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November 29, 2011
People often ask what is Starlight’s specialty. My reply is that flexibility, versatility and reliability are the most important qualities. Our Starlight Orchestras have a broad range of presentation and each of our clients wants something different on the style spectrum. We are asked to be simple and elegant, and we are also asked to be dazzling and fiery. We can do either one. We are asked to be sophisticated and demure, and we are asked to be wild and crazy. We can do both. We are asked to wear conservative outfits, and we are asked to design some thing clubby-chic. Our look changes with either. We can provide a program of society and Sinatra, or we can perform a party with all tunes by Pitbull, Rhianna, and Beyonce. We are all of the above, and anything else we can conceive of. None of this defines us, we are not limited to the style of what we did for any one past event. With ensembles of varying sizes (from 3 pieces to 20), there are endless options and possibilities.
Like all great actors, we can slip into whatever role is needed. We are ever-changing, ever-evolving, always customizing, and our goal is to delight many different types of people all at the same time. A tall order. But we love it and we excel at it. There is no greater thrill than sharing the magic of the party!
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November 11, 2011
In addition to our popular and well known bands, Starlight would love to introduce you to some of our speciality groups and smaller ensembles for small events and holiday parties. We have different varieties of jazzy bands incorporating xylophones, vibraphones, jazz harp & oboe, and other instruments you just don’t see everyday. We love to play world-fusion music with sitar and string quartet, or African harp (kora) with acoustic guitar and kalimba. Our “Starlit DJ” spins a variety of Buddha Bar-esque mixes and dance favorites. Our Brazilian trio is suave & romantic featuring a repertoire of bossa novas and sambas. People have been loving our unplugged rock duo “Our Side Of The Moon” featuring classic rock, acoustic style. If you like THE BLUES, we have an organ and harmonica DUO with vocals. Plus many other types of trios & quartets. We are excited to share our music with you, and to be a part of your happy celebrations! Call us at 212.595.0999!
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November 11, 2011
I just want to take a quick moment to acknowledge and thank our Director of Sales, Ms. Lauren Goldman! Lauren works tirelessly making sure that every detail is tended to! She talks to just about every single Starlight client, and she makes sure that every Starlight bandleader is prepared for their events. Our job is filled with a million and one details, and Lauren is on top of every one.
Thanks, Lauren, see you next week!
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November 10, 2011
Starlight is having a big birthday! We are coming up on our 20th anniversary of providing live music for private parties in New York City and beyond. I just wanted to share this, as we decide how we might celebrate this milestone in the upcoming months. I always like to celebrate a big birthday for a whole year, and we just might do that! Stay tuned for how we might commemorate our 20 years,and let us know how you’ve celebrated your milestones. Comment below or drop us an email.
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November 10, 2011
Congratulations to Starlight’s own Sarah Tolar Scott for this week’s television appearance on the Jimmy Fallon Show. In between leading her Starlight Orchestra gigs, she performed on Tuesday with the pop star duo Chromeo as a “Chromette.” The highlight of her day was singing with Solange Knowles, Beyonce’s sister, who was featured on the song “When The Night Falls”- from Chromeo’s
album “Business Casual.” The highlight of MY day was in between sound-check and rehearsal, when Sarah she popped down from the TV studio at 30 rock for an exciting meeting with me and our upcoming clients at the University Club, followed by a lovely working lunch at a fabulous restaurant in the neighborhood. Another exciting day for Sarah and another great day for Starlight.
Check out Sarah’s solo album, BIG BLUE MOON on CD Baby.
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August 22, 2011
We are always grateful to our clients for choosing Starlight to provide the music for their special parties. This summer we have participated in some amazing events at some breathtaking outdoor spots. A recent wedding was held at a private home on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, on the water. The tent was white with clear sides, and crystal chandeliers throughout. A private firework show punctuated the evening. Another magical party took place at a private residence in Sag Harbor, also right on the water. A full moon lit the bay, while Starlight lit the dance floor. Estates in Rye, Bonnet Island and East Hampton were home to some of the other fabulous and memorable evenings we were part of. In between traveling and preparing for our events, our bandleaders have discovered SUP (Stand Up Paddle Boarding) this summer. We hit the water every chance we get, and try to make time for a sunset tour whenever possible. There are a few weeks left of summer, and with performances and paddle boarding on the schedule, we are taking full advantage!
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July 15, 2011
One of our wonderful singers/dancers Robert Taylor Jr. made it to one of the final rounds of So You Think You Can Dance. He mesmerized audiences with both his talent, skill and his personality. I was so very sad ( as well as shocked) when I saw the judges let him go last week. Here is the letter I wrote to him straightaway.
Dear Robert,
I want you to know that I thought you were absolutely amazing on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE!!! I could NOT believe they let you go. While everyone was so talented, I thought your light was the brightest, you consistently brought your all and were very very impressive. Your Starlight family is so very proud of you ! I hope you weren’t too disappointed, and I am happy for the great honor you received by going so far. Personally, I thought you should have been THE ONE. Thank you also for mentioning Starlight in your interviews. Can’t wait to rock onstage with you again soon.
