Happy Sigh from Valerie! It was another amazing event, another night where I look around and see people joyful, smiling, dancing, celebrating, being exuberant, loving life, letting loose, going wild! And next to me I see the world’s best performers and musicians with the most astounding charisma, passion, talent; the energy rising in swirls, tangible and enlightening, enlivening. The thing that is so hard to describe, to get across to people, is that there is TRULY NOTHING LIKE THIS PRODUCT IN THE WHOLE WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT! Where can you find a performance so exciting, so polished and sharp and yet still organic and flexible, THAT IS COMPLETELY GEARED FOR PRIVATE EVENTS? Talent of this magnitude is usually reserved for touring headline acts; Rod Stewart or Diana Krall doing cool jazz standards with a stage full of trumpets, trombones and saxes; Black Eyed Peas with their different characters presenting their “positive hip-hop” dance hits; Lady Gaga or Madonna whose shows include awesome backup singers/dancers; Bon Jovi rocking out their old and new, Beyonce, Jay-Zee, Alicia Keys, whose shows feature the best of their material with strong backline support and many guest surprises; and the always favorite Earth, Wind and Fire who energize the stage and dazzle crowds with their heartfelt song and expressive dance. You can find those acts on arena stages throughout the world, but what you can’t find anywhere is an ensemble that delivers all of that music AND MORE, performed in a similar style with the same kind of STAR POWER, but that will customize the repertoire for each and every event; can down-play, up-play, down-size, can segueway seamlessly like the best DJ, gliding between genres in a unprecedented way; reading the crowd and switching gears, intuitively designing the play-list IN MOTION to deliver the material that is perfect for this audience, this night, in this moment. No filler songs, no monologues, just song after song, energy building and mounting, all within the parameters of music for a private party. Not a show, not a concert, just truly the World’s Best Party Band, The Starlight Experience. Once you have seen this live, it all makes sense. But words cannot describe it, videos will not capture it, testimonials do not do it justice. The comments might make it sound like it is “too much,” or “over the top,” or “a show not a band…” but people who have actually experienced this product NEVER say that! It is just the Best of the Best, time and time again.
I am gratified when we are in different cities and we work with various producers, event planners, booking agents, and people always say, “There is really nothing like this product anywhere!” It is so true, and I am excited for even more people to know this; Starlight has created an entertainment concept that is unparalleled and unrivaled, bridging the worlds of Live Music for Private Events and Headline Entertainment. It is for those discerning clients that want to present something astounding, within the parameters of what is sensible and appropriate for a private event.
“Hi Starlight! There are no words to explain the night – NO WORDS – because I listened to Valerie’s suggestions, the music (other than the bride and groom), was talked about the most! You will absolutely be getting calls, but what they won’t realize is that all the extras made it more than “just a band” and therefore, over the top, in the best way!! Clintons will never know what they missed – Greenbergs will never forget what they had!! Thank u so much!
Last night we performed for a wedding at one of my favorite venues, the Hotel Pierre. What a fantastic night it was. When I walked in several hours before the wedding was to start, the family and bridal party were having photos taken in the Cotillion Room. I could tell by the upbeat atmosphere in the room, by the big smiles and hearty hugs that this was going to be a really great night! And so it was!! The string ensemble and I did a run-through of the ceremony selections while the family was posing for their photos. Everyone got excited when they heard the Broadway numbers that the bride and groom had chosen. We had a harp, 2 violins, cello and bass, and with this ensemble we performed the following selections for the processional:
“Tradition” from Fiddler on The Roof for the Rabbi and 2 sets of grandparents;
“One Boy” from Bye Bye Birdie for the Best Man,
Then, the Groom and his parents walked in to “Luck Be A Lady” from Guys and Dolls.
“Seasons of Love” from Rent for the 8 sets of Bridesmaids and Ushers;
“Popular” was played for the Maid of Honor;
“Thank Heaven for Little Girls,” for the 2 little Flower Girls
Finally, and dramatically, the bride and her parents walked down the aisle to “Memory” from Cats.
At the end, after breaking the glass, everyone recessed to “You’re The One That I Want,” from Grease.
Aftr the cocktail hour, we opened the ballroom with very upbeat dance music. When the Bride and Groom did their grand entracne, they asked us to play Michael Jackson’s “P.Y.T.!”
They came onto the dance floor and did their dance to the David Cook version of “Always Be My Baby.”
For cake cutting, they dedicated the Grateful Dead’s “Scarlet Begonias” to the Father of the Bride.
Throughout the evening, the Starlight Orchestra performed a variety of contemporary and classic dance music, concentrating on Top 40 (lots of Black Eyed Peas, Rhianna, Lady Gaga!) classic rock (Def Leppard, anyone?) to classic favorites by Abba and Madonna.
The guests had a wild and crazy night, and at this one, so did the band!
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, and then add the sparkle that makes it all seem 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!
When most people think of Starlight Orchestras they think huge bands with a big price tag. Most people don’t realize that Starlight has a wide range of bands and styles and sizes and prices.
Really!
Without publishing prices on-line (we prefer that you speak to one of our experienced salespeople directly so that we can give you a customized quote for your event), I can say that there is certainly a misconception that Starlight only has big orchestras that do big productions and are mucho expensive.
