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‘Band School’ Teaches Musicians How to Keep a Party Flowing PHILADELPHIA – Between choosing the proper location, food and entertainment for a wedding reception or party, considering how the event will unfold often gets lost in the mix.
But without someone to direct the flow of a party, big moments – like a mother’s dance with the groom – sometimes never happen. Even little things, like planning for dancing in between courses so that the guests don’t get too full, too fast, can become big problems when it means guests are too stuffed to want to get up and dance.
“What most people don’t realize is that the flow of their party can really make the difference between a memorable occasion and one that is just so-so,” said Eddie Bruce, co-owner of Eddie Bruce Entertainment (EBE). “So it’s important to give some thought to how the event will flow, from beginning to end.”
After 25 years of entertaining, Eddie Bruce ought to know. Having performed at thousands of parties, Bruce has developed a keen eye for the ingredients that make up a great soiree. Bruce, along with fellow business partners and musicians Mike Gendler and Steve Meranus, is now passing that knowledge on to the performers who belong to EBE’s various dance bands and musical ensembles.
‘Band School’ Focuses on the Art of Great PartiesThrough a “band school” that meets once a month, EBE is setting its performers apart by training them in the art of partying. Where most entertainers simply focus on the music, EBE’s band leaders are learning how to plan for a great party and be alert for potential problems.
“We’re the only entertainment company around that has a ‘band school’ for its musicians. They’re not learning how to play instruments, they’re learning how to run a party,” said Gendler.
Band leaders are trained to begin by meeting with clients well in advance of their event to discuss how the day or night will unfold. Everything from the meal to the announcements to the music and dancing is discussed so that the band leader can get a sense of what the client wants.
Developing a Party FlowchartFrom there, EBE band leaders come up with a kind of flowchart, or script, of how the reception or party will take place. Clients sign off on the flowchart. From there, EBE band leaders are sure to coordinate with the banquet planner or caterer to be sure those vendors also know what the client wants.
In addition to organizational skills, band leaders are taught to look out for potential problems and obstacles.
“It’s critical for band leaders to be alert during the party,” said Meranus, who is leader of the band Dreamtime. “It’s like being a quarterback. Sometimes your plays get called in from the bench, and sometimes you make plays based on the moment you’re in at the time. You need to keep your eyes open to everything that’s happening around you.”
For example, band leaders need to be watching guests to see how close they are to finishing various courses of the meal so they can determine when it’s appropriate to begin playing dance music, rather than dinner music. Or, they may want to be on the lookout for photographers and videographers at wedding receptions, so that they can make sure both are in the room when the band starts playing the song for the bride and groom’s first dance.
Vendors and Clients Agree: EBE’s Eye for Planning is a PlusThis unique approach makes EBE a favorite with Philadelphia area’s top planners, as well as clients.
Brian Kappra, an event planner who is president of Evantine Design, has worked with Eddie Bruce for the last 20 years at different events. He watched Bruce deliver a poignant tribute at a charity fundraiser after realizing that the dinner entrée was not going to make it out to guests on time. It provided a seamless transition so that guests did not notice the delay.
“That kind of talent and intuition is important. It’s the difference between hiring a good band and a great band,” said Kappra. “I tell people when they are looking at bands to look beyond the performance aspect and consider whether or not the band has that other element – the ability to run a show. It doesn’t just happen. Without planning, there can be awkward gaps and hiccups.”
For David Rosnov, there were no awkward gaps and hiccups at his son’s bar mitzvah. In fact, guests told him the next day they were sore from dancing so much to the music of Dreamtime, one of EBE’s bands.
Rosnov was also impressed with the service. Dreamtime’s band leader, Meranus, sat down with him and his son to determine their likes and dislikes, and contoured the event around them.
“They have such a good feel for what people want. They felt the vibes of the crowd and responded,” said Rosnov. “They were just over the top.” |
