Featured Services
Sonata Strings
The Sonata Chamber Ensembles are represented exclusively by Cleveland Music Group. The Sonata Strings includes symphony-calibre performers who also appear as members of our most-requested wedding band, The Orchestra. The strings are often featured strolling at dinner time for charming personal performance.
The String Quartet (traditionally, two violins, viola, and cello, as heard below) is a perfect choice for wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours, or any kind of event where a fine musical presentation would be appreciated.
The Sonata Strings is also available as a trio (two violins and cello) and have performed with various featured instruments, such as flute, trumpet, and harp. Please note that the quartet is recommended for contemporary song choices. Song choices for the duo may be limited due to instrumentation.
Wedding Quartet
I booked The Sonata String Quartet as a surprise for my husband during the ceremony and cocktail hour. The quartet was fantastic! They were very professional and timely working up to the wedding. I’m so happy I booked them for the ceremony and happy hour. They really set the mood! Couldn’t have been happier.
Reannin MolesOct 17, 2020Stan Hywet Hall & GardensGreat quartet!
The string quartet was wonderful! A large selection of music to choose from, and we could add additional music for a small fee. Everyone was beautiful and professional.
LuAnne FisherOct 3, 2020Private residenceBand exceeded my expectations, dance floor was packed all night!
Sonata Strings:
The Sonata Strings did a beautiful job performing at our wedding ceremony. They were very easy to work with and listened to my ideas and gave me suggestions for song selections. My guests were very moved by the music.The Orchestra
The Orchestra had our guests on the dance floor all night long. I work in the music industry so having a great band was key. I was very nervous about choosing one but The Orchestra exceeded my expectations and I would absolutely hire them again!! Dwayne was terrific to work with and answered all of my questions, gave me suggestions for certain songs, and happily took my direction on must have/don’t play songs and helped me plan out our grand entrance and first dance. I really liked how he checked in with me throughout the night before key moments were going to take place so I could ensure our photographer and family were present and ready.The band was energetic and fun and wow, the horn section was terrific! The horn section even came down onto the dance floor at one point which our guests are still talking about. I couldn’t have been happier and all of my friends are still talking about how much fun they had dancing. They were OUTSTANDING!!!!!
Missy Iredell / Jeff GebhardtDec 7, 2019The Union ClubCleveland music group was great
I was very pleased with Cleveland Music Group for my wedding. DJ Chris Wallace was very down to earth, friendly and professional. His choice of music was spot on, and the reception flowed well.
Sonata Strings was so professional and easy with identifying songs.
All around, a great group to work with!
Jennifer and Matt StanleyOct 18, 2019The Union ClubNO WORDS!
I don’t have words for how thankful we are for The Element and the Cleveland Music Group. The band made our entire wedding night. I really wanted a wedding with a lot of dancing and we got that, thanks to Erin and The Element. The dance floor was full all night! Every member of the band is so talented and amazing. Choosing The Element was our second best decision (besides getting married 😊). All night long guests were mentioning how great the band was and asking us who they were. Erin is also a great emcee, keeping everyone engaged and helping us immensely in scheduling and coordinating our speeches and introduction. On top of their amazing performance the night of – Erin was an absolute pleasure to work with during the planning process. She was extremely responsive, friendly and competent in all of our communications. We researched and went to performances by other bands during the planning process, but we both knew from the beginning that we wanted The Element. Can’t recommend them more!
Also, the Sonata String Trio did an unbelievable job during our ceremony and cocktail hour. Their music is absolutely beautiful and they were easy and friendly to work with!
Tessa and Drew HannaSep 28, 2019The Country ClubAmazing photo booth and perfect string trio
First, I don’t think I’ve ever seen our guests have more fun at a wedding, and now I have the pictures to prove it! The Open Air Photo Booth was a hit! The props were great and the open air was awesome for people to jump in and out of the pictures. I love that our guests were able to take the pictures home with them as well.
The Sonata String Trio was everything we wanted our ceremony music to be. For a couple that wanted Everlong by the Foo Fighters, followed by Canon in D, followed by Can’t Help Falling in Love, they made it sound seamless. Thank you again for helping us start our ceremony on the right foot!
