Today we’d like to introduce you to Caleb Stelle.
Hi Caleb, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve been in the wedding business since I was thirteen years old. I’m a pastor’s kid and I learned violin starting in third grade. That combination meant I was given the opportunity to perform at weddings in my early teens, and it continued through college and into where I am now.
The business side of C. Stelle Music actually came out of an accident — you could call it serendipitous. In college, I had a quartet that played weddings, and we did the best marketing we could when you’re twenty years old and have no idea what you’re doing. That quartet continued on after college; people came and went, but it stayed a unit.
Then we had a wedding booked, and the bride needed to reschedule. I was unavailable for the new date, but the rest of the quartet was — and I realized I could find another violinist to fill in for me. That’s when it hit me: I could just organize it and send the musicians out to play, without needing to be there myself. I became a contractor completely by accident.
What started as just that quartet has grown into a collective of twenty-plus groups and over two hundred musicians, ranging from a single harpist at a cocktail hour to a twenty-six-piece orchestra for a choral concert. We do it all, and that’s where we are now.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s gone about as smooth as it could, but I don’t think you get anywhere growing something from the ground up without some friction or struggle. It’s really about taking the opportunity to learn from any mistakes, owning up to them in the moment, and fixing things so they don’t happen again. A lot was learned over time — things that now I just laugh at myself about, but felt like a big deal back then. Making sure deposits were in place. Making sure checks from clients don’t bounce. Learning how to write an airtight contract. Getting liability insurance. Building rapport and a reputation — both with my musicians and with the community at large. Building a brand. Keeping up with the growth of tech involved in wedding trends, whether that’s lead sites like Zola or WeddingWire, or picking up on trends taking place, like saxophones playing alongside the DJ at the cocktail hour. It’s really all about taking the moment to reflect and learn from each gig, and using what you’ve learned as you keep improving.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about C. Stelle Music – Weddings & Events?
We are C. Stelle Music, Weddings and Events. We provide musicians and groups for weddings, corporate events, church services, choral concerts, and basically anything a client can think of. We’re based in Central Pennsylvania, covering Chambersburg, Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lebanon, Hershey, York, Lancaster, Lititz, Ephrata, Reading, and Mifflin, as well as Northern Maryland — basically everybody.
We specialize in not just having incredible musicians, but also incredible people. You could be the greatest violinist in the world, but if you’re going to be disrespectful or rude at one of my events, you are not going to be on my team. It’s a two-way street — the client also needs to respect the musician, and that’s where I come in, making sure they know what the musicians need. I think that’s what sets us apart most: focusing on musicianship and kindness at the same time.
If you’re looking for musicians in Central Pennsylvania, look for us at CStelleMusic.com.
How do you think about luck?
I can see you are also a fan of how I built this. 🙂
I think it’s a mix of both. Being in the right places at the right time and meeting the right people is definitely luck, but I also have to acknowledge the hard work I’ve put into this. I think it’s a symbiotic relationship — being in the right place at the right time, but also being prepared for that moment when it comes.
Pricing:
- These prices reflect typical configurations and serve as a starting point. Every wedding is different — instrumentation, location, and timeline all shape your final quote. Reach out and we’ll put something together that fits your day perfectly.
- Solo Violin or Cello — $350 / Ceremony Package 30-min prelude + ceremony coverage up to 1 hour
- Solo Piano/Keyboard — $400 / Ceremony Package 30-min prelude + ceremony coverage up to 1 hour
- String Duo — $545 / Ceremony Package 30-min prelude + ceremony coverage up to 1 hour
- String Trio — $760 / Ceremony Package 30-min prelude + ceremony coverage up to 1 hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cstellemusic.com/
- Instagram: cstellemusic
- Facebook: cstellemusic
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cstellemusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@calebstelle754
- Other: https://bio.site/cstellemusic
