Music

Music sets the mood for many facets of a production. You may not notice that little ditty in the background but it did get you to feel sentimental, giddy, anxious, apprehensive, or possibly just woke you up with a subliminal message that said "This Is It". You don't have to be big to have that quality professional sound.

Let's start with an upcoming fictional pageant (since this will make a point and yet be applicable to other events).

Your entertainment between competitions is covered by a singer or musician that brought along their own custom sound CD. The so called custom CD is actually a karaoke CD which provides the soundtrack and background without the main vocal (or sometimes the lead instrument). Karaoke CD's play in standard CD players (including stage sound set ups) and are overlooked by many as a way of utilizing local talent with a professional soundtrack during their event.

There are other considerations too:

	About 3 - 5 minutes before the show starts a wake up instrumental should be played alerting the audience to take their seats and as a lead in to the EMCEE introduction.
	Costume Competition (if held) - music should be intersting and instrumental so that the entrants should not have to compete with a singer. The music should last throughout the costume competition with many variations of the same theme so that you don't have "The Broken Record Effect".
	Swimsuit Competition - music should be light, lively, and instrumental so that the EMCEE should not have to compete with a singer. The music should last throughout the swimsuit competition with many variations of the same theme so that you don't have "The Broken Record Effect".
	Aerobic - music should be forceful or lively, and instrumental so that the emphasis is on the routine which combines runway skills with bodybuilding poses and flexing . The music should last throughout the aerobic competition with many variations of the same theme so that you don't have "The Broken Record Effect".
	Entertainment - already covered or your budget may have a band allocation.
	Gown Competition - - music should soft, elegant, sentimental, and instrumental so that the EMCEE should not have to compete with a singer. The music should last throughout the gown competition with many variations of the same theme so that you don't have "The Broken Record Effect".
	FANFARE type instrumental music should be played as the entrance parade on and off the stage. Imagine the effect during a parade of gowns vs. the unaccompanied clatter of heels hitting the floor and stage one at a time.
	Suspense music as the final questions are asked.
	Anxious music as everyone waits for the envelope
	Pre-Recorded narration played during the final walk with instrumental or possibly karaoke music mixed in the background.
	Suspense music again as the runner ups are announced
	Regal or Uplifting music as the crown touched her head.
	Wakeup Music signifying that the pageant is over but a journey is starting. Sounds good and keeps interest while the credits roll too.

Music selection for pageant stage competition events is very simple. Play the selection you are considering with your eyes closed. Picture someone on stage competing in the event and how the selection highlights them while assisting them with the proper beat and mood setting. If your mind is drawn to the person on stage then you have a winner. If you mind is distracted from the person on stage to the music or memories\times that the music reminds you have then pass it by. Since during competition events the Emcee, Co-Host, or possibly the contestant is providing a narrative, the best choice for the event is instrumental music so that the narrative is not fighting with the vocal portion of a selection.

We can provide thousands of musical selections (royalty free) for any event we film due to our videographer's licensing arrangements. This has the added benefit of our being able to edit EMCEE or Co-Host flubs and insert music without losing a beat.

A Division of Compucat Software