Cellists for hire near me

Hire a cellist to enhance your event with beautiful, resonant music. Find cellists for hire near you, with profiles, pricing, and FAQs to help you book with confidence.

Where do you need a Cellist?

FAQ about hiring a Cellist

On average, professional cellists cost $200-$300 for an hour. The exact price can vary depending on your location, travel distance, years of experience, any special song requests, and other specific event details.

Cellists are often classically trained and well versed in a variety of classical pieces. However, some cello players perform other styles of music as well, such as pop, country, jazz, and even classic rock songs. Prior to booking, be sure to let your musician know what kind of sound you want for your wedding or special event.

If you’re looking for a fuller sound, inquire with your cellist about ensemble options. Many solo cello players can join up with other violin or viola players to create a string trio or string quartet. The cost will be higher but it will allow for more music styles and arrangements.

Most musicians, including cellists, typically play in “sets” of 30-45 minutes. If your event is several hours long, you will want to discuss the length of their cello performance as well as the break times they’ll need in between sets.

Exact performance lengths will often vary based on the event. For a wedding ceremony, the cellist might just play a song or two for the wedding party and bridal entrances and leave. For other events, such as a cocktail hour or a corporate event, they might play background music throughout the entirety of the event.

Cellists play the cello sitting down, so they need they will need a chair in order to perform. They will also often have sheet music and a music stand if they don’t have their setlist committed to memory. Some cellists will bring their own chair so they can ensure it will be comfortable, but they may ask you to provide one instead. If they do, the chair should have no arms and a flat and firm seat.

Most cellos are played acoustically so electrical power is not a concern unless the venue is large enough to require mics. Since each professional cellist is unique, ensure the day goes smoothly by asking your musician exactly what they need from you.

Cellists are often booked for a variety of events. They are especially suited for occasions that call for a more relaxed atmosphere. Weddings are probably most common as a cellist is one of the most affordable performer options for ceremony music. You can also book a cello player to provide background music at your corporate event, proposal, fundraiser, or dinner party.

Most cellists have a large repertoire of songs for you to choose from, including popular classical music tunes and traditional wedding music. However, with enough notice, they can usually learn something new for your special event if you have a specific song request. Keep in mind this may result in an additional charge for the time they must spend learning the new music before the event.

If you are hiring a solo cellist rather than a full ensemble, you won’t have to reserve a whole lot of space for them at your venue. Allow enough room for them, their chair, their instrument, and possibly a music stand. You should also consider where your guests might be moving around throughout the event and ensure your cellist doesn’t feel crowded while performing.

Cellists around Peekskill, NY

Featured

The Music Boutique

5.0 (88)
67 Verified bookings

  • Cornwall, NY
  • Pianist / Cellist
  • Contact for rates

Christina A. said “So happy we had The Music Boutique play for our wedding ceremony! Scott was incredible to work with—he was so organized and helped set up a very special playlist for our ceremony. We couldn’t be... ”
Featured

The J.M. Chamber Players

5.0 (13)
8 Verified bookings

  • New York City, NY
  • String Quartet / Cellist
  • Contact for rates

Rhonda H. said “The JM chamber players were very professional. They showed up on time, played the songs they were contracted for, and their music was excellent. I was very happy with them and would use them for my... ”
Featured

Xinou Wei Strings

5.0 (47)
Top Performer
28 Verified bookings

  • New York City, NY
  • Violinist / Cellist
  • $300 and up

Samantha L. said “Just wonderful for wedding and a pleasure to work with! Highly recommend!! ”
Featured

Stephanie Strings

5.0 (138)
91 Verified bookings

  • New York City, NY
  • Violinist / Cellist
  • Contact for rates

Kimberly B. said “Thank you so much for the phenomenal performance at our outdoor wedding in DC this past weekend. You accommodated all of our requests and made our day that much more special. Thank you Stephanie! ”
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Cellists for hire across the U.S. and Canada:

United States

Canada

Why book Cellists

Cello music is a beautiful entertainment choice for any occasion, from corporate events and dinner parties to wedding ceremonies and cocktail hours. You can hire a solo cello player or inquire about other configurations. Many cellists have a network of musicians to build various duo options or string ensembles with violin and viola players added in.

When booking a cellist, be sure to browse profiles to see photos, watch videos, or listen to audio samples. This will help you learn more about their setlist and music style. Then read reviews from past clients to see if they will be easy to work with. Once you find a cellist you want to hire, we highly recommend getting the details in writing with a contract or booking agreement. When you book through GigSalad, your payments are made securely through the site and are protected by our Worry-Free Guarantee!

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Cellist pricing

The best way to get accurate pricing is to request free, personalized quotes from Cellists near you.

To give you a ballpark, we’ve used past GigSalad quotes to get average nationwide pricing for hiring a Cellist.

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