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July 29, 2010
Hi Sarah,
I apologize for taking so long to write you as we just got back from our honeymoon. This is long overdue but I had some stuff to tell you…
AMAZING, INCREDIBLE, BEST BAND EVER, UNBELIEVABLE.
Those were just SOME of the words we are STILL hearing from all of our family and friends. I can not express enough thanks for how awesome you were and are. You made our wedding. Literally. You were so incredible from the moment we met you and exceeded any and all of the high expectations we had. We had such an amazing time at our wedding and that was solely to you and your band. You guys need to write some of your own music and come out with an album or something. You are too good! We want to thank you for everything you have done and for being so genuinely nice and caring. We would recommend you to all of our friends who need a band but we don’t have to. They heard for themselves. You can rest assured when (if) my 2 sisters ever get married my parents will definitely be giving you a call for their weddings. Thanks again for everything and we hope I get to see you/hear you guys again. Your Kelly Clarkson shout out to me at the end did not go unnoticed either!!
All the best and continued success,
Rachel and David Braverman
July 26, 2010
I was called upon to write a mission statement of Starlight Orchestras. I enjoyed a moment of delving into the spirit and essence behind what we do here, and got very excited to share these thoughts. I got on a major roll, and kept rolling. Although it was too long for a “tweet,” it was just perfect to put forth as an article. Very often people don’t realize the large scope behind what we do, and think it is just about being a “good band.” The band is just the first part of it. The magic then becomes about how we USE this wonderful band to create moods, weave contrast, orchestrate an evening.
So here is a peak behind the scenes about what motivates us and what we are always working toward…
STARLIGHT’S MISSION STATEMENT
To create excitement and celebration using music and live performance.
To knock your socks off!
To continue setting the standard for excellence and integrity in private party entertainment.
To weave a variety of musical environments throughout the course of an event; from the romance to the chic styling to the blowout party!
To uplift using music and performance.
To participate in bringing people’s dreams to reality.
To be an integral part of your happiest times.
To offer a musical work environment that musicians and performers are proud to be a part of.
To find new talent and put forth new ideas.
To spread and share love.
To do something better than it has been done before.
To continue to pose the question, “How Much Better Can This Be?” and then to go for it, against all odds!
To be on the Leading Edge of creating wonder.
To use music to heal, transcend and transform. (more on this another time!)
To exceed everyone’s expectations time and again.
To perform for people who know the difference.
To create a life opportunity where bandleaders can realize their potential as leaders, creative directors, students of human nature, musical mix-masters, intuitive artists creating music-in-motion that is ever-changing, ever-evolving.
And, lastly, to do our part in creating magical events.
We are so very grateful to our clients, musicians and performers who make it possible to continually achieve these goals, and to have the best time doing it!
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July 22, 2010
As I sat down this morning to write what I wanted to accomplish and create for myself, I was taken with how trivial some of these things seemed once I put them on paper. Of course I need to tend to these details of business and life, like finding the right office space for my company to thrive in, finding the resources to create new promotional tools and other things like that. I have taken the suggestion of Esther Hicks, as she speaks about “the Law of Attraction” and the practice of making two columns on a piece of paper, one called “Me To Take Care Of,” and the other “Universe to Take Care Of.” On the “me” side, I write everything that I need to do, and on the other side, I write all of the things that I would like to manifest, to unfold, to set forth my intentions and then let Life do its magic. With this practice, I try to be as specific as possible, yet to also leave room for possibilities that I cannot even imagine, and the belief that anything is possible. It has been said that “the universe recreates itself according to your picture of reality.” With that said, it is important to focus on positive things, on the dreams of how great life can be, and use that as a guiding image. It is definitely an exercise in positive thinking! So this morning as I wrote in my “universe column,” I was stuck how simple and small were the things I was asking for. As often winds up happening in this practice, I switch gears and begin writing how I want to feel in my life (happy, peaceful, exuberant) and the more abstract manifestations like joy, love, creative fulfillment and abundance. Not to mention lots of CD sales* and lots of great performances to play**!
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*In case you are new to the world of Vitamin V and don’t know about my new CD, I have recently released “Healing Music for Massage, Meditation and Transformation.” Visit my Facebook page to read comments about the CD
** In case you are new to the world of Starlight Orchestras, I produce and perform with a 15+-piece dance band called “The Starlight Experience.”
