It’s fair to say that organising an event that is unique and more memorable than others is becoming increasingly difficult. However, with the huge variety of specialist musicians available on sites like the Last Minute Musicians directory, finding something different for your event has never been easier.
Who are specialist musicians?
As the name suggests, specialist musicians are performers that offer something a bit different and out of the ordinary.
They can be quite hard to summarise, but it is reasonable to say that they encompass everything from Loop Pedal Artists and World Music Specialists to Medieval Musicians (and everything in between!).
What sort of events do they play at?
Generally, you will find specialist musicians playing at any kind of event that has a strong theme. It will depend on the type of performance, but these will generally be private events rather than public, ticketed performances.
Many organisers, in an attempt to create something a little different, choose to turn back time for an evening, creating a medieval setting for their guests.
For those organising such an occasion, adapting parts of the event such as the invitations, food, drink and decorations will ensure that once guests begin arriving, they are transported back in time.
The job of specialist medieval musicians is to help the transportation process, both in the way they look and perform.
For more modern events, Loop Pedal Artists and Modern String Sections can bring a touch of sophistication, with a fresh and up-to-date sound that combines electronic dance music and classical strings.
This sound is perfect for product launches, drinks mixers/ networking events and other corporate events.
Thinking about becoming a specialist musician?
From the point of view of a musician, selling yourself or a band or as entertainment for such an exceptional events means that a unique selling point must be created.
Having a USP will advertise why specialist musicians will ensure guests will have an exciting, memorable and unique evening.
Particularly in terms of medieval and historical events, a musician must be able to delve into the musical history of a certain era resurrecting certain songs and recreating the spirit and mood of a time in history.
Capturing the essence and spirit of the age, musicians must traditional instruments of the period the hurdy gurdy, dulcimer, cittern and the lute such as the hurdy gurdy, dulcimer, cittern, lute and the flute.
Last Minute Musician Dante Ferrara is a popular historical multi-instrumentalist musician specialising in Elizabethan music. Performing since 1984, Dante not only performs with his lute or hurdy gurdy, but also provides one-man narrative comedy show echoing the theme of the Elizabethan era.
By doing this, he allows his audience to enjoy a mixture of sincere traditional songs by the likes of Henry Purcell and other composers of the Tudor era. Like all serious musicians, Dante also performs wearing suitable attire, in this case an Elizabethan tunic.
For those considering branching out to perform music at specialist medieval events, the choice of instrument and repertoire encompass everything and having a wide repertoire from across medieval times allows the performer to hone his skills on several instruments.
Of course, musicians are not forced to follow in the footsteps of Dante Ferrara performing just Elizabethan material.
Peter, a Last Minute Musicians specialist performer, plays a wide selection of medieval instruments and not only performs at private functions but is also hired to providing music in museums and castles such as the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Leeds castle and events at the National Trust.
Those already proficient in stringed instruments may find that learning the lute is a simpler task than learning a more demanding instrument.
In terms of repertoire, songs such as The Pied Piper, A Medieval Christmas, Elizabethan Gems and a host of other traditional tunes will suit any historical event.
Whilst many songs of the medieval era have been lost to time, there are various online resources where songs can be learnt and many musicians have put together albums of medieval music that can be used as a reference.
Sources
- www.lastminutemusicians.com/search/specialist_musicians.html
- www.lutesociety.org/pages/lute-tuning
- www.lutesociety.org/
- www.lastminutemusicians.com/members/peter_medieval.html
Are you a specialist musician? What advice would you have to people looking to get into the field? Comment your thoughts below…
