23 Mar 2015, 02:26 AM
Hello folks, I'm proud to report that we played our first official HC last Friday! We had actually scheduled another one yesterday but the host had a small accident and walks on crutches now for a while so she asked us to postpone the HC until she is better.
The concert went very well, the guests loved our performance and we had very interesting conversations afterwards.
I used the tip with the printed programs, that worked really well.
BUT I have to say, Shannon has nailed it down in her book!
Like Shannon recommends, I advised the host to use formal invitations and have her guests rsvp - she did not think this necessary and I could not convince her otherwise. In the end 18 people came - she had invited more than 40! The host was really crushed about this. On the upside, she wants us to come again, and next time she promised to do as I advised.
Also there were 4 or 5 kids, and while the older ones were really well behaved, the little ones did cause some minor disturbances. I found it very hard in the pre-concert talks with the host to convince her that her three-year-old daughter was not an ideal guest. She seemed slightly offended, so I gave this topic up. I have to agree with Shannon here, kids under 10 should not be present, but one has to make concessions when starting out. (And BTW, I have a young daughter as well, so please don't think I hate kids or something like that!).
The host filmed the event and as soon as I have the file I'll compile a youtube clip and post it here as well.
Monetary wise it could have been better (18 people and 3 musicians that have to split earnings), but as the HC was in our hometown that is fine.
All in all, I loved the experience!
The concert went very well, the guests loved our performance and we had very interesting conversations afterwards.
I used the tip with the printed programs, that worked really well.
BUT I have to say, Shannon has nailed it down in her book!
Like Shannon recommends, I advised the host to use formal invitations and have her guests rsvp - she did not think this necessary and I could not convince her otherwise. In the end 18 people came - she had invited more than 40! The host was really crushed about this. On the upside, she wants us to come again, and next time she promised to do as I advised.
Also there were 4 or 5 kids, and while the older ones were really