Whether you want up-front, stand-out vocals to wow your guests at a wedding or birthday party or need ambient background music for a cocktail party or after-dinner entertainment, a singer can bring the sparkle. But what do you need to know before hiring one?
Singers From Madison specialize in the genre you are looking for. This can help ensure that they are able to perform your chosen songs flawlessly and with great flair. Additionally, it is also a good idea to look for a singer who has experience performing at similar events to yours, as this will mean that they are familiar with the ins and outs of event entertainment and will be less likely to encounter any problems that could derail their performance.
It can be helpful to get recommendations from friends and family members who have hired professional singers in the past, as they will be able to provide you with an insider’s perspective on what their experiences were like. However, be sure to carefully consider any recommendations that come from close relatives, as some people may inflate their family member’s talent in order to gain a business advantage.
Another way to find a singer is to use online resources. Social media has become a breeding ground for emerging talent, with many singers finding their first gigs through platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. You can browse these profiles to see photos and videos of the singers in action, as well as read reviews from previous clients. You can then reach out directly to these performers to discuss your requirements and negotiate a price.
Depending on your event’s needs, you may want to hire a singer who can play an instrument as well as sing. This can add a more classical and traditional feel to your event, while also creating a more engaging experience for your guests. Most singers will list the instruments they can play on their websites, so be sure to check them out before making a final decision.
Additionally, you will need to decide how long you would like the singer to perform for and what kind of setlist you would like them to create. Some singers will only perform a short set and will need to take regular breaks, while others will be able to entertain for longer periods without needing to take a break.
Depending on their genre and the level of success they achieve, singers can earn a good living. Professional recording artists often find fame and huge popularity in a particular style of music, working with prestigious musicians, producers and orchestras. This usually leads to a high income, with the most famous singers earning a substantial annual salary.
Other professional singers may work in smaller groups or as backup singers, providing harmony vocals for a larger band or musical ensemble. Singers in this category are usually hired by clients who are looking for a harmonic and uplifting performance, such as at weddings, anniversaries, dinner events or drinks receptions. They often have a wide range of songs in their repertoire and can cover a variety of styles.
Some professional singers also teach singing as a way to supplement their income, offering private lessons or group classes at schools and community centers. The rates vary based on the caliber of the instructor, but can be as high as $50 per lesson or hour.
Many singers are able to travel as part of their work, which can be a very rewarding aspect of the profession. Other perks include the ability to meet people from all walks of life and to perform in front of audiences with varied backgrounds.
It is important for all Singers to train regularly to maintain the health of their voice. This includes training in the basics of music theory, choral conducting and singing technique. It is also vital to understand the issues that can challenge a singer’s health and how to avoid them.
Some singers make money by selling their music, either as file downloads or physical copies. They can also earn royalties when their music is used in a film or TV production. Other revenue streams may include merchandise sales, live shows and recording sessions.
Most professional singers work as freelancers, performing for clients on a contract basis. This may be in a studio session with a Producer or Songwriter, on a gig as a backing vocalist or with a band, or at special events such as weddings, charity functions, birthday parties or a New Year’s Eve show. Depending on the situation, they might be paid a per-show rate plus a per diem to cover food and living expenses.
If your singer will be performing in front of a live audience, they will need some way to project their voice and sound. A PA system, or public address system, is the best way to do that. Most venues have in-house systems, but if you plan on taking your singer to other locations or allowing them to perform outside of the venue, then you will need to provide your own.
PA systems are huge speakers with amplifiers and connecting jacks that are designed to project sound across large spaces or audiences. They can be very heavy and require a lot of space to set up. However, new technology has made them lighter and more multifunctional, while still providing high quality performance.
The heart of the PA is a mixer, which is like the central nervous system for the entire system. It will usually have between 4 and 24 inputs or channels and controls for tone, volume and effects. It will also include a power amp that boosts the low-level signals from the mixer to wattage strong enough to drive the speakers.
Another component of a PA is monitors, which are speakers pointed towards the singer that play back their amplified voice. This allows the singer to hear themselves during their performance so they can sing in tune and avoid having to rely on an unreliable mix that may not be ideal for their voice or style of music.
Mic stands are essential accessories to any PA rig, as they will hold the microphones used for vocalists and other stage sound sources. You will want to find ones that are stable and secure, with a sturdy base or tripod to prevent them from falling over during a performance. They should also have cable-routing clips that will keep cords from getting tangled up in them or tripping people as they walk around the stage during setup and performance.
A PA system should also include a few other important accessories, such as speaker and mic cables in various lengths. You will need to ensure you have the right lengths to match your speakers and microphones, as well as a few extras in case one gets damaged or lost during a performance. You will also need a sound check, during which you will test out all the parts of your system to make sure they are working properly.
The kind of singer you hire for your event depends on what sort of atmosphere you want to create. For example, a solo artist may be perfect for a wedding reception where you’d like to have the groom serenaded down the aisle, or for a party where you want to get people dancing to classic pop songs by Sheryl Crow or Ed Sheeran.
If you’re looking to create a more sophisticated feel, consider booking a classical singer to perform beautiful ballads and operatic pieces by Luciano Pavarotti, Maria Callas or Placido Domingo. Alternatively, you could opt for a jazz singer who will entertain with swing, jazz and lounge hits to add a touch of class to any occasion.
When searching for a singer, make sure that you listen to their demos carefully and watch any videos they have online, which are often accompanied by reviews from other people who have hired them. You should also check that they have public liability insurance in case anything goes wrong while they are performing.
As a general rule, solo singers tend to be cheaper than bands because they don’t require as much space. However, this will vary from one entertainer to the next, with more experienced musicians charging higher fees as they have built up a reputation for their talents.
Singers will usually be self-contained and bring everything they need to perform, with the exception of a chair, which you may have to provide if they are using a piano or harp as their instrument. In addition, they may ask for a dressing room to change in and out of their outfit, as well as somewhere to keep their equipment in between sets.
In addition to their instruments, singers will usually also have a microphone and PA system that they will use to project their voice and ensure that the audience can hear them clearly. Therefore, you should check that the venue or concert hall you are hiring has this technical equipment in place before booking a singer. If they don’t, you’ll need to hire it yourself as a separate piece of equipment, which will likely cost more than if you’d booked a band or other entertainer with the same set-up.