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July 19, 2010
Some letters move us to tears! These clients knocked our socks off by the way that they “got” what we do, by recognizing the heart and soul and invisible artistry that goes into making each party a smashing success. Read on!
Rebecca,
We never dreamed how thankless your job is. Lalyn and I have been receiving letters, e-mails and text messages RAVING about the party, which, of course, we accept unabashedly. However, both Lalyn and I understand, deep in the darkest recesses of our minds, that YOU AND THE STARLIGHT ORCHESTRA rocked everyone’s world Saturday and we are merely the happy recipients of the glory. Below are just a few of the comments we have heard:
Anya – “Most parties are like a soap bubble. ‘Pop’ and they are gone. But this one, with all its joy, will live forever.”
Liz – “I think that there’s an alchemical reaction that happens occasionally at the tennis house at night: really fun people + plentiful drinks + amazing music + the right lighting = pure gold. It was chic, rocking with energy, and so freakin’ fun…”
Dorothy – “Best ever!! Band was incredible – desserts were great – your dress was fab and Norman doesn’t look a day over forty (had to keep that in)”
RJ – “I have one word for you guys! EPIC!”
And the hits just keep on coming. Lalyn and I cannot thank you enough for the professionalism, enthusiasm and raw energy you and your fellow band members brought to the party. My God, we haven’t seen that many old, white WASPS rocking that hard…well…ever!
Thank you for making our 50th birthday such a memorable occasion on so many levels. We hope that we can find a way to rock with Rebecca Blake and the Starlight Orchestra time and again.
July 14, 2010
“Starlight Brides and Grooms Picks”- First Dances, Spring 2010
In this season’s “first dance” roster is a mix of old and new, tried and true, slow and romantic to bouncy and fun . Every wedding couple is different, and their first dance selection can set the tone of the entire evening, as well as their new life together. Here is a variety of choices for your first dance as a married couple.
Stuck on You- Lionel Richie
Have A Little Faith- Joe Cocker
You’ve Got What It Takes- Michael Buble
Thank You For Loving Me- Bon Jovi
If I Ain’t Got You- Alicia Keys
In The Moment- Sister Hazel
Make A Memory- Bon Jovi
I’ve Had The Time Of My Life- Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
Beauitful Day- U2
God Only Knows- The Beach Boys
In Your Eyes- Jeffrey Gaines
Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman- Bryan Adams
You Are The Best Thing- Ray La Montagne
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now- Starship
Turn Me On- Norah Jones
What first dances have you liked? Please “leave a comment” below!
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July 14, 2010
   
Email from our client!
Dear Valerie: Wow “OH What a Night!” Rave revues… some memorable quotes were “ I thought we were at a concert” (we heard this several time),” Best Band I ever heard “, “Singers sounded just like the original artists”, Unbelievable band ”, “The best I’ve ever heard”, “Dancers were great”, “How much did you spend to get them”, “How did you find them”,” outrageous” ,” they look like they are enjoying performing as much as we enjoyed listening”.
Bands always make the party ,you clearly made ours..Thanks so much . We will forever remember this evening because of your band. As it turns out everything else was perfect too…food , flowers and our guests..
Best regards
Lon Gorman
and from the bride…
“Valerie- I echo my Dad’s sentiments. The band was BEYOND incredible and no words could do justice to explain how amazing they were and how thankful we are that you made our wedding night a dream. Everyone is talking about your band. The common question is if you guys do concert together or individually- if you do, let me know, you have a HUGE audience awaiting you. THANK YOU.
Jen and Cyrus
P.S. AMAZING job of our wedding song!!!
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July 13, 2010
On Monday mornings I am often overcome with gratitude for all of the good things that have happened, for all of the talented and wonderful people who surround me, and for the many gifts that find their way to my doorstep. There are certain people that always make my “mental thank you list” list (I call them the “V.I.Peeps”) and then there are the “MVPs” from the most recent occurences.
This is the first such list that I am posting, and it would take too long to write everyone and everything here. But I will highlight a few outstanding entries.
1. I want to thank my clients; for trusting me, for having the vision to do something extraordinary, to go the extra mile and “nudge” the boundaries of what is usual and customary. For choosing Starlight to be such an integral part of their important celebrations and most meaningful times.