From the beginning Cleveland Music Group was so easy to work with, I highly recommend them!
Greg and Brittany SekulaSep 14, 2019The Ballroom at Park LaneOutstanding music for ceremony and reception!
We used Sonata Strings for the ceremony music and The Element for the reception. They were both excellent! Sonata Strings learned a new song: Stay with Me by Sam Smith, which the bride used for her processional. Erin was a great emcee and kept everyone dancing and engaged. It was a perfect evening from start to finish!
Deborah Ewing-Wilson/ Couple: Victoria Wilson and Andrew FosterAug 31, 2019Sapphire Winery and GardensGreat wedding band
We had the Sonata Strings Trio play during our daughter’s wedding ceremony and The Element played during the reception. We’ve heard The Element before and as always, they were fabulous!! Erin was very easy to work with leading up to the big day and she was great emceeing during the reception! Everyone had a great time!!
Ann GeibJul 5, 2019Market SquareLovely…from communication to sound
The Sonata Strings Quartet sounded lovely and moved from ceremony to cocktail reception space smoothly. While I cannot speak for the guest experience, as a planner, Tanis the strings leader was great to work with and organized and flexible on event day.
Katie CoachJun 21, 2019The Great Lakes Science CenterAmazing experience
We absolutely loved our experience with Cleveland Music Group. The Sonata Strings Duo were easy to coordinate with and provided beautiful music for our ceremony exactly how we imagined it. DJ Chris Wallace was easy to work with and kept the party going throughout the entire night! The value of the services provided by Cleveland Music Group was appropriate, and we would highly recommend their services to others planning their wedding day.
Brittany and Graham SchwesingerJun 8, 2019Kent State Hotel and Conference CenterComments
The Sonata Strings sounded wonderful and was very professional. Our guests were very impressed.
Zane and Beth GoodwinSep 22, 2018St. John’s Cantius Church, TremontBeautiful music for our wedding ceremony!
As the bride, I was able to hear the Sonata Strings playing as I was in a separate room before the ceremony and they sounded just wonderful! Leading up to our date, the musicians were very interactive and had no issue in expanding our time a little bit. I will encourage people to keep in mind that without the quartet, the musicians aren’t able to do many contemporary songs, which I wasn’t aware of until a few weeks before the wedding. It was no big deal because the music was still great (and the due was able to accommodate one contemporary song choice!) but other people may like to be aware of that.
Carly and MichaelAug 11, 2018The Church in AuroraEpic wedding according to our guests…
If you are looking for a DJ for your wedding in Cleveland look no further than Scott Jones with CLE Music Group. He was truly outstanding. Speaking as the mother of the bride, Scott Jones took over from the moment we ended the ceremony to the end of the AMAZING reception. Our guests NEVER stopped dancing with Scott Jones. The dance floor was enjoyed by young and old alike. He made sure everyone could hear the toasts made to the couple and to highlight the IMPORTANT events. He truly is the guy!
The Sonata Strings were outstanding, professional, and truly memorable for our daughter’s wedding. John Toula provided guitar music during our cocktail hour. I could not have been more pleased.
I am a hard to please person (not from Cleveland) and CLE Music Group made me a believer in the gifts of Cleveland. I cannot THANK this outstanding organization enough. All weddings are special, but this was EPIC with the help of CLE Music Group.
Lee StanleyApr 28, 2018Old Courthouse, ClevelandGreat Groups
The Sonata String Quartet was a perfect addition to the ceremony. They were on time and professional and played wonderful selections. The reception band Pop Avenue was also a wonderful choice, they played all of the songs we requested and sounded amazing. I would highly recommend both of these acts if you are planning to have live music at your wedding.
Daniel CrossSep 23, 2017Stan Hywet and TangierIncredible choices of artists!
Both groups were outstanding! Sonata Stings worked with us on musical choices and brought sophistication to the wedding and cocktail hour. The band, Bottom Line, was incredible. They also played at our son and nieces weddings. The band’s wedding party intros are well done and the post dinner music kept people of all ages dancing until closing! Would rehire them for any event at anytime! The guests loved the music whether they were dancing or taking a break!
