What can I expect at a Simple Gifts concert?
| |
The concert will be fun, educational, multi-cultural, and appropriate for all ages. When the audience enters the hall, they'll see twelve instruments set up and artistically arranged on stage. One by one, we'll play the instruments, explain their history and background, and introduce the audience to different ethnic sounds. Throughout it all, we try to maintain a sense of humor and to communicate our excitement to the audience. |
What does the music sound like?
| |
Our programs include a great deal of variety, both in instrumentation and musical genre. You can listen to some sound clips of our music, or we'd be happy to send a CD if that's easier for you. |
What workshops are available?
| |
We love doing workshops. Workshops give us a chance to interact with and feel that we've become a part of your community. Workshops are available for children, college students, the general public, and amateur musicians. See the workshops page for details. |
What happens at a one-day, two-day, or three-day residency?
| |
We're very flexible about what can be included in each residency and will work with you to design a program that is best for your community. Typical residencies might include:
One Day Residency: One or two workshops for children or college students in the afternoon. Evening concert. Post-concert workshop gives audience a chance to talk one-one-one with the musicians and to try some of the instruments.
Two Day Residency: First morning a third grade class learns to clog and then performs with Simple Gifts during an assembly program that follows. Students at the assembly learn about the instruments, musical styles, and world cultures. Afternoon workshop for middle school guitar or violin players. Second day, workshop for amateur musicians (all instruments and levels) to play together and work on performance techniques. Evening concert includes a piece with those who attended the afternoon workshop. Post-concert jam session where amateur musicans play together and the audience is encouraged to sing or play percussion instruments. In several communities, this sort of session with Simple Gifts led to a monthly, community-run jam session.
Three Day Residency: First day, morning session to teach 50 sixth graders to play spoons, followed by an assembly program where they perform with Simple Gifts. Afternoon lecture/performance for a college level music, history, or women's studies class. Second day, afternoon with high school or college students in the band or orchestra teaching them a Romanian or Klezmer tune and letting them try some of the instruments. Evening program for a seniors' residence or women's shelter with plenty of discussion and interaction. Third day, noontime concert at the business of one of the area's major arts supporters. Early evening, the spoons players from day 1 meet with Simple Gifts for a short rehearsal. Evening concert includes the children. After the concert, we talk informally with the children and their parents and encourage the children to pursue music.
|
Should I have the trio or duo?
| |
Simple Gifts is available as either a duo or trio. Whenever possible, we prefer to perform as the full trio but if your budget is limited, you might want to consider having two musicians. |
What are Simple Gifts' technical needs?
| |
The trio requires 8 to 9 mics on boom stands, a tuned piano, and 4 monitors with 3 mixes. The duo requires 5 mics on boom stands and 2 monitors with 2 mixes. A qualified sound technician who is experienced with acoustic instruments is needed during the sound check and throughout the concert. More details are specified on the trio tech sheet and duo tech sheet. If you prefer, Simple Gifts can provide this equipment and a technician to run it. Contact us for information. |
What will it cost?
| |
Unfortunately in today's economic climate, this is everyone's first question. The answer ... "it depends." The cost is based on the number of musicians, the length and complexity of our visit, the distance we'll need to travel, and whether we'll be supplying the sound system. We'll do our best to work within your budget, so please contact us to discuss pricing. |
What grants are available?
| |
Since Simple Gifts is a member of the PennPAT roster, your best bet for funding is to apply for a PennPAT grant. We make an effort to keep current of other grant opportunities, so please contact us to discuss the options. |
Tell me more about the PennPAT grant.
| |
A PennPAT grant may be available to fund up to 50% of our fee. To qualify, you must be a non-profit or unit of government in DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, or WV, and there needs to be a concert that is marketed to the public. Grant forms are available on the PennPAT site at http://www.pennpat.org. |
May I contact a reference?
| |
Contact us, as we'd like to provide a reference whose venue is similar to yours. You might also want to read some quotes about us or to see a list of places we've played. The list is available by state or by type of venue. |
When can I hear you play?
| |
If you're able to come out and hear us live, that's always a good idea. Listening to a CD can give you an idea of how we sound, but a live performance shows you our energy and ability to interact with an audience. See our tour schedule to find an event near you, then contact us. We will put you on our guest list, let you know about any additional workshops, and, if possibly, set aside time to chat with you. |
How do I get more information?
| |
Get in touch with us. If you're thinking of booking Simple Gifts, we will send you a CD and promotional kit, including workshop list, information on group members, quotes from other presenters, media reviews, and more. |
|