Shout!
Otis Day (From National Lampoon’s “Animal House.”
Will they come back to the concert hall and pay full price for tickets?
We don’t know that definitively right now.
How can we help our chances of enjoying full houses?
Play better than ever before…
I know this is obvious, and I’m sorry: I know it goes without saying.
Except it doesn’t seem to be happening consistently.
Recently, however, I heard a “live” performance of the Philadelphia Orchestra playing the world premiere of “7 O’Clock Shout” by Valerie Coleman, conducted by Yanick Nezet-Seguin.
This innovative and hopeful work, brilliantly written to reflect the world we currently we live in, received a highly communicative and joyful performance by the orchestra.
This performance reminded me that very few things can stand in the way of committed musicians everywhere.
As I listened, I felt two other emotions: it was a joy to hear a new work composed by a friend.
The other feeling? I can’t wait to attend a live concert as soon as humanly possible, and I will also happily pay, without hesitation, the regular ticket price.
I enjoyed something similar the same day when I heard members of the Manhattan Chamber Players play Brahms FAE Violin Sonata and a Dvorak Romance for Violin and Piano (Francesca dePasquale and Adam Golka), followed by the Brahms “Clarinet” Trio (violist Molly Carr, cellist Oded Hadar and pianist Anna Petrova).
Again, I am eager to attend a concert when it’s safe and, and I will pay, without hesitation, the regular ticket price.
One more idea to really make your online performance stream really sing:
Think like a radio listener or concert audience member. My radio colleague Robert McBride says it best:
If you're presenting any kind of online musical performance, whether singing or playing an instrument, either sing or play your instrument at the top of the show! DO NOT spend several minutes talking before offering some kind of actual demonstration of your talent. Of course you have interesting things to say, but please don't say too much too soon. I want to hear you play or sing, NOT talk. And talk and talk and talk. And then talk some more. Spread those comments around, and be careful not to lump too many of them together at once, especially at the beginning of any presentation. (Tip from the radio business: if you think you talked for thirty seconds, chances are good it was more like sixty.)
I agree – we “want to hear you play or sing, not talk” as much, and if you think you talked for one minute, chances are good it was more like 2 ½ - 3 minutes.
Think about it from the concert going experience:
Remember that concert you attended where the first notes were heard after an on-stage greeting, donor thank you, summary of the good work the hosting organization does for its community, mention of upcoming events and then the concert overview? The first notes came at 8:13 pm.
To quote Jenny Bilfield, President-CEO of Washington Performing Arts, “No one signed up for that.”
The next time you perform your online concert stream, perhaps you will be inspired by the title of Valerie Coleman’s new work: “7 O’Clock Shout.”
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Otis Day and the Knights was created as a fictional band to perform in the 1978 movie National Lampoon's Animal House. They are best known for their version of "Shout" and "Shama Lama Ding Dong". Both songs were sung by Lloyd G. Williams, and lip synched by DeWayne Jessie in the film. Backing vocals were provided by Melvin Britt and Sidney Juston. "Shout" was written by the Isley Brothers. Otis Day was played by Jessie, brother of Young Jessie of The Coasters. Robert Cray was one of the members of the band, seen playing bass in the movie.