Party Planning? Remember the Music.

Thanks in advance for reading this article. I appreciate your interest and hope you get a few good ideas. I'd love to hear what you liked. Please write me a little COMMENT below. Start a conversation. Tell me what you think, and I'll reply. Promise.
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Party Planning? You want it memorable, right?

Well, your successful event won’t happen by itself.  You need to arrange a few details.

Which details?  Theme? Guests?  Food?  Drinks?  Decor?  Location?

And what else?

If you’d ask me, I’d remind you about the music.

I know a thing or two about party planning — especially about the music.  I can give you tips for selecting the music, to make party planning easy.  Let me give you an example.

First, a little story.

For me the music most often makes any party memorable.  Often, but not always.

See us in this photo?   We recently entertained at this company holiday party in McArthur Park restaurant, in Palo Alto.  Great to work with Catering Manager, Barbara Schroeder, long-time colleague in Silicon Valley NACE.

What a wonderful evening!  Over a hundred people enjoyed a great meal, drinks, conversations, some dancing, and of course, music to suit the celebration.

We’re sitting way in the back, by the painting of an apple.

Apple was on my mind the minute I walked in a few hours earlier.

One of the first times I played in McArthur Park was at a Superbowl party, January 22, 1984. Everyone watched the Los Angeles Raiders demolish the Washington Redskins, 38–9.

In the third quarter, during a quick break in the music, I glanced up at the TV to see the score.  Commercial break.  I saw THE Apple commercial, “1984”, announcing the first MacIntosh.  Depicting the MacIntosh’s arrival demolishing the ominous prospect of Big Brother and 1984, as George Orwell described it.  WOW!

I was surprised!  Stunned!  At the time, I’d been using an Apple IIe for about a year, and it wasn’t long before I replaced it with a new MacIntosh.

I’m sure the party’s music was outstanding that afternoon, but I remember nothing about it today.

What keeps that party memorable for me was that astonishing TV commercial.  The striking images and the vivid metaphor.

Have you ever seen that commercial?  Where were YOU when you first saw it?

Where am I going with this? Well, that party is a rare exception for me.  I pay attention to music all the time. I probably remember something about the music from nearly every party I’ve entertained at.

It could be any of a hundred details.  A First Dance selection, a company theme song, a sentimental favorite at an anniversary party, or what song first got everyone dancing.

Or a surprise request from one of the guests.

I almost always remember something special about a party’s music. Often what makes the music stand out is the element of SURPRISE.  Anything unexpected and fun.

Include a surprise in your next party.  Have us play fanfares before toasts.  Or parade your guests from one location to the next.  Have your Guest Of Honor sing.  Or have your guests sing to the GOH.  Maybe even a song with your GOH’s name in the title.  Sky’s the limit!

So here’s a tip for arranging the music in your party planning.  One sure-fire way to create a memorable party:  Include a surprise — a musical surprise!

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Thanks for reading this article. I appreciate your interest and hope you get a few good ideas here. Got one or two? I'd love to hear what you liked. Please write me a little COMMENT below. Start a conversation -- I'll reply. Promise.

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Meanwhile, the Magnolia Jazz Band entertains at weddings and parties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. If you are ever nearby, you’ll love catching us in action, seeing and hearing us create a great mood.

How can I help you? Call 408-245-9120 or use Robbie@MagnoliaJazz.com. Planning a celebration? Ask about our availability.

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