F.A.Q. – Frequently Asked Questions…
Please note: This page is in the process of being edited today – August 27th, 2018.
How many musicians perform with Ariel or Heartbeat?
Ariel and Heartbeat are available with as many as twelve or more musicians with an eight band member minimum for a Saturday night event. We offer both bands in a smaller size for less popular dates. If you need something smaller, just ask us! We’ll let you know what we may be able to do for you…
Your band’s size should be based upon the size of the room where your special event will take place, the kind of music you would like the band to play, the number of guests that will be attending and your budget. We take all these factors into consideration before recommending the optimum number of musicians for your event.
Will the musicians that I hire be the same musicians who perform at my party? Are you an agency or a band?
Both Ariel and Heartbeat are bands, i.e. “set groups”, which means that the same musicians appear at all of their performances. This ensures that the band sounds “tight” and well-rehearsed, unlike most agency bands which are assembled from a roster of available musicians. Years of playing together allows a band to have a special chemistry and a lot of depth to their repertoire.
Ariel and Heartbeat’s band members are all full-time career musicians with extensive experience, training and credits in the music business. Many of their musicians have performed with some of the world’s biggest stars.They have been carefully chosen for their talent, dedication to their craft, discipline, reliability plus a mandatory great attitude that pours their heart into each and every wedding or special event that they play! There are no “do overs” in this business! It has got to be right every time!
Ariel and Heartbeat Dance band are both bands that are represented by musicians that were formally in the band Ariel. If you see a company that claims to be a “band” and yet they offer “bands from 3 – 17 musicians”, they are not a true band. Bands don’t have that much flexibility, only a large roster of musicians can allow for that kind of flexibility in the “band’s” size.
The ages of our guests will vary considerably. Can your band play all types of music?
Choosing the right music is essential as you plan your special event. We invite you to choose from a vast array of songs spanning the swing era through today’s current hits. Our clients let us know what music they prefer by selecting their favorite songs from our song list, thereby creating their party’s unique repertoire. Our song list is constantly being updated as we regularly add great songs, both old and new. Also check out Elizabeth’s article, “Choosing Wedding Reception Music: Bridging The Generation Gap“, which includes more tips and advice on selecting wedding music.
Will the band learn a special song for me?
If you don’t see your special song on our song list, just let us know and we will learn it for you. We ask you to provide us with four weeks notice, a youtube link of your song and sheet music, if it is available. We highly recommend the following websites for finding & purchasing sheet music online: If you can’t find the music, we’ll find it for you or we will write a music arrangement for the band. This service is included in the fee that you pay for the band.
Any “band” that encourages you to play your special song on MP3 so that it sounds like the “original artist” is looking to save themselves the trouble of learning your special songs. You can always have an MP3 if you prefer to hear the original track, but if you want a live version of your special song, we will put the time in to deliver a great rendition!
Musicnotes.com
Sheetmusicdirect.com
Ariel will perform your song with the quality that you would expect from the original artists. Our band features 6 lead vocalists which gives us great versatility and allows us to cover an extensive range of musical styles with authenticity.
What kind of music will be played during dinner?
Our band’s breaks always coincide with the service of the various food courses. You can choose to have pre-recorded music played or our small ensembles can provide live background music while your guests enjoy their food. For a more detailed description of the way breaks work, please read, “About Breaks”.
Will the band perform at a volume that is comfortable for me and for my guests?
It is important that the band’s volume should not interfere with the guests’ ability to talk at their tables and their enjoyment of the party. We come with top-of-the-line sound reinforcement and two sound technicians to insure the room is being filled with the correct amount of volume, high quality audio and a balanced EQ.
It is Ariel’s commitment and promise to perform at a volume that is comfortable for our audience. Our clients include numerous exclusive catering halls and country clubs who recommend Ariel based upon our consistent ability to perform with elegance, versatility and energy at a volume which allows conversation to go on easily.
Where can I find a list of venues where you have performed?
Simply follow the links below.
New York Venue Listing
New Jersey Venue Listing
Connecticut Venue Listing
Can you offer me any additional advice as I plan my event?
Absolutely! Be sure to check out the planning section of our website to learn more. We also offer event planning services at an hourly rate, and “day of” services at a daily rate. Let our many years of working with clients at special events ensure that your day is well organized and stress-free!
You may also find the following articles, written by members of Ariel, to be helpful as you plan your special event.
Tips On Selecting a Wedding Band or DJ
by Elizabeth Greene
Choosing Wedding Reception Music: Bridging the Generation Gap by Elizabeth Greene
Capturing The Perfect Live Sound At Your Wedding
by Chris Czerw.