2. The creative team and support staff at Starlight Orchestras is a unit that is precise and excellent. If you have read any number of my articles, you will see that I write about my team all the time. I am always raving about the individuals who make it all happen! The bandleaders, producers and technical staff; the creative team (they do the casting, training, choreography, styling, arranging, designing etc.); the sales team; and the administrators of the company. So much goes into both creating this amazing product as well as taking care of our clients throughout the process.
3. The performers and musicians that find their way to Starlight are a very unique group; they are each at the top of their field, are highly sought after and have accomplished the most impressive goals. They each bring the valuable combination of talent, skill, charisma and positive energy. Although each person has a completely different style and set of gifts, our common goal is to uplift using music, and to create something better than before. They are all my heroes!
3. For my ability to know that this is more than just music; it’s an opportunity to bring joy and love, and to underscore the modulating moods of life. We use music as a “conduit” to reach, affect and maybe even transform the lives of people who are there with us. The outcome is a magnificent group experience that is created and shared by us all.
I Thank You.
Valerie
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July 10, 2010
Today I randomly found my way to the blog of someone in a friend-of-a friend’s network. The title caught my eye, so I clicked on the link and was delighted to find a most wonderful article written about giving gratitude. I had just recently written a blog post called “Giving Gratitude for Tonight’s Performance,” and the concept was on my mind. I was inspired to leave a rather long “response” to Michele Mattia’s article called Opening Doors by Giving & Receiving Gratitude, which I copied and pasted below.
“What a beautiful article and an important message… I have found that giving gratitude, both outwardly and also in a private personal way, is not only a great practice, but also helps to create MORE of what we are grateful for. I believe that the more we think about what we are happy with and thankful for, the more we attract that to ourselves. Sometimes when I am in between sleep and wakefulness, I lie with my eyes closed and put my attention on what I am grateful for. Kind of like a mental “thank you list.” As I think of each thing, it creates a new sense of joy, a burst of “goodness.” It is like reliving what feels good. I find that this is a wonderful meditation. When I get up, I will often reach out to the people who came to my mind, and share the gratitude that came up for me.
What a way to start the day. It is like remembering the best of yesterday, and using it as a platform to build upon on this new day.
Thanks again for the great words. I am glad I just happened upon Twitter this afternoon and saw the link to your blog post.”
July 7, 2010
Many of the guests who attended Alana and Adam’s wedding this past Saturday night had just been to see the Lady Gaga concert the previous evening.
The general comment to us was the following…
“Valerie- The energy level in the tent was sky high. Every single guest at the wedding commented on the band. Quite a few of the guests had just seen Lady GaGa Fri. night and said that your band and singers were much better. Nobody sat down. All the kids, the caterer, the waiters- everyone was gaga over your band. Thank you for a magnificent magical evening. THIS IS THE BEST BAND EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! Besides being great singers, the girls are gorgeous, the men are handsome and the band can play anything and everything and sound as if you were at a concert.
Valerie was so accomodating and really played to the audience, and this group was ready to party! She kept everyone going all night. Thank you again Valerie. There is not a band around that can hold a candle to yours.”
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July 2, 2010
Some decisions are hard to make; you think of every angle, weigh the pros and cons, ask everyone you know, throw the I-Ching, wait for a sign. And some decisions just jump out at you, plain as day, clear as a bell, like a neat little gift from the universe.
I love then that happens!
Last weekend a young couple attended a New York wedding where one of our Starlight Orchestras was playing. They had just gotten engaged a few days before, and are about to start planning their wedding. They absolutely flipped out over the band! Halfway through the evening they called her parents on the phone and said, “We found the band that we want to play at our wedding. It is the Starlight Orchestra.” Her father said, “You are not going to believe this! We went to a party in 1999 and the band was so great, I have been saving their card all these years for when you get married. It is the same company, Starlight Orchestras!”
The next day, the bride’s mother called our office and told us this great story. She said it they all felt it was “a sign,” we are the company they wanted to provide the music for their wedding. She wanted to make sure to reserve the band before they went on summer vacation, so they booked us over the phone, and when they get back will begin looking for a venue. We recommended a few of our favorite places in Manhattan, and now the fun begins.
It is so interesting to see the process unfold, and so wonderful when things are just “meant to be.”
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