Lynn Handke Kristin and Chap WincekOct 7, 2017Country ClubPerfect addition to our wedding
We had two acts for the night. We started with the Sonata Strings who played for our ceremony and cocktail hour. It was very easy to work with them on song choices and the timing was perfect throughout. DJ Chris was super easy to work with and had no problem following our requests for songs. He did a great job announcing the important events throughout the night without being overpowering on the mic. His music selection was so good that he kept the dance floor packed all night. We could not have asked for better music for the whole day. I would highly recommend these two acts to anyone in the future. As far as CLE Music Group in general, Erin Rossi helped us with updating contracts and any requests. She always got back to me very quickly and gave great advice when needed!
Katie Miltner and Chris HauensteinAug 5, 2017Whitehall ColumbiaWonderful company and so accommodating!
Our guests loved this string trio. They played all of our songs beautifully. They were very accommodating and made sure we got to hear all of our special songs.
Mary Beth Mussey & Brad FreemanOct 8, 2016Lake Forest Country ClubStrings & DJ
We used Sonata Strings for our ceremony and cocktail hour. The string trio was perfect. They were professional, sounded great and were even able to put together a special request song for me (the bride) to walk down the aisle to. It was a great way to add an elegant touch to the start of our wedding day and the guests were impressed! DJ Chris Wallace came in after cocktail hour and was another hit. He again accommodated our requests for a certain genre of music during dinner and moved smoothly through the unique, traditional Polish touches we had requested during the reception. He kept the party going right up until the end while playing a great blend of genres. Using Cleveland Music Group was a great decision and we would highly recommend them to anyone looking!
Ashley Snider & Daniel DwyerSep 10, 2016Whitehall ColumbiaSimple Perfection
Cleveland Music Group’s Sonata Strings Duo was simple perfection for our ceremony. They provided the calm, classy backdrop to our big day! The booking process was very quick and easy and the team was very accommodating and very nice!
Leann and Nick WegnerSep 4, 2016Greystone Hall, Akron OhioBeautiful addition to the service
The Sonata Strings Quartet added a lovely dimension to my daughter’s wedding. I was able to select musical pieces from a list.
Communication with CLE group was excellent. I tried to communicate with the quartet regarding selection of contemporary pieces but did not hear back from the spokesperson of the quartet until very close to the event. The traditional/classical pieces played were beautiful.
Mary Morrison (Leigh Morrison & Joseph Kohne)Nov 5, 2016Cleveland Museum of Artphenomenal music
Our string trio left us speechless. I even had my choir director comment on how professional and talented they were. I was worried at first, but Tanis and crew made lovely music.
I definitely recommend Mike Gazdak as DJ. We gave him a small amount of information and music selection to work from and he made sure that our dance floor was never empty. A great time was had by all!
Bethany Willets and Robert KopisAug 19, 2016The Inn at Honey runWonderful!
Beautiful music. Sonata Strings provided a wonderful backdrop to our wedding ceremony and cocktail hour.
Amy & Philip FirrellJul 23, 2016Glidden HouseProfessional and Perfect
The Sonata Strings were the perfect addition to our church music. They really set the tone for an elegant wedding. They knew all of the music that we requested and made great suggestions. The trio was extremely professional and worked well with the church cantors and pianist/organist. We were very impressed and our guests raved about the music part of the ceremony. I strongly suggest adding the Sonata Strings to your wedding event. They were truly a phenomenal addition!
Ronald Magliola and Rachel HoldenJul 30, 3016Saint Malachi Church, Cleveland OhioGreat Day!
We booked ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception music through Cleveland Music Group and every part of our day was fantastic! The Sonata Strings were a beautiful touch to our ceremony and even looked into a special song for us. Jeff Sherman on guitar was a hit at cocktail hour prompting a lot of compliments from guests. Lastly, DJ Eric Smith kept the dance floor going all night with so many fun songs. Everyone we worked with to coordinate at Cleveland Music Group was so helpful and friendly. We are glad we selected them for our wedding!
Christopher Dierks & Molly FishellSep 5, 2015Chagrin Valley Hunt ClubWedding Wow!
The Sonata Strings set the tone for a romantic modern wedding ceremony. The Bottom Line kept everyone on the dance floor until midnight, they were fantastic and a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend both of them!
