FAQs

  • Please contact the Grand Central Station Band by filling out the contact page of our website. We will get back to you on our availability for your date.

  • We are based out of Albany, New York, however, each situation is unique, so it is best to talk to us about any special travel plans. Traveling fees will apply.

  • The size of the band should not be related to the size of the party. What is important is that the band plays the right music at the right volume for the room. Whether it is 30 or 30,000, we will keep your guests entertained.

  • Our published song list represents only a portion of our complete repertoire, so we may already know a song you want. If we don't know it, the Grand Central Station Band specializes in learning new material just for you. We're professionals and enjoy the challenge and diversity of new songs, which we pick up quickly and perform authentically. We request that you allow us at least one month to learn new material.

  • The Grand Central Station Band does not rotate or "job" musicians from event to event; we are a BAND. Working as frequently as we do allows the band members to commit exclusively to us, maintaining a consistently high music quality. While the band maintains the same core of instrumentalists and vocalists, some faces may change as we augment the core with additional musicians. Band members may also change due to illness or extenuating circumstances. In the event of a replacement, we substitute with a person of equal caliber, ensuring the overall high-quality sound for which we are known.

  • IYou are more than welcome to listen and meet with us at any PUBLIC appearances. Contact us for a list of these PUBLIC dates.

    We encourage you to evaluate the Grand Central Station Band based on our experience, our reputation, the abundance of credible information we give you, our audio demonstration recording, song samples supplied on our website and attendance at our numerous PUBLIC appearances; but not by visiting us during a private performance.

    Here's why:

    Every event is different. We adapt our songs and approach to venue acoustics, audience personality, and host requirements. What you would hear in a visit may not be what you're looking for, but it would be right on target for the demands of the event we're playing at.

    * Nearly all of our events are private parties. We feel that it is unprofessional for us to "crash" their party with our own "guests". After all, the event hosts are paying us to devote our energy and focus on their party, not Grand Central Station Band business issues. We have honed a professional attitude and product during our 30 years of experience, and we ask you to trust us to deliver everything you hope for in your musical entertainment. We are happy to supply references for you to contact to help you make your decision.

  • You can pay for the band with a personal or corporate check, credit card, cash, money order, or cashier's check. Also, Paypal and Wedding Wire pay or Venmo.

  • Our policy is a nonrefundable deposit with the signed contract within 10 days of a verbal commitment to book the Grand Central Station Band. The balance is due any time after that, right up to the day of your event.

  • The question of whether or not to feed the band comes up over and over again. From my experience, there is no one answer to this question. Some bands require that they be fed, and it will appear in your contract. We do not require clients to feed the band. However, most clients choose to do so, and it is always appreciated by the band. Ask the band what their policy is so that it is not an issue on the day of your wedding. "It’s important to ask your caterer or banquet manager what arrangements they offer to feed all your vendors. Some caterers and banquet managers offer a reduced fee to feed the band, making it affordable to do so, and others do not.

  • The Grand Central Station Band has a state-of-the-art sound system. This enables us to keep overall volume levels to a reasonable level with crystal clear vocals. We recognize that your guests don't want our music hindering their conversation, and we're sensitive to balancing the venue's acoustics with your audience's energy level. If, during the event, you ever think we are either too loud or too soft, just let us know - we'll accommodate you!

  • We are very flexible and can usually assist you with special requests, including announcements, guests who want to perform with the band, etc... We always are willing to do whatever we can to make your day a "special one".

  • Absolutely! Generally, however, 99% of all band bookings can effectively be handled through telephone conversations.

  • We have a number of traditional songs in our standard repertoire, including Jewish, Italian, Irish, Polish, and many more types of music. We can also learn special songs for your event. If you need true, authentic performances of music, we can make arrangements based on your needs.

  • Yes, We have several options for ceremonies. Please contact us, and we can assist you with all your requests.

    Pre-Recorded/Playlist from an Ipad (either your music or ours)

    Instrumental Keyboard/Piano

    Instrumental Guitar

    Keyboard with Vocals

    Duo or Trio with or without Vocals

    If other instrumentation is desired, we can assist you in finding that as well.

  • Consider enhancing your dinner and cocktail periods with the ambiance of subtle background music. We have several options available. Contact us, and we can provide any type of music based on your needs.

  • Unless directed otherwise, The Grand Central Station Band men always wear Formal Suits or classic, sharp tuxedos, with the female vocalist smartly dressed in evening apparel.

  • We provide LED stage lighting at no additional cost. This lighting illuminates the band and dance floor and is included in the price. No hidden fees or extra charges for this service.

  • We do. You've no doubt spent a lot of time planning and organizing your reception, and your only job that day should be to relax and be in the moment. Leave all the logistics to us and feel assured that everything will run smoothly, as planned. This is included in your quoted price. No hidden or extra fees apply.

  • We completely set up the bulk of our equipment (sound system, stands, etc.) before your guests arrive, ensuring that your party is not disrupted. Some members with minimal equipment arrive an hour before the start time. Vocalists and musicians with only hand-carried bags may arrive a few minutes before starting. We make every effort to get to the stage area via the most discreet path, with absolute sensitivity to your guests.

  • The timing of how and when the caterer wants to serve courses will ultimately determine when the band breaks. We try to only break around the two natural breaks during a 4-hour reception - when the hot entree is served and after you've cut your cake when dessert and coffee are served. We try to play continuously until your hot entree is served. This can be up to an hour and forty-five minutes into the reception. For a more personal touch, we invite you to provide your own break music for us to play. Prior arrangements need to be made if you would like to supply us with a playlist. If you prefer to keep the energy going, consider adding continuous music (no breaks) to your Grand Central Station Band package.