She holds substitute positions with in the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Huntington (WV) Symphony Orchestra, and St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
In 2012 Grace won first prize in the Indianapolis Matinee Musical Competition, graduate string/woodwind level, and she received honorable mention in the Graduate Concerto Competition at Ball State University in 2011. She is a native of the Republic of Korea where she won the Catholic University of Daegu Competition in 2003, and her ensemble was awarded first prize in the Fringe Festival of the Tongyeong International Music Festival (TIMF) in 2006. Grace took second prize in the string division of Daesin University in 2013 in Korea. She was previously a member of the Daegu Opera Festival Orchestra in Korea. Grace was a cellist in the Orchestre de la Francophonie in Montreal, Canada, in 2013 and in 2008 attended the Festival Ensemble of the TIMF Academy in Korea on a full scholarship.
She earned an Artist Diploma from Ball State University, where she studied with Peter Opie with a full assistantship. Prior to entering Ball State, she completed her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from Yeung-nam University in Korea, where she studied with Seungzhin Lee.
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![Matt Pickart Violin and Viola Project String Quartet Bio]()
Matt Pickart is Director and Co-founder of Clazz International Music Festival in Arcidosso, Italy, and Assistant Professor of Music at Webster University in Saint Louis, where he serves as Director of Chamber Music and teaches violin, viola, improvisation, and music entrepreneurship.
He has the distinct honor and privilege of having performed at both Jazz at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Music Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. Other career highlights include performances with The Who, Barry Manilow on tour, The Vogues as concertmaster, and as principal violist for Bernadette Peters and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
As a soloist, he has appeared with orchestras in the USA, Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands. As the former violinist and vocalist of the Hot Club of Pittsburgh and a featured artist of Jazzstadt Stuttgart, Pickart has performed and recorded in multiple genres internationally.
Active in the Saint Louis area, Pickart has performed with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, Bach to the Future, Ariel Concert Series, and Chamber Project Saint Louis.
Mr. Pickart is lucky to count some of the great luminaries of the music world, among his teachers, such as: Sidney Harth (legendary American concertmaster); Yuri Gandelsman (former principal violist of Israel Philharmonic and violist with the Fine Arts Quartet); and Rodney Whitaker (bassist of Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.)
Prior to coming to Webster University, he served on the faculty of Beloit College, Michigan State University Community Music School, Duquesne University’s City Music Center, and University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Summer Music Clinic among numerous other programs. He is also currently on the faculty of Webster University’s Community Music School and Jazz Saint Louis Jazz Academy.
For further information, please visit www.mattpickart.com.