Vicki SnyderJul 4, 2015The Intercontinental HotelPerfect for our Outdoor Service
The beauty and elegance of the music of Sonata Strings Trio added the perfect element to our outdoor wedding service. It was very easy to select the appropriate music, and it was flawlessly executed. We had a wonderful positive experience.
Luanne Freedman, Mother of the BrideJun 27, 2015Portage Country Club Akron, OhioOur requests included difficult, iconic pieces from the greatest composers. Sonata Strings played them impeccably. It was beautiful to hear our favorite works wafting through the church throughout the ceremony just as we had dreamed.
Sandra De BalzoAug 25, 2012Old Stone ChurchThe Sonata Strings Trio did a fantastic job at our wedding. The guests at the ceremony raved about the music and overall experience because of the music. I would recommend this to anyone planning a wedding. Very much worth the cost. They were very patient with me taking care of the balance despite me running around doing other things. It was a blast and I must say the String Trio played a big part in that. Thanks again.
Nick & Monica EskerSep 3, 2011St. John Cantius ChurchI’m glad that we chose Jerry Bruno Productions to provide the music for my ceremony and reception. We had the String Trio for our ceremony and Mary Beth chose beautiful and appropriate music for every part of the ceremony. Our guests were commenting on how much they loved the ceremony music well into the reception. Mary Beth also contacted us before the event to make sure that we were happy with the music she had picked for our ceremony.
Lauren ConwayJul 3, 2011LaCentreHaving a string quartet brought so much extra beauty and peace to our big day. People commented on how soothing and also happy our wedding music was. The strings truly added extra elegance to our special day.
Amy (Allega) & Joe DansingerJul 2, 2011Cleveland RenaissanceThe music at our ceremony was one of my favorite parts of the day. I could not wait to receive our wedding video so that I could hear it again. We received such wonderful feedback from our guests as well.
Karin Kurtz VanCureJun 25, 2011St. Michael's ChurchFrom the first email through the wedding ceremony itself, everyone at JBP was fantastic to work with. I had a few odd requests for wedding music, and they turned out better than I could have asked for! I received so many complements from guests. Wonderful job! Thank you!!
Lisa ShermanJun 18, 2011Weymouth Country Club/Fox MeadowsThe Sonata Strings exceeded my expectations. Bill was easy to work with to plan the ceremony music. It was definitely one thing I didnt have to worry about on my wedding day because I knew they had it handled. Thank you!
Mia (Sobotka) & Adam MorrisJun 11, 2011Portage Country ClubThe string quartet turned our wedding ceremony into such a magical moment. They sounded beautiful! We had so many compliments on what an amazing ceremony we had, thanks to them.
Colleen SadieMay 21, 2011St. Albert the GreatThe music was an important part of the wedding ceremony and was perfect; the guests at the wedding reception raved about theband.
Jane Beese (Ellen Beese & Nicholas Young)Mar 26, 2011Union ClubAll the musicians were WONDERFUL and really made my wedding day special! Everyone was extremely professional and easy to work with! All the guests thought Sonata Strings were very sophisticated and classy, the pianist for the cocktail hour was fabulous,Sophisticated Swingwas great during dinner and after dinner a lot of the guests loved to dance to their music and theDJ Mark Guthriewas wonderful! He kept us dancing well past the time we were supposed to stop!
Molly PattonFeb 12, 2011Ritz-CarltonBeautiful – made my daughters wedding a classic.
Toni Wick (Tiffany Wick & JT Williams)Oct 10, 2010Hillbrook ClubEven with all the last minute scramble due to weather on our wedding day, the string quartet did a great job adapting and still played very well.
Genell Zink & Timothy RitleyAug 14, 2010Glenmoor Country ClubWe hired Jerry Bruno musicians and DJs for each part of our wedding day – Sonata Strings Trio for the ceremony, a pianist for the cocktail hour, andDJ Mark Guthriefor the reception. All were fantastic and made the day very special.
Emily (Bonath) & Alan AllredAug 14, 2010Hilton Garden Inn TwinsburgSonata Strings were excellent. Michael was very professional and courteous, the music was beautiful and added to the mood of the ceremony. Thank you!
