House concerts are an increasingly popular venue for
performers like us. Hearkening back to the salon era,
when music was presented in people's parlors, they are
intimate and satisfying encouters between performer
and audience, and a great alternative to the usual
way people go out to hear music.

And they are relatively easy to produce and host.

This page wqas added to our website to let you know
that we enjoy doing them and to encourage you to
perhaps consider hosting.

So, what's involved?

Below is a succint guide that should answer most
questions.

If this is something that interests you, please let us
know. (We'll work with you and help you get it right.)

Orrin

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OVERVIEW*

A House Concert is a great way to hear good music.  It's just what
it sounds like...a concert in someone's house.  Here's how it works:

Many traveling musicians are looking for fill-in dates (often on weeknights)
around their venue appearances.  An increasingly popular way to fill this
need is the "House Concert".  Someone with an interest in live music, and
a room/space that will hold 30-50 people comfortably, books the performer
and invites their friends in for a show.  Here are the essentials (beyond which
there's plenty of room for creative variation):

SPACE -- You'd be amazed how many people can fit in a modest sized
living room in relative comfort!  It's a concert - NOT a party with music - so
people won't need room to move around and socialize except before and
after the show and during the break in the middle (if you and the artist
decide to have a break).  Depending on the number of folks attending you
can simply rearrange your existing seating or bring in folding chairs, etc.  
Some folks have the audience bring their own folding chairs (but it's probably
better to set up your own so that you can control the layout).  Don't have a
suitable room in your house?  Talk a GOOD friend into volunteering theirs!
 One more thing on space -- Parking.  In many neighborhoods you can fit a
lot more people in your living room than you can cars in your driveway.

LAYOUT -- There needs to be a "stage" area for the performer.  This can be
as simple as a rug, or something more elaborate.  The main thing is that the
audience should be able to see and hear the performer without distractions...
so don't set things up where late arrivals, or guests needing the restroom, will
have to pass back and forth between the performer and the audience.  The
performer will also need to get to and from the "stage" without climbing over folks.

SOUND -- Depending on the size of the audience, many house concerts are
done without sound equipment.  When the room and the audience are small
this is great; if the room is large or acoustically challenging, or the group is
big, it may be necessary to use sound.  Many traveling performers carry a small P.A. system with them.  This is a decision best left to the performer.

LIGHTING -- This need not be elaborate - but it is critical.  The goal is that
the audience be able to see the performer clearly without shining bright lights directly in the performer's face!  Dim the house lights.  Dim the background lights.  It's best not to black out the room entirely though.  One or two inexpensive clip-on lights - mounted near and ABOVE the performer - and you're all set .  You may have adequate lighting in place already (track lighting can be adapted very easily if it's already in the right place).

MONEY -- We love what we do, and we also have to make a living at it. Typically house concert guests pay $15 to $20 each.  If you have 30 guests that's $450 to $600, and combined with CD sales it makes a profitable evening for the artist.  
Some presenters take a cut.  Some don't.  I don't know anyone who presents
house concerts and expects to make money on the deal.  It has to be for the
love of the music.  Sort this out with the performer in advance to avoid
misunderstandings.

REFRESHMENTS -- Some folks provide light refreshments (and some take the cost out of the "gate").  Some folks encourage guests to bring along their favorites to share.  And some folks make it a full-fledged "pot luck" before or after the show.

AUDIENCE -- There are two types of house concerts: public and private.
In either case, you would need to try and get as many of your friends and associates to come as possible. With a private house concert (some folks aren't comfortable having folks they don't know in their houses) we require a guaranteed fee. For public house concerts (ie those that we will be promoting
via our email lists and other internet forums as well) we are a little more flexible (especially on weekdays).

The important thing is that you take reservations and ask those who express interest to commit to attending - since seating is limited.

If you're in the right place and can make your house and your friends
available on a date that suits the performer's schedule, you can get some
GREAT music in your home.  

ps any workable space will do for a "house concert" - it doesn't actually
have to be in a house.

orrinstar.com--------jimmygaudreau.com