Love,
Valerie
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June 14, 2011
I just have to end the way I so often do, and thank my band-mates as well as the team at Starlight for their contribution to making this event as wonderful as it could be. It takes an enormous effort to present in the maner that we do; to prepare all of the special music, learn all of the intricate parts, and make it sound realistic, fresh and exciting. Then we add the sparkle that makes it so magical! I used a phrase in a recent article, where I alluded to the “invisible artistry” that goes into band-leading “Starlight style.” I will leave that as an open ended mysterious statement, and one day I will write about that concept. For now, suffice to say that the result is something truly incomparable, and we are all very proud! A heartfelt thanks and lots of love from me to every musician, performer and team member at Starlight.
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June 10, 2011
Weekends in June are packed full of weddings both in New York City and exotic places afar. This coming weekend my various Starlight Orchestras will be providing music for weddings at the Plaza Hotel, the Hotel Pierre, the Museum of Natural History, Tribeca Rooftop and Lyford Cay Club in the Bahamas. Today is a rare day in between the Charity Ball Galas from last week and the upcoming weddings where I will be performing tomorrow and Sunday.
I wanted to journal about how I am spending this day, this precious Friday, not exactly a day-off, but a day spent at home in preparation for what’s ahead.
Morning coffee in bed, then conference call on my cell phone by the pool, followed by a visit from a favorite massage therapist who specializes in deep tissue work. Don’t know if I loved it or hated it, but I sure feel good now that it is over.
Starlight Biz- On my agenda is 1) phone-call with an event planner for a wedding we are doing in Iowa next week. The subject is the additional hour and a half of overtime the client wants to add to the party. 2) Phone call with a music producer on the West Coast who has a NY client planning a retirement party in December and wants to learn about the Starlight bands. 3) Organizing and emailing files and documents for this weekend’s events onto my Ipad. This includes timelines, contact lists, production schedules, song lists and sheet music etc.
Event Prep- Today I am practicing the guitar parts to “Sweet Child of Mine,” and brushing up on the special song requests “When You Say nothing At All,” and “Do I Make You Proud.” Saturday’s bride just asked for “The Edge of Glory” (Lady Gaga) and Sunday’s bride just asked for “Rolling in The Deep,” so I am making some last minute additions to the repertoire.
Valrock Music and Vitamin V- Since I have literally just completed the tracks for my new meditation and relaxation album with collaborator Tao Porchon-Lynch, I am spending a bit of time today approving the artwork for the CD cover, and sending samples to the Strala Yoga in preparation for Tao’s workshop tomorrow.
On a Personal Note- A few times a year I bake carrot-cake muffins and bring them to my gigs. Not only do our musicians love them, but my friends who are photographers, videographers, sound & lighting designers, caterers and florists all partake and enjoy. I got an email from someone who is working the wedding tomorrow, suggesting that if I bring carrot-cake muffins, I might get an extra platform for my stage. LOL!!! I am running out now to buy carrots and cream cheese!
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May 23, 2011
The Art of Energy Flow
Since I am a musician and run a music company, people assume that my contribution to the success of an event is providing exceptional music. While this is true, my area of expertise goes beyond that, and can be described as “the Art of Energy Flow.”
Events are created in stages, with most of the details and elements planned way in advance. By the time guests arrive, much of the work has been completed in preparation for those “wow” moments; rooms have been designed and transformed, menus are set, candles lit, and “the experience begins.”
How do we continue to create those moments throughout an entire evening? This is where knowing the art of energy flow is important. The way guests experience a party and how things move from one moment to the next are guided by energy flow, and are most often influenced by the musical choices, regardless of whether the music is being played by a DJ, a string trio or a 12 piece party band. Guests will go through a spectrum of moods, scenarios and segments throughout the evening.
How will people feel, how do we want them to feel, and what can we do to affect how they feel, are questions we consider.
As we all know, music is a key component in stimulating emotions and creating energy. The way that we use and infuse music in our daily lives (I call it “Vitamin V”) is similar to how I use music for events. While key songs may be determined in advance, much of the music played throughout an event is chosen spontaneously, intuitively, in the moment by “reading the crowd” and immediately determining what will elicit the desired response. We might use romantic music to underscore a sentimental moment, elegant music to accompany dining, and upbeat music to inspire celebration and dancing. By using a variety of tools, we gradually increase the energy and we intensify the enjoyment as the evening progresses.
There is no set formula, but an understanding of what inspires and motivates people is essential. Thus, our approach to each event is unique, the choices we make reflect our perceptions, and no two parties are ever exactly the same.
Every musical choice made by the music-provider has an impact on the moment, and on everyone in the room. A good “call” can pack a dance floor. A not-so-good “call” can clear that same dance floor in less than 20 seconds!
Being a good musician or bandleader is not enough. Having a great band is not enough. But being well versed in “the art of energy flow” is what makes the magic keep happening.
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