Irene Yee & Jess GibsonJun 27, 2009Severance HallJerry Bruno Productions was wonderful start to finish. The Sonata Strings made our outdoor ceremony extra special.
Ashley (Cerny) & Chris DolarMay 30, 2009Lakewood Country ClubMichael’s suggestions and advice were great. We knew a few pieces that we definitely wanted, and he recommended a few others to fill in the gaps, while still fitting in with the overall mood of our wedding. Would definitely recommend the string trio to our friends.
Sarah (VanderSchel) & Kevin LawMay 23, 2009Pilgrim Lutheran Brethren ChurchBeautiful, wonderful!
Beth DeBaggisMay 22, 2009Holy Angels Catholic ChurchThank you for the gorgeous music you provided at the Wheeler/Rice wedding.
Phil & Lisa Rice (Laura Wheeler & Stephen Rice wedding)May 16, 2009Blair CenterThe Sonata Strings with Trumpet perfomance at my wedding was absolutely beautiful! They made the ceremony memorable and were extremely professional to work with. I would recommend Bill Merimee & the Sonata Strings Trio to ANYONE!
Laura (Sahlani) & Dan DietzelOct 11, 2008Cleveland RenaissanceWe had comments from many wedding guests about how much they enjoyed the string quartet music. The bride is happy and I am pleased with their overall performance.
Helen BergmannJul 12, 2008Hope Christian ChurchWe received nice comments on the beautiful music at the wedding ceremony. It made the ceremony more memorable.
Pam StephensJun 21, 2008St. Rita's - SolonThe string trio played beautiful music at our wedding.
Michelle SmithMay 17, 2008Shoreby ClubWe wanted people to forget their troubles and the outside world and enjoy the fine feast and spirit of the season. They did that perfectly!! The transition was facilitated by the beautiful music. It is too bad they were booked back to back. We would have liked them longer.
Kim Whary Holiday PartyDec 15, 2007Private ResidenceThey were perfect! Exactly what we were hoping for with our ceremony music.
Annie (Ferry) & Michael KiserOct 27, 2007Grand Pacific ChapelThe Sonata String Trio was superb!
Megan VachaSep 29, 2007Sheraton Suites in Cuyahoga FallsI am just returning from honeymoon and wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your musical talents! The Purple Rain was a hit (especially for those who knew me well) as was Lets Go Crazy. Thank you for having an open mind and making this happen. These touches really made the day ‘ours.’
Adrienne Boissy & Peter RasmussenSep 8, 2007Hillbrook ClubWe hired the string trio for our wedding and could not have been happier. Their performance was outstanding. Everyone raved about the music. They thought it was wonderful and we did too.
Jeff Lunger & Stephanie SulkaSep 1, 2007English Oak RoomSonata Strings did a great job adding that extra touch of elegance to our ceremony. We received so many compliments about how great they sounded.
Rikki Haberny & Tim RychelSep 1, 2007Windows on the RiverI could not have asked for anything more. The Sonata Strings Quartet were amazing!
Maria JakovichAug 25, 2007The AstrodomeMany of the guests asked if they could have a copy of all the Sonata Quartet’s music played during the ceremony. Unfortunataely it was not recorded! Michael put much effort info fulfilling special requests. Wonderful work!
Jill SpriggsAug 18, 2007St. Joseph ChurchThe Sonata String Trio are amazing! Being the sole music of our wedding ceremony, they provided our family and friends with beautiful classical melodies that left them humming throughout the night! Extremely professional, extremely courteous-overall perfection!
Nick Lakostik & Lyndsey PruettAug 4, 2007Aurora CCThe string quartet was the highlight of our ceremony. I can’t say enough about how beautiful they sounded.
Carrie Mannis & Tom TylickiJul 21, 2007The Federated ChurchI just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the Sonata Strolling Violin Trio at my daughter’s wedding. They were fantastic-very professional and the music was beautiful! We had so many compliments from family and friends. My only regret is that we didn’t have them for longer!
