Music sets the tone for any event.  For sophisticated elegance, the harp or a string quartet set the tone.

For a dance and party atmosphere a band that performs the favorite songs of all your guests gets the party going.

Central Florida has every kind of event music available.  Now, it’s just deciding what is the perfect entertainment for your event. This article will provide some tips about hiring music for events.

Some factors to consider before shopping for and hiring musicians for events

• Do you want the music as background for conversation?  If so, start with the list for ambient background music below.
• Do you want background music at the beginning of the evening for dinner or cocktails and then transition into party music for a party atmosphere and/or dancing?  In this case the best choice might be a group that specializes in weddings and events because they specialize in meeting both needs.
• Do you want music for dancing? You can use the bands that specialize in events and weddings or you have many other choices of dance bands.  The bands that specialize in events and weddings will be able to play all styles and other dance bands will play just one or two styles.
• Do you want the music to include a show to entertain your guests?  There are many different kinds of show entertainment, everything from dance shows to bringing in a famous entertainer.  Having a show, and what kind of show, can often depend on your budget.
• How large is you venue and party?  A small room will often dictate the size of music ensemble or band because of space and volume.  Although, you can hire e a large band that specializes in events for a small room.  They are adept at bringing, and controlling, the right sound reinforcement to keep the sound from blowing your guests out of the room.
• What is your budget for music?  This will effect the instrument choices and number of musicians in your band or ensemble.  When hiring musicians for events, groups charge according to the number of musicians that they will be paying.  Large instruments like drums and harp usually charge somewhat more per musician.   Bands or singers needing amplification include in the band fee a cost for using, bringing and setting up equipment.  The number of hours that you decide to use music can sometimes save you some money although it is a misconception that one hour will cost 1/4 of what four hours would be.  Once a musician is booked for your event for the evening they usually can not fit another performance in and so you are paying for the evening minimum.   If your event is at an unusual time/day you can sometimes get savings compared to a Saturday night in peak season.

Below are lists of music ensembles and bands that I believe work very well for special events and parties.  All of these musicians and bands can be found in Orlando and Central Florida.

For themed event music see blog  “Great Wedding and Party Themes” below.

Event with ambient background music

• Brass Quartet: Two trumpets, trombone and tuba.  Some ensembles vary instrumentation.
• Brass Quintet: Two trumpets, french Horn, trombone and tuba for a slightly more full sound than Brass Quartet.
• String Quartet: Two violins, viola and cello, gives a sophisticated elegant feel.
• Harpist
• Harp and Flute Duet
• Solo Violinist
• Violin duo
• String trio
• Violinist with piano, guitar, harp or organ
• Fanfare Trumpets: The long trumpets used to announce royalty.  Used to announce changes in the evening such as moving from the cocktail hour to dinner or that an silent auction is ending.
• Jazz Guitarist
• Classical Guitarist
• Guitarist performing a mix of music including light classics, jazz, standards and pop.
• Classical Pianist
• Jazz Pianist
• Pianist performing a mix of music including light classics, jazz, standards and pop.
• Italian Tenor
• Singer with piano, guitar, or harp
• Singer performing pop or jazz accompanied by guitar or piano or ensemble of guitar bass and drums or piano, bass and drums
• Jazz Combo
• Woodwind Quintet: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and french horn
• Chamber Orchestra: combine the brass quintet and string quartet for a small orchestra
• String Orchestra
• Full Symphony Orchestra
• If you have something specific in mind for an event, any music ensemble that you can dream of is available in Central Florida and Orlando.

Event with the Entertainment as the Focal Point

You can use anything from a wedding/event variety band with multiple singers to a full blown Vegas show.  Some popular shows are:

• Swing Show with singers, dancers and a live band
• Vegas Dance Show
• Magician or comedian with band
• Interactive Variety Band:  A wedding/event band that has a huge amount of audience interaction.  The interaction includes things like playing a medley of surf/beach songs while dozens of beach balls are tossed over a volley ball net by guests, a rock tune while guests grab blow up guitars and take the stage, and music with twist and hula hoop contests.
• Celebrity Impersonator Show:  Blues brothers style act singing all of the movies big hits, Marilyn Monroe singing “I want to be loved by you”, “Happy Birthday” and other favorites, The Rat Pack with a live big band.
• Contortionist, Stilt Walkers, Caricature Artists, Face Painters, Clowns, Circus Acts, Balloon Makers and Character Actors

The sky is the limit for shows!

Event to include dancing

• An Event/Wedding band: This genre of band will be able to play music of all styles and eras to please all of your guests.  These bands also have expertise at functioning as the Master of Ceremonies (MC) to announce speakers, awards, auctions, etc.
• A Rock, Pop, Country, Salsa, Swing or other style band:  Remember that you will not get variety for your guests or the MC expertise
• Jazz Band or Combo: For a more mellow but still danceable approach.  I suggest getting one with a singer to please more guests.
• Orchestra, Society Orchestra or Big band: For ballroom dancing

Once you have defined your musical needs of background music, entertainment, show, dance music etc., theses lists can be helpful in hiring musicians for your event.

Think of Music Remembrance the next time you think of hiring music for your event. We have many professional event musicians available in all varieties so you will be able to find the perfect music for your event.