Here’s the truth: we certainly DO have the biggest, best, most fabulous ensembles available for private party entertainment. We have earned a well deserved reputation for being the obvious “go-to” folks when you want the very best.
The part people don’t always remember is that we have a full roster of bands in different sizes and prices. From jazz trios, classical groups, small combos, specialty acts like Brazilian, Caribbean, World Music, to the Star City Bands at 5-6 pieces, to the Starlight Orchestras that start at 9 pieces, all the way to the larger 15 piece ensembles that we are known for. Not to mention the world reknowned Starlight Experience.
And it is ALL GOOD! Starlight’s quality speaks for itself, having been proven time and again over the past 15+ years. I would even say that the name “STARLIGHT” has become synonomous with “EXCELLENCE.” I am so very proud of this.
During this time of economic uncertainty, the team at Starlight has periodically evaluated, re-evaluated, and made adjustments to our fee structure; even reducing prices, offering special packages, and adding smaller options. We were featured in New York Magazine-Weddings for offering a “Ridiculously Good Band,” for a ridiculously fair price!
So please DO CALL, do pass the word, and remember that Starlight has musical offerings in a variety of shapes, colors, sizes, and PRICES!
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!
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.”
How wonderful to come into the office after a busy weekend of events, and find our mailbox overflowing with letters of gratitude and appreciation! Here are some picks from this weeks sentiments… Thank you to our clients for the kind words…
12/03/09
Hi Rebecca!
Sorry it has taken me this long to drop a note, but we were escaping reality on the other side of the world for a few weeks
I just wanted to thank you again for making our wedding absolutely unbelievable. I’m sure you get “thank you’s” all the time because you guys are amazing, but I can’t even begin to express how incredible the whole night was. I have people from all over the world asking me about our band and I am pretty sure you might get a call from Dublin inquiring what it would take to get your band there for a wedding.
Every song was beautiful and your rendition of Empire State of Mind was totally mind-blowing, and the most vivid memory I have of the night is about 100+ people on the dance floor rocking out to that song. For fear of being annoying, redundant and borderline crazy I will cut this email here, but please pass along to your whole team how thankful and honored we were to have you there and if there is ever anything we can possibly do for you please let us know!
All the best,
Leslie
Leslie Cafferty | I A C
Associate Director | Corporate Communications
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12/03/09
Sarah,
Please forgive my long overdue email but I want to say thank you once again! Your performance at our wedding was truly incredible and far surpassed our expectations (and they were high!). The energy you and the band brought to the room made our wedding the most perfect night and amazing party. We are still getting phone calls about how amazing the band was and all of my single friends want you at their weddings when the time comes!!
Thank you again so much for making our night so amazing!!
xo,
Jen
jennifer liss
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12/3/09
Hi Laurell-
We hope that you have had a great few weeks. Shira and I are just back from our honeymoon, and still basking in the glow from our awesome wedding!!
We wanted to thank you so much for making it such an unbelievable party. Our guests have not stopped raving about how awesome our band was and we wanted to pass along that feedback. You guys really rocked and made it an amazing night for us. We hope you had a little fun while working so hard, too
Thank you again for everything!
Best,
Loren and Shira
Loren Berger
RBS Greenwich Capital
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12/03/09
Dear Valerie,
I have no words… it was unbelievable beyond unbelievable! You were just amazing!
I am sure you hear this all the time, but my friends can not stop talking about it, and we did not want the party to end. I can’t wait for my next daughter to get married so we can use you again! I can’t express how amazing you were.
By the way, my friends’ husbands wants to know where the male singers got their black and white shoes…
Thank you again, and I will write you a longer letter soon.
One day I will write a book about the life of a bandleader, more specifically, the life of a “Starlight” bandleader. What goes into our job, our lifestyle, what it takes to put it all together, how we prepare for our events, what we need to think of. I always see our bandleaders coming to the performances carrying the biggest bag (purse) I have ever seen. It makes me think of Mary Poppins, with her magic carpet bag!
I asked Sarah, Laurell, Rebecca and Claudia to tell me what they carry in their bags, so I could share it with you.
Here is the first one. From SARAH SCOTT
What’s in Sarah’s bag?
Extra back-ups of:
Stockings
Shoes (women’s)
Ties in several colors (men’s)
Black dress shirts
Earrings
Bracelets
Eyelashes
Black sequins dresses
Bra straps
Also:
Safety pins
Deodorant
Body spray
Hairspray
Moisturizer
Kleenex
Gum
Vitamin C packets
Pain reliever
Stain remover
25 charts (sheet music) of great dinner music
Emergency Hora charts (more sheet music)
Water bottles
Sharpees
Business cards
Manuscript paper
Pencils
Insoles (for womens shoes)
Scissors
Bobby-pins
Body glitter
Hey Laurell
We just got back from our honeymoon. What a crazy few weeks.
I wanted to let you know how amazing you guys were and how thrilled we were with the music. We got so many calls from people telling us how great the band was. Even with 5 inch heels, I don’t think I sat down for more than 2 minutes all night and I never seen Scott dance so much ever.
You should definitely consider adding Head Like a Hole to your repetoire – it was fantastic.
Again – we had a blast and will definitely call you in 7 years for Scott’s son’s bar mitzvah!
