Wednesday, November 10, 2010

How to Use Live Music at Your Holiday Party and Not Go Into Debt

Looking for a unique way to include music in your holiday plans, but you’re concerned about the cost? Never fear, you can still have music, and it doesn’t need to be the canned variety. Here are some tips:

1. Hold your party on a weekday or weeknight—Extended lunch or after work office parties can make your parties more affordable. Professional bands and musicians may give you a discount when your party doesn’t land on busy holiday weekends. After all, there are only four weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, but there are oodles of weekdays to choose from.

2. Make your party a fundraiser, too—Why not raffle off some donated gifts for a good cause? Collect cookies for overseas soldiers or canned food for the hungry? Fundraisers bring out the best in party providers—Your musicians, your caterers, and others may offer you a discount for helping to make your fundraiser a success.

3. Go to the schools—Can’t afford a professional musician or band? Go to your local music store for suggestions from music teachers. Hire student musicians from the local college to play at your party. Ask the local community madrigal group or the local 6th grade chorus to sing carols to your guests. You get the idea...

4. Get your guests into the act—The holidays are a great time for everyone to revel. Print up lists of common holiday songs and carols. Invite a soloist (a pianist or guitarist, for instance) to accompany your guests and get everyone singing in the right key. That soloist can even be a member of your guest list. Great tip: a soloist charges a lot less money than an entire band or ensemble. A soloist may even be cheaper than a DJ!

I’ve just gotten started on this list. Do you have some additional wonderful, inexpensive options for including live music in your holiday festivities? We’d love to hear about them....

Cheers,
Anne :-)

And if you are interested in having me perform at your party, contact me and check this out.

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