Organising with a laptop. Using technology and music for the perfect event
When you attend a large celebration it can seem as if they are fairly simple affairs to organise. It is not until you are faced with the task of coordinating food, drink, entertainment and the booking of a suitable venue yourself that it becomes apparent how much there is to do. If live music is going to feature at your event then musicians usually need to be booked well in advance as the best ones are in great demand. Using software like a simple spreadsheet application with a basic notebook can make keeping track of everything a lot easier. Because all modern portable computers come with a variety of options for connecting to the internet, it is possible to stay in touch with the caterers and other companies wherever you may be. The style of music that you choose will of course depend mainly on the type of function that is being held. A heavy metal band would probably not be the best choice for a 50th wedding anniversary party for example. If you prefer to travel light then a netbook might be more suitable for your mobile computing needs. They are still more than powerful enough to run all the software you will use to organise your event but are lighter and smaller than other types of portable PC. Musicians often find then useful as they can be slipped into an instrument bag and used to check on upcoming gigs and deal with any new booking requests they receive.
The acoustics
The sound quality when you have music at a venue is affected by the acoustics of the room. With a multimedia laptop and a decent set of external speakers it is possible to run some tests before the day and try to work out the best position for the equipment that the band or DJ will be using. The latest computers of this type come with surround sound capability so it is possible to rig up a number of speakers to try out various configurations. Apart from acoustic considerations there is the visual aspect to consider as well and in order for the band to be able to plan ahead, a digital camcorder can be used to shoot footage of the room in which they will be playing so they can start to think about the lighting and any other effects that they may wish to employ. With models that can shoot high resolution film they will be able to get a very clear picture of the venue. They will of course need a screen that is capable of displaying the footage in its native resolution but many people have already upgraded to or are thinking about buying an LCD TV that can show hi-def films and television broadcasts. There are several different types, the newer ones having a faster, more effective refresh rate. Modern bands may use large screens as part of their stage display so you should check there will be ample room for them at your venue.
The view
If you decide to have a well known group play at your celebration and it will be held in a very large hall or perhaps even a theatre then it may be worth thinking about placing several of the larger LCD television units available on the market around the hall so that everybody can see close-up shots of the musicians in action. As they have a wider viewing angle than conventional sets they are perfect for such occasions. Certain venues may have tiered seating but it is still nice to be able to see what the people on stage are doing, as for those at the back of the hall the musicians can look like little more than dots in the distance. If they are seated near to a large high definition TV then they will not be able to complain that they missed out on all the action. Although such sets come with their own quality sound systems it is best to mute them at musical events or the result with be a confusing mix coming from all directions. For the home they are good though as the high end models provide audio quality far better than that of older units. If you regularly attend musical events and functions then something else that you could buy for your home is a DVD recorder so that you do not miss out on your favourite programmes. Recording to discs is much more convenient than tape as they take up less space.
The technology
The facilities that the people providing the musical entertainment at your event require will depend on what sort of music they are playing of. A classical quartet for example, will need a lot less electrical equipment than a modern band using keyboards, synthesisers and a complicated mixing board. Whatever the style of music though, any group will look better on a decent HD TV as long as the input signal is in high definition as well. When viewing recordings on DVD, even if they were not made in high resolution there are some disc players that can upscale the picture to near hi-def quality. For family celebrations it is nice to have a record of the evening so it might be worth hiring a professional photographer who can make a good film of the event for you to watch whenever you wish. If you take pictures yourself then they can be edited on a laptop before taking to a shop for developing. It is possible to print photographs out on home printers as well but unless you have a particularly good one the results can be disappointing and it usually ends up costing more than having them done at a shop. With the electronic equipment available today and the many good quality musicians that can be booked online, organising a large family celebration or corporate event is much easier than it used to be. As long as you have contingency plans for cancellations and technical problems, everything should be fine.
Testimonials
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Jeremy Vine (BBC Radio 2)
M&IT Awards
"Finger Mouse were brilliant - young, cool, and the most brilliant musicians. They made the joint rock! I hope to work with them again.”
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Lindsey Brown
Wedding Reception
"Dear Patrick, I just wanted to say thanks to you and to Lucinda (harpist) for all you did to make our wedding party so special. Lucinda was fantastic (if a little too good looking for a prima donna bride's tastes!!) and lots of guests commented on her performance and the wonderful atmosphere she created. You were equally professional and reassuring throughout the whole process, for which many thanks.”
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Michael McCotter
Private Party
"Dear Patrick, I’d like to pass on my thanks to Catherine and yourself for helping make my party such a success. Catherine’s performance was fantastic and more than I could have expected. Please pass on my thanks to her, she looked great and sounded excellent.”
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Julie Goodwin (P&MM Events)
Corporate Event
"Kelly Dickson was excellent, the sound level and quality just right fitting in perfectly with the venue and atmosphere. Kelly made a big impression on the delegates... and and they were still talking about her days later!!”