Module 5 - Social Aspect of Music

Every year at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, the music company that services many of the Chicago area schools has a reception.  All of the band and orchestra directors that are serviced by this company are invited to attend.  This past December this reception was at a downtown hotel bar that was rented specifically for the party.  The party is a time for area directors and company employees to talk shop and socialize with each other. 

This year, a professional jazz combo from the Chicago area performed during the reception.  As typical for jazz musicians, these performers were dressed in business casual instead of concert black.  The musicians were standing the entire time and included a rhythm section and two saxophonists.  The jazz combo did not use sheet music, but they did use amplification since the venue was rather large, yet it did not overbear any of the conversations.  This combo was not interactive with the audience unless approached if there was a request.  Many directors did acknowledge the performers at the conclusion of the set to thank them.  The music provided background to the many serious and light-hearted conversations being had in the venue.  The music being performed created a pleasant atmosphere for the attendees although the music certainly intended for the background.

All of the attendees were middle school or high school ensemble directors, putting them in the middle-class of society.  The general age of the audience was varied.  Because all area directors were invited, ages ranged from early 20s to mid 50s, on average.  People of all ages were socializing with each other.  There were around 250 people in attendance at this reception.  Because this was not a concert, printed programs were not available, however, the owner of the music company introduced the jazz combo.  Attendees were dressed in business casual, as all were attending the conference earlier in the day.  Food and beverages were available for all attendees and live music is always present.  People eat, drink, talk, and listen to the music at this reception.  After each piece, however, being the trained musicians that we are, we all stopped our conversations to applaud the performers for the music that had just been performed.  The performers nodded their head as a gesture of thanks toward the audience as they applauded.  As guests to the reception, tickets were not required, but an invitation to the reception was required.  Eating and drinking commenced the entire time and the performers were also partaking in beverages during their performance.  This was a very different experience from hearing a jazz combo at a formal venue because the ensemble served a different purpose.