4 Crucial Ingredients Every Event Planner Needs To Know Before Hiring Live Music For Any Corporate Event
Written by Dan Gillogly. President of Glo Glee Music, Inc.
Guaranteed! You'll Look Good B'cuz We Sound Good! Involving live music into any corporate event is not as easy as it seems. Besides deciding on the band, there are 4 aspects you must consider in order to have a hope of having a successful event. They are, in the order of importance:
1) Venue
2) Agents
3) Technical Set Up
4) Band Character
In a moment I'll tell you the details of the crucial issues that can aggravate and potentially ruin an otherwise beautifully accomplished occasion. It will just take a few minutes, but as you read this page, more and more, you will start to feel better and better about hiring live music for your next corporate or social event. Most importantly is . . . . .
Venue Selection
As an event planner, your ability to keep numerous things in mind when hiring musicians. Selection of the perfect venue is the first ingredient you will need. This ability alone may distinguish you as a professionals in an industry filled with amateurs.
When choosing the venue, be certain the room size is in proportion with the number of guests who will be attending. I got into this business as a singing piano player. When I am performing I need to connect with the audience. If the room size is proportionate to the crowd size, I can do my job successfully. If the room is too big and there are not enough warm bodies in attendance, the audience will feel too intimidated to approach the band. When you keep the band close enough to your guests will feel comfortable enough to interact with the musicians and vice versa.
Have you noticed yet that keeping the venue small so the band can be close to your guests will increase your chances of having a successful event? Depending on the act, you can leave a little dance floor in front of the band. But all in all, keep the crowd near the band and allow the band to be an integral part of your event.
I have frequently worked with party planners who are clueless when it comes to what size stage is needed for a band.
"If you fail to plan ahead, then you are planning ahead to fail."
Here are the stage specs for various sized bands:
3 Piece - 8 feet by 16 feet
5 Piece - 16 feet by 24 feet
12 Piece - 16 feet by 32 feet
With the is newly acquired information, experienced event planners will always prefer to go with a room with a stage rather than just placing the band on the same level as attendees. Proper planning for stage requirements avoids major headaches the day of the show. Also, having the band on a stage allows them to be seen by everyone even by the people in back. When selecting the venue, you will also need to keep in mind the acoustics of the room. High ceilings and flat walls with lots of windows and no curtains to muffle the sound are not optimal environments for bands. Work with an experienced sound person to mix the band and equalize the room and eliminate feedback.
Agents
There are only a handful of very few good professional bands anymore. If you don't know a good booking agent, you will be hard pressed to find them. A good agent will be the one to help you thru the minefield of mediocre, amateurs with amps that have no volume control knobs. As an event planner you need to figure out your event theme and then contact a talent booking agency to see if there are bands that fit.
The most popular bands play a wide variety of styles. A good group of musicians knows songs from the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s. Frank Sinatra has never gone out of style. So make sure the band plays what we call "Jazz Standards". Depending on your event and your geographical location, it is either "Country Music is King!" or "Classic Rock Rules!". Know your demographics before hiring a band.
As with any vendor, you get what you pay for. Let's talk about budget. I wonder, even as you continue to read this report, if you realize the amount of time a band puts in before receiving a paycheck to practicing their instruments, learning and memorizing repertoire and coordinating lights and choreography. Most bands require anywhere from $1,200 to $45,000 per gig. Experienced booking agents will be able to place the right band for the party. With any event, experience wins every time. Ask for references and testimonials.
Technical Set Up
Once your musicians are booked, you now need to cover logistics. Tech setup includes the movement and placement of equipment and sound checks. Bands usually bring their own equipment.
Amplifiers, instruments, a PA system for vocals, lighting towers all the way down to carpet for the drums need to be set up and placed and checked and moved and double checked again. Allow enough time for all of these details to be adequately addressed well before show time. Because it is not IF something goes wrong, it's WHEN something goes wrong. And it always does with a band. Give them enough time to fix it.
Sound check must take place no later than 3 hours before the performance start time. Load in should occur 1 or 2 hours before that. The sound check should take no more than an hour, and after that, let the band go back to their rooms, freshen up, take a nap, grab a meal. They should return NO LATER than 30 minutes before their performance.
Band Character
Musicians have traditionally had a reputation for being evil practitioners of any number of very colorful vices. It has been my experience, however, that we are no different than any other industry be it stock brokers, medical personnel or city workers.
Use these simple rules and you will notice you can keep any group of performers in line.
- Band members should not eat any food in buffet lines or inside the ballroom area. They should have a separate area or a "Greenroom" where they can eat, drink, warm up their vocal cords, stretch out and generally prepare for the gig.
- During a performance, bands should not consume alcohol or smoke. If they can't wait a few hours to partake of their favorite libation, fire them on the spot. You will avoid headaches and embarrassment down the road. In addition, you will get the reputation you will not tolerate any such behavior. Trust me. Word will get out you are a professional party planner.
Finally, remember: Treating musicians with dignity and respect translates into a happy band which brings you happy clients and guests who enjoy the entire event no matter what the occasion.