Kim Bellisimo (Jaclyn Bellisimo & Matt Ziders)Jul 14, 2007Congress Lake CCWe received many compliments on Sonata Strings. Their presence at St. Elizabeth of Hungary was perfect. The strings filled that beautiful church with the reverence it deserves. The Ave Maria brought tears to many eyes, Catholic or not.
Tina Smith (Kristin Thompson & Ryland Smith)Jul 6, 2007Windows on the RiverThe music was beautiful and had people complementing it all night.
Jessica Tresko & Henry WebsterJun 17, 2007DeLuca's Place in the ParkThe trio was great. The group incorporated all of my requests as well as offering great suggestions that were really helpful.
Alicia Thomas & Richard BarrJun 2, 2007Amasa Stone Chapel (Case Western)Thank you so much for making our wedding so special. The music just added to the overall atmosphere.
Jennifer MarianJun 2, 2007Botanical GardensThey were absolutely amazing! They were everything I imagined and more! They made our wedding day extra perfect!
Erin SeimetzMay 19, 2007Glenmoor C.C.The trio did a beautiful job at my wedding ceremony. They played my special requests, and helped me to select recessional music. I was very happy with them – highly recommended!
Megan Geist & Zane KelleyOct 21, 2006Myers University ClubThanks for making my wedding beautiful!
Melody FloryOct 7, 2006St. Martin'sThank you so much for adding a VERY special touch to our wedding day. We will definitely promote your services to other people we know.
Rich & Stefani (Sawczak) SvobodaSep 30, 2006Chester Christian CenterWords cannot describe the enormous sound produced by these delicate strings [trio]. Absolutely breath-taking. Melodies that I will cherish for years to come still linger in my mind.
Joyce EdingtonSep 23, 2006Cleveland RenaissanceAll of our guests mentioned how pleasant and beautiful the string quartet played. Michael was very helpful with his professional manner and knowledge. Our expectations were truly exceeded.
Amy Smith & Les TippingSep 16, 2006St. Peter's Catholic ChurchI had the quartet and they helped to make my wedding ceremony amazing. I got so many compliments on the music. They couldn’t have done a better job.
Erin BergerSep 16, 2006St. Mary's Church in MentorPlease pass on my sincere thanks to Mike and the rest of the quartet. They were beyond amazing last night at my wedding, I can’t thank you guys enough. Thanks for making my ceremony special!
Erin & Jonathan KramerSep 16, 2006St. Mary's Church in MentorThe Sonata String Trio were easy to work with and they sounded great. They added that extra special something to our ceremony.
Rebecka BenedictAug 26, 2006Marriott Key CenterThank you for the beautiful performance! You helped set an elegant tone for the entire wedding and reception.
Jennifer EklundAug 5, 2006Kirtland Country ClubThe performers did a tremendous job and were certainly a highlight of the wedding. The guests are still talking about it. Very elegant.
Joann CobbAug 5, 2006Mooreland MansionAdded an extra touch of elegance to our special day. The group kept great lines of communication with me. A great addition to your company!
Delilah NunezJul 28, 2006St. Peter's Catholic in LorainThe trio played beautifully at my wedding. They lived up to every expectation I had and I will definitely tell more people about your wonderful services!
Carrie Toma (Balk)Jul 15, 2006Marriott Key CenterThe best. End of discussion.
Joanna PecaJul 15, 2006The Courthouse…helpful in arranging the ceremony and helped relieve any anxiety about timing of the ceremony through their professionalism and willingness to discuss ideas.
Ellen BusseJun 24, 2006The Country ClubThank you so much. Being prompt, professional, and well-dressed added to the beauty of our special day.
Sharon FischerJun 2, 2006Mon AmiWe used the Sonata Strings for our wedding on May 6th and they were incredible! Everyone said it was the most elegant wedding ever and I know that the music they played really put the icing on the cake.
Kim & Frank ZemlaMay 6, 2006Baldwin-Wallace College ChapelWe were unsure of who to get to perform at our daughter’s wedding, but we definitely made the right choice…extremely professional.
Colleen DoerrerMay 6, 2006First Christian Church, Medina
- String Quartet Classical Samples
String Trio Classical Samples
String Quartet Contemporary Samples - SonataSongList
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- Sonata Strings Duo song list
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