Wedding Violinist & Pianist at Gotham Hall

Julie Schatz has performed at Gotham Hall, the landmark Beaux-Arts banking hall on Broadway near Bryant Park. Solo violin ceremonies, jazz piano cocktail hours, and full-day soloist coverage are all part of what Julie regularly delivers at Gotham Hall.

What Gotham Hall weddings sound like

Gotham Hall is a dramatic, formal venue. The 70-foot domed ceiling and marble interiors carry acoustic violin with stunning resonance, which means ceremony processionals (Canon in D, Bridal Chorus, A Thousand Years arranged for solo violin) read powerfully without heavy amplification. Cocktail hour can stay with violin-and-keyboard or shift to jazz piano for a more lounge feel, with standards and contemporary R&B reimagined for the room. Many Gotham Hall couples book the full-day soloist package: ceremony, cocktail hour, and dinner reception coverage in a single configuration.

Logistics for Gotham Hall weddings

Gotham Hall is in Manhattan, which is part of the NYC base-pricing zone. Travel is built in. Load-in for the ceremony rig is typically scheduled 90 minutes before guest arrival because of Midtown service-entrance logistics. The marble-and-stone interior means acoustic violin carries beautifully; the portable PA is used primarily for officiant lavalier mics and for cocktail hour piano amplification when a piano is not available on site.

Pricing for Gotham Hall weddings

Gotham Hall falls in the NYC base-pricing tier, with travel built in:

• Solo violin ceremony coverage: $595
• Ceremony + cocktail hour: $950
• Full-day soloist (ceremony + cocktail + dinner): $1,800
• Soul Shades violin-and-piano duo for the ceremony: $2,400
• Soul Shades duo for ceremony + cocktail: $3,200

Custom song arrangements outside the standard repertoire are an add-on (+$200 per song; +$300 if you also want it as a featured violin arrangement). See full rate sheet →

Common questions about Gotham Hall bookings

Has Julie performed at Gotham Hall before?

Yes. Gotham Hall is on Julie's list of confirmed past venues. The full venue list across the New York tri-state is on the venues page.

Can you play outdoors at Gotham Hall?

Gotham Hall is an entirely indoor venue. Ceremonies happen in the main hall under the domed ceiling, with no weather contingencies needed. Wireless lavalier mics for officiants and vows are included on request, and the rain plan is coordinated with the venue's coordinator ahead of the date.

Can one musician cover both the ceremony and cocktail hour at Gotham Hall?

That is the most-booked Gotham Hall configuration. Solo violin for the ceremony, then a reset to jazz piano or violin-and-keyboard for cocktail hour. One musician means one load-in, one point of contact for the venue coordinator, and one combined fee instead of two separately booked ensembles.

How far in advance should we book Julie for Gotham Hall?

Gotham Hall is one of the most-requested formal wedding venues in Manhattan. For Saturday weddings in peak season (May through October), 9 to 12 months out is typical, and prime fall dates often book 12 months in advance.

Can Julie learn a custom song for the ceremony or first dance?

Almost always, yes. Custom song arrangements outside the 200-song repertoire are an add-on (+$200 per song, +$300 if you also want it as a featured arrangement). Submit the song reference with your inquiry; most songs can be arranged with 4 or more weeks of notice.

Do you cover other venues in the Manhattan area?

Yes. See the NYC Weddings page for a list of other venues across the region, or send a quick inquiry with your specific venue.