Party Planning: Music Basics

If it's done right, music will energize your party and inspire guests to get down on the dance floor. Here are some notes to keep in mind.

Finding Your Muse
The best way to find the perfect band or DJ for the party? Firsthand knowledge. Have you been to a bash where the band kept the guests grooving all night long? Were you all smiles until the very last dance? Get the band's name and contact info. Alternatively, poll your friends: Have they been to an event with great music? Word of mouth is still the best way to get the best musicians.

The Size Factor
Consider your room's size and your crowd. A tight space won't fit a 22-piece orchestra, and a three-piece combo may not cut it for 200 people.

What It Costs
Music fees are dictated by city, number of performers, day of the week, and time of day. A DJ generally costs less than a band. On average (for a four- or five-hour fete), you'll pay $1,300 to $10,000 for a band, while a DJ range would be more like $350 to $3,500. The more pieces in your band, the higher the cost.

Act Now
Top talent, be it the kickin-est DJ in town or the local pub's liveliest Irish trio, can be booked up to a year in advance. The sooner you make arrangements, the better your chances of landing exactly the act you want.

Time It Right
Bands and DJs are typically contracted for four or five hours, but if you think your celebration might last longer, consider booking them for more time up front. If you spontaneously decide to have them stay longer, you could incur steep overtime fees. You may be able to hire for the duration of the event (rather than for contracted hours), in which case you could avoid overtime charges.

Noise Restrictions
Check with your site manager: There may be time-of-day restrictions on music or limits on noise levels. Electric guitar, for example, might be totally out of the question. If you're throwing a party at your home, similar rules apply -- be considerate of your neighbors!

Give 'Em A Break
Keep in mind that your band or DJ may need to take a break during the night, so discuss how you'll want to fill this time. A DJ can just throw on a compilation CD of your favorite music, or you may be able to coordinate the band's break time with toasts or a game for the kids.

Talking Points
Do you want your DJ or bandleader to announce the Bar Mitzvah boy, parents, grandparents? Then arm him or her with information. Write down people's names (with pronunciations), roles (for parts of the night like candle lighting), and their relationship to the person being feted (Grandpa Charlie, Aunt Jane, and so on). If someone else will handle the task, make sure the entertainment knows their sole duty is turning out tunes. The band or DJ will also need to know how you want to handle all key dances -- the hora for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, or the dances the Quince girl performs with her court.

Fit the Vibe
Want 15-year-old cousin Jane, 46-year-old Auntie Lou, and 75-year-old Gramps to all boogie down together? Focus on variety. Ask your musicians or DJ to play songs that span several decades, from Big Band standards to Bob Dylan to the Backstreet Boys -- and everything in between. Kick off the night with intergenerational songs so popular that everyone will know and enjoy them: the Beatles, Sinatra, Aretha. As the evening progresses and curfew-bound relatives start to say adieu, feel free to rock the house with favorite age-appropriate tunes.

 

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