Posts filed under General
Wairarapa Lifestyle Magazine
Posted on March 21, 2011
The Autumn 2011 issue of Wairarapa Lifestyle magazine introduces me to its readers in the article "Tickling the Ivories" as part of the Wairarapa Wedding Guide feature.
My grateful thanks to the editor, Raewyn Watson, for inclusion in this quality magazine.
You can obtain your own copy of Wairarapa Lifestyle magazine from selected locations throughout the region, or you can read the page 58 article online by clicking on the image at right.
Online Survey
Posted on June 8, 2010
I have prepared a brief online survey as part of a Certificate in Small Business Management marketing module. Please take a moment to complete the survey by clicking on the link below. Thank you.
ONLINE SURVEY - LIVE BACKGROUND MUSIC
Waiararapa Times-Age
Posted on November 10, 2009
Received a mention in the Wairarapa Times-Age newspaper today following my People's Choice Awards win. A few errors in the story, but otherwise a fairly straight article and all good for helping raise my profile in the region. My thanks to Nathan Crombie of the Times-Age for the article, and to Mark Harris of Event Action for dobbing me in!
Background Music and the Dining Experience
Posted on June 22, 2009
The importance of having live background music in restaurants is often underrated by business owners who are only interested in the bottom line. And yet the value a live musician brings to the restaurant setting can have a subtle yet positive impact on that bottom line.
Background music serves the same function as do pleasing colours in the décor, without being as apparent. In a restaurant, however, both the selection and the volume of music call for something better than what is provided by the typical background music system. There are a number of reasons for this. Music in a restaurant serves several important functions:
- Conscious enjoyment of favourite melodies or familiar performances.
- Masking of private conversations from those at adjacent tables.
- Making an empty dining room feel less empty.
- Inducing relaxation and setting a mood consistent with the cuisine.
- Encouraging the staff to survive dull routine by providing enjoyment that does not interfere with their movements and interactions.
These functions require that the listener not have to strain to hear the music, yet not have to shout to be heard. Typical background music systems typically tend to achieve a subliminal effect, whereas one of a restauranteur's objectives is to have their patrons remember the music along with the meal and to recommend their restaurant because of that music.
Patrons often recall that the solo performances of a professional musician stand out as the epitome of pleasurable accompaniment to a relaxing evening meal - as much as a bottle of the finest wine with the most delicious selection of the choicest dish. If the instrumentalist is as skilled and as dedicated as the chef, and the dining room allows one both to watch and to listen to the performer, there is no better recommendation for a restaurant than to recall such an experience to friends afterward.
In addition, researchers have found that the presence and type of background music in a dining setting can have a profound effect on the behaviour and mood of patrons.
For example, one study found that different types of music had different effects on perceived atmosphere and the amount patrons were prepared to spend. Classical, jazz and popular music were associated with patrons being prepared to spend the most on their main meal. This value was found to be significantly lower in the absence of music.
Regarding the tempo, or pace, of music, it was found that patrons waiting in line for a period of time to be seated were more likely to leave if fast tempo music was being played. The average bar bill as well as the total bill average for meal and drinks was significantly higher (up to 30%) when slow music was played, whereas fast music had a negative effect on the very profitable bar tab!
Some researchers found that when calming instrumentals were played, most patrons even claimed that the food tasted better! Reportedly, they also had fewer digestive complaints.
One business professional concluded: "You put music on because you think it makes your restaurant better. You'd pay for it just like you pay for the flowers you put on your table. But it's not a lot of money and certainly not as much as you would pay for other ambience enhancers."
Music and Memories
Posted on June 14, 2009
Spent the day with friends and family in Wellington. Visited an old and dear friend dying of throat cancer. Spent time with my father at his rest home; he can't converse a great deal anymore, but it gave him (and others) a great deal of delight by my playing music of the 1920's and 1930's on the grand piano in the lounge. The smiles on the faces and tears in the eyes of the elderly when hearing music which transports them back to younger and happier times is a touching and rewarding experience for me, and I'm glad that I was encouraged from a young age to use what skills I have to impart a gift to others.
Wine and a Movie
Posted on June 4, 2009
Just received a bottle of White Cliff Merlot and Andre Rieu DVD (2008 Melbourne concert) along with a thank-you card from the very grateful parents of the couple whose engagement party I performed at on Sunday night.
Movie Themes
Posted on April 30, 2009
Compiling a repertoire of movie theme music to perform at a corporate function tomorrow night which has movies as its theme. Just added The Godfather Theme (Nino Rota). I was familiar with the tune but don’t recall having ever played it… until a few moments ago. Beautiful tune, now committed to memory, with a refreshing key change in the middle. Remember the theme from A Summer Place (Max Steiner)? I don’t recall ever seeing the film, but the theme music remains one of the most melodic melodies of the 1960’s. The most popular version was recorded by Percy Faith, which earned him a Grammy Award in 1961. A Summer Place was the first movie theme and the first instrumental to win a Record of the Year Grammy.
Declined Music Director Position
Posted on April 20, 2009
Was approached by a local theatre company to consider being music director for an upcoming production but have decided to decline the position due to other commitments.
Selecting Music for Wedding
Posted on March 27, 2009
Selecting music to play at a wedding function at Trentham Gardens in Wellington tomorrow.
Referral Bookings
Posted on March 26, 2009
Just accepted a referral booking for a corporate function. Word of mouth is still one of the best forms of advertising.