a gu ide to s imcha hs
The band
Nouveaute'
Great Sounds
Enlivening the party takes careful planning.
Don Cohen I Special to Celebrate!
hile music is the universal language,
not every type of music is universally
loved or appropriate. So when you
gather a diverse group of people for
a celebration, you know you need music. But what
kind is going to work for everyone and capture the
spirit of the party?
The first thing to keep in mind is that the party is
for your guests. Whether your favorite music is from
the Rolling Stones, Lawrence Welk or David Broza,
you're going to want to temper your own tastes to
cater to your guests.
When I've put together a musical col-
lection for a party of friends, I've found I
can sneak in some of my more obscure
personal pleasures, but if I become too
eclectic, I've lost them and the music
gets changed. So don't be afraid to give
things your own spin, but be liberal with
the crowd-pleasers.
Once you've decided on the music,
you need to figure out the best way to
present it. Budget will come into play
here. Often, music is one of the more
expensive parts of any event.
But it doesn't have to be.
Now that the Beatles are on iTunes,
you can pretty much find everything there or else-
where on the Internet or you can rip the music off
of your own compact discs. This allows you to put
together a real mix — the Jewish songs, the slow
numbers, rap appropriate for a mixed audience,
oldies, classic rock, jazz, you name it. This can be
done on the cheap but takes time, a sound system
and someone to stay on top of the music all the
time — something you won't want to do as a host of
the party.
More often, you're going to want to find someone
to "spin" the music for you. Friends and relatives may
have suggestions; wedding planners, event coordina-
tors, florists, caterers and photographers can all be
great resources. And check ads in the Jewish News
and other publications to see who is seeking to play
W
Ed Chudnow
C4 8
celebrate! I
March 2011
at your kind of event.
Options range from a DJ to party professionals,
who not only play music but keep the party going by
providing everything from a master of ceremonies to
game leaders, dancers, light shows, give-aways and
the like. There are many popular and professional
choices available and they have become the stan-
dard for parties with a lot of teenage and tweenage
guests.
But be sure whoever is playing the music is sensi-
tive to your adult guests because they want to have
fun, too.
Live music is another option, and can add a spe-
cial feel to a party as only a live performance can.
A recent wedding we attended had dueling pianists
playing favorites. Guests could perform karaoke, and
a DJ was playing music between sets. It was a blast.
Edward Chudnow of West Bloomfield has played
in several bands over the years and also has hired
bands. He says it's very important to be clear and
comfortable with all the arrangements when booking
a band.
"You need to come to an understanding with the
band that the occasion is the most important thing;
the band is not why people are coming," Chudnow
says. "Also, be sure you get along with the person you
are talking to. There should be some kind of chemis-
try and shared vision."
Begin by discussing the type of music you're look-
ing for, the type of event, the nature of your guests
and audience, and your budget. Look for a band that
has a diverse playing style and a large repertoire of
popular and well-played songs. Be sure to ask plenty
of questions and take good notes on each band.
Sometimes it might be best to go with a broker
who handles many different kinds of bands. They can
help you decide what you are looking for and recom-
mend the best bands to meet your needs.
A broker is not necessarily more expensive
because often they can cut better deals with the
band than a customer can directly. And they are
there to help should problems arise.
But if you know what you want or feel the chemis-
try, dealing directly with the band can be fine, too.
"Get a contract, agree on the songs you want
played, what you want from the band, if they can
take requests or play originals, and be clear on the
hours and the costs," Chudnow recommends.
These suggestions hold true with a disc jockey or
party professionals, too.
"Be clear if you're looking for background music,
how you'll handle Jewish and other special dances
and songs, and what role you want them to play,"
Chudnow says. "You don't want to be surprised."
Always check out the band or DJ ahead of time at
a rehearsal or at another event. While an audition
tape or video can look and sound great, they can be
made with high-tech equipment that is not represen-
tative of a live performance. While most bands try to
capture their actual sound and look, what you see
might not be actually what you get.
Here are some other things to keep in mind:
•Plan to book your music one to three months
in advance for most parties, though for weddings,
bat and bar mitzvahs and holiday parties, six to 12
months is a good guideline. Waiting longer generally
means that fewer acts will be available, or the spe-
cific DJ or party professional you want will be booked
elsewhere.
•Coordinate everything with the folks where the
party will be held. What equipment is on site —
stage, dance floor, sound system, lighting, etc. — and
what will need to be brought in? How much time
is needed for set-up and breakdown? Where will
loading and unloading be done, and when? Can the
electrical needs be met?
•Be crystal clear on costs and be sure any on-
the-spot decisions come back to you or whoever
you designate. How many hours will they play?
What about overtime? What happens if the event is
canceled or the band cancels? Is the band or staff
expecting to eat and drink?
With proper attention to the details beforehand,
the music at your event can help make it a great
success and loads of fun. So avoid surprises and
save the last dance for me.