You are now armed with the 4 seriously critical ingredients for success that you did not have before. If you have learned this information through the school of hard knocks, you can feel assured that you are a true professional.
Now picture the night of the event. Following dinner (if it is served), lights should be dimmed, the band is introduced, they hit the first chords and the excitement ripples through the room. People move towards the dance floor and the smiles appear on everyone in the room. Why? Because you did your job and provided an exquisite ingredient that every corporate party needs: Live Music.
Dan Gillogly will Guarantee you Will Look Good B'cuz he Sounds Good! He is the author of nemerous articles that will help you make your next corporate party or social event a success available at http://www.glogleemusic.com.Flug Fur Srilanka
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Theme Songs
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Alcoholic Coffee Recipe
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Free Pattern For Small Dog Clothes
1 16 Deere John Toy
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Holidays
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Big Hair Bows
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Corporations For Sale
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Ogden Child Family Entertainment
Guaranteed! You'll Look Good B'cuz We Sound Good! Involving live music into any corporate event is not as easy as it seems. Besides deciding on the band, there are 4 aspects you must consider in order to have a hope of having a successful event. They are, in the order of importance:
1) Venue
2) Agents
3) Technical Set Up
4) Band Character
In a moment I'll tell you the details of the crucial issues that can aggravate and potentially ruin an otherwise beautifully accomplished occasion. It will just take a few minutes, but as you read this page, more and more, you will start to feel better and better about hiring live music for your next corporate or social event. Most importantly is . . . . .
Venue Selection
As an event planner, your ability to keep numerous things in mind when hiring musicians. Selection of the perfect venue is the first ingredient you will need. This ability alone may distinguish you as a professionals in an industry filled with amateurs.
When choosing the venue, be certain the room size is in proportion with the number of guests who will be attending. I got into this business as a singing piano player. When I am performing I need to connect with the audience. If the room size is proportionate to the crowd size, I can do my job successfully. If the room is too big and there are not enough warm bodies in attendance, the audience will feel too intimidated to approach the band. When you keep the band close enough to your guests will feel comfortable enough to interact with the musicians and vice versa.
Have you noticed yet that keeping the venue small so the band can be close to your guests will increase your chances of having a successful event? Depending on the act, you can leave a little dance floor in front of the band. But all in all, keep the crowd near the band and allow the band to be an integral part of your event.
I have frequently worked with party planners who are clueless when it comes to what size stage is needed for a band.
"If you fail to plan ahead, then you are planning ahead to fail."
Here are the stage specs for various sized bands:
3 Piece - 8 feet by 16 feet
5 Piece - 16 feet by 24 feet
12 Piece - 16 feet by 32 feet
With the is newly acquired information, experienced event planners will always prefer to go with a room with a stage rather than just placing the band on the same level as attendees. Proper planning for stage requirements avoids major headaches the day of the show. Also, having the band on a stage allows them to be seen by everyone even by the people in back. When selecting the venue, you will also need to keep in mind the acoustics of the room. High ceilings and flat walls with lots of windows and no curtains to muffle the sound are not optimal environments for bands. Work with an experienced sound person to mix the band and equalize the room and eliminate feedback.
Agents
There are only a handful of very few good professional bands anymore. If you don't know a good booking agent, you will be hard pressed to find them. A good agent will be the one to help you thru the minefield of mediocre, amateurs with amps that have no volume control knobs. As an event planner you need to figure out your event theme and then contact a talent booking agency to see if there are bands that fit.
The most popular bands play a wide variety of styles. A good group of musicians knows songs from the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s. Frank Sinatra has never gone out of style. So make sure the band plays what we call "Jazz Standards". Depending on your event and your geographical location, it is either "Country Music is King!" or "Classic Rock Rules!". Know your demographics before hiring a band.
As with any vendor, you get what you pay for. Let's talk about budget. I wonder, even as you continue to read this report, if you realize the amount of time a band puts in before receiving a paycheck to practicing their instruments, learning and memorizing repertoire and coordinating lights and choreography. Most bands require anywhere from $1,200 to $45,000 per gig. Experienced booking agents will be able to place the right band for the party. With any event, experience wins every time. Ask for references and testimonials.
Technical Set Up
Once your musicians are booked, you now need to cover logistics. Tech setup includes the movement and placement of equipment and sound checks. Bands usually bring their own equipment.
Amplifiers, instruments, a PA system for vocals, lighting towers all the way down to carpet for the drums need to be set up and placed and checked and moved and double checked again. Allow enough time for all of these details to be adequately addressed well before show time. Because it is not IF something goes wrong, it's WHEN something goes wrong. And it always does with a band. Give them enough time to fix it.
Sound check must take place no later than 3 hours before the performance start time. Load in should occur 1 or 2 hours before that. The sound check should take no more than an hour, and after that, let the band go back to their rooms, freshen up, take a nap, grab a meal. They should return NO LATER than 30 minutes before their performance.
