The Gift of Sound: Rhythm and music appeal to our senses and enhance the enjoyment of gatherings and shared experiences, connecting us culturally and socially. Do not overlook music or take it for granted when planning your celebrations. Music can serve as a subtle background element or take center stage as the focus of attention. Choosing between hiring a DJ, a live musician, or a band depends on personal preference and the nature of the event, with each option offering unique advantages. It can be as simple as using your favorite playlists with your home sound system or connecting to a venue's speakers. Digital music and technology allow us to have music with us everywhere—not just on the radio, boom box, or in our cars. We can surround ourselves with sound even in the great outdoors using wireless, portable speakers connected via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Over the past ten years, we have experienced, enjoyed, and shared a wide variety of music and sound with our clients at numerous events. We are fortunate to be located in an area with access to a wealth of local talent. Most recently, we had the unforgettable opportunity to feature accomplished Broadway performers singing at a wedding. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be up close and personal with such amazing talent, brought together locally byDan Micciche, who arranged forCarrie St LouisandJohn Riddleto perform. It was incredible to hear them sing "All I Ask of You" at a recent wedding—an unforgettable, emotional moment. Truly an Extra Sensory Event Experience. If you are lucky, you might catch them performing in Darien from time to time!
Music can be just as important as background sound at an event or as an enhancement to a ceremony, such as a wedding. In these circumstances, you may not want the music to be the focus, but rather to enhance the mood and complement the spirit of the event. While it might be common to consider a harpist for a wedding ceremony, have you ever thought of featuring the harp as the main musical performance during an intimate gala?
Lisa Tannebaum is an example of local talent who is an accomplished harpist. Both Lisa and her harp are beautiful and enchanting to watch, as she is as elegant as the instrument! She delighted the guests at a recent event by playing contemporary tunes on the harp. You would expect to hear classical music on the harp, but imagine our surprise when we recognized contemporary tunes! It added a whimsical and interesting element to the event. Her performance was the perfect fit and complement to the purpose of the gala and the location at the famous artist studio, The (Stuart) Yankel Legacy Gallery.
If the focus of your event is high energy and celebration, you need a band that can deliver just that! Match the music to the tone of the event. Keeping it local, The Short Bus is a legendary local band (follow them on Facebook!) known for their great, danceable rock and roll cover songs, performed with positive energy and genuine passion. They want you to enjoy your party and love every minute of it, and you can tell they mean it. They never disappoint! They are fun and easy to work with, which adds to the ease, comfort, and celebration of any joyous occasion.
What if you wanted your music to transport you to another location or carry out your theme? If you're looking for a summertime Jersey Shore vibe, we are grateful to a client for introducing us to the sounds of the Jersey Shore with a band called Mushmouth. Both bands, The Short Bus and Mushmouth, have the capacity to play background dinner music but can also ramp it up and entertain the audience with their music and flair, getting the crowd dancing and rocking, and transporting you back to the heyday of the Jersey Shore. Other examples of cover bands that might enhance a summertime or vacation theme include a Jimmy Buffet cover band or Steel Drums of the Caribbean. For the holidays, how about a bell choir? Music should not be overlooked when planning your event, as it can be the final detail that brings everyone together to have fun and share a common experience.
You might be thinking, what about a DJ? DJs can be just as entertaining and high-energy as a live band, or they can provide supportive background music. The choice depends on your venue and what makes the most sense for your event. One of my favorite musical enhancements is when the DJ is accompanied by a live performer, such as a percussionist, drummer, saxophonist, or electric violinist—whatever instrument best enhances the style of music you prefer and matches the energy of your event. For example, we have a wedding where the bride chose a violinist for her ceremony, and then the musician will accompany the DJ for the rest of the reception. You could also add Latin drums or bongos to the DJ performance for an authentic cultural vibe. It all comes down to personal choice and the emotion or tone you want to convey to your guests. The way your guests feel and experience the music will create a night to remember.
The team at Events by Marylee is happy to assist you in finding or creating just the right balance of sound and music to complement and enhance your special event or intimate gathering. Give us a call, and we would be happy to share our ideas and experiences with you, too!
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