Dear family, friends, and clients,
Hope you and your family are safe and well. It’s been beyond slow for our music since late March, but we do have a good number of tented outdoor parties and weddings in August.
One of the things I am proudest of is the millions of dollars we have assisted in raising over the years by performing at philanthropic fund raisers. Unfortunately the evidence is now in, and virtual “Zoomed” events yield about one third to one half of the amount raised by traditional Galas. This has been devastating to the programs of these philanthropic endeavors in this particular time of need.
Many fall events have postponed or cancelled, but some charities are making plans for small indoor events limited, of course, by the various Government edicts. A few weddings will also occur with smaller indoor receptions (the “yield” of those invited vs.those attending will be much lower than usual).
Accordingly, we are sending out smaller bands to accommodate this. We are blessed to have a number of musicians who play two or even three instruments and in some cases also sing. So a trio or quartet can provide the wide range of sound of a bigger band. The band socially distances and we reverse the usual placement of the band putting those who play and don’t sing (and wear masks) in the front and horn players or singers (who can’t wear masks)) in the back.
(SEE OUR ATTACHED PHOTOS OF RECENT EVENTS.)
We are also been offering a new service, singing a HAPPY BIRTHDAY or ANNIVERSARY song virtually. I was originally approached by an online service that does this called Cameo, but you as “friends & family” can book it directly Usually I reprise the first song from their wedding reception. In one case we virtually saw them dancing-very moving indeed!) Yesterday I sang “Night & Day” from a young man to a woman who he is courting. We have a follow up scheduled with my female vocalist when he plans to propose!
I love to sing and it keeps my pianist working. Since we just started this, it is currently very affordable. And speaking of singing, I have used this time to train my voice virtually with a former lead singer from the Met.
Hope our paths will cross on or off the dance floor soon and let’s hope that before too long our children get to school, we can worship with others, our businesses re-open, people get married surrounded by all of their friends and family, and what President George H. W. Bush once called our “thousand points of light” blaze again!
Best,
Alex Donner