Band Character
Musicians have traditionally had a reputation for being evil practitioners of any number of very colorful vices. It has been my experience, however, that we are no different than any other industry be it stock brokers, medical personnel or city workers.
Use these simple rules and you will notice you can keep any group of performers in line.
- Band members should not eat any food in buffet lines or inside the ballroom area. They should have a separate area or a "Greenroom" where they can eat, drink, warm up their vocal cords, stretch out and generally prepare for the gig.
- During a performance, bands should not consume alcohol or smoke. If they can't wait a few hours to partake of their favorite libation, fire them on the spot. You will avoid headaches and embarrassment down the road. In addition, you will get the reputation you will not tolerate any such behavior. Trust me. Word will get out you are a professional party planner.
Finally, remember: Treating musicians with dignity and respect translates into a happy band which brings you happy clients and guests who enjoy the entire event no matter what the occasion.
You are now armed with the 4 seriously critical ingredients for success that you did not have before. If you have learned this information through the school of hard knocks, you can feel assured that you are a true professional.
Now picture the night of the event. Following dinner (if it is served), lights should be dimmed, the band is introduced, they hit the first chords and the excitement ripples through the room. People move towards the dance floor and the smiles appear on everyone in the room. Why? Because you did your job and provided an exquisite ingredient that every corporate party needs: Live Music.
Dan Gillogly will Guarantee you Will Look Good B'cuz he Sounds Good! He is the author of nemerous articles that will help you make your next corporate party or social event a success available at http://www.glogleemusic.com.Flug Fur Srilanka
Heater Hot Tub Water
Invest Gold
Bristol Channel Cutter
Asian Tennis
Black Cartoon Character
100 Commercial Estate Financing Real
Conservation Land Related Resource Water
0 Down Payment
Business Gift Personalized Wholesale
A950 Cell Phone Samsung
Air Air Travel Travel World World
Las Vegas Bachelor Party Package
Soccer Team Uniform
3m Software
Aluminum Chair Chaise Lounge
Child Entertainment Family New Orleans
Jet Night Club Montreal
Celebrity Latest News Star
04 05
Best Stock Strategy Trading
Care Pet Taking
07 Golf Pga Tiger Tour Wood
Bell And Howell Lamp
Espn College Basketball Tv Schedule
Go Go Fur Real Puppy
Wireless Scanner Software
Ugly House
Coffee Motivational Mug
Holidays
Coffee Bean Dispenser
Life9
Contractor
0 0balance Card Credit Transfer
Club Cobra Driver Golf Used
Ab Scissor Body By Jake
Victorian Halloween Costume
2007 Time Share Calendar
0 Forex Learn Onlinesbox Trading
Glasses Nike Repair Sun
Christmas Dessert Dishing Home Hope Martha Mary Up
008 Motorola Accompli
Jesse Michaels
Ted Degrazia
Designer Dress Girl
35 After Business Find Harvard Husband I Learned School Using
2006 Accommodation Bed Breakfast Character Guide Guide Leading New New Zealand Zealands
0 Lux Camera
Dragonball Z Single Cards
360 Xbox Buy Premium X
Philadelphia Life Insurance Co
Theme Songs
1 Art Cooking French Mastering Vol
Alcoholic Coffee Recipe
Accident Bad Car
Mtv Online Radio
1 2006 December Holiday
Free Pattern For Small Dog Clothes
1 16 Deere John Toy
Candy Ct In Penny Store
1000 Hotel In Seattle
Coffee Hot Rocker Video
Falcon Ireland Travel
Second Home Mortgage Rate
Dog Pei Picture Shar
Holidays
New Orleans Retirement Community
Basketball Free Game Online Play Shootout
Current Vacancies
Beaches
10x Lamp Projector Sharp Xr
Condo For Sale In Las Vegas Nevada
Cal State Fullerton Extension
Blue Bean Bag Chair
02 Sim Card
Big Hair Bows
Golf Club Left Handed Cobra
Recipe Salt Scrub Sea
Corporations For Sale
Chocolate
Villas For Rent Phuket
Condominium Act 1998
Childrens Feet
Desert Botanical Garden Phoenix Az
All Inclusive Golf Resort Mexico
Mobile Carpet Cleaning Equipment
Tour Travel Jakarta
1773 Act Image Tea
Real6
British Journal Medical Online
2006 Aa Aa Bed Breakfast France Guide In Lifestyle S
Wyndemere Senior Living Campus
Bag Bag Garment Wally
Office
Rolling Shopping Bag
07 2006 Cancelled Show Tv
10 Box Office Top Uk
Wireless Surveillance System With Monitor And Camera
Global Myth Warming
Juanes Ticket
1 2 Ct Diamond Earring
Fashion Fashion Influence Magazine Womens
Earring Jewelry Penguin
Boost Iq
High School South Technical
001 001 Cheap Flight Keyword Miva R Ticket
Dish Network Provider Satellite Tv
Yoga Zone Music For Meditation
Apartment Finder Dallas Tx
1000 Vegetarian Recipe
Ogden Child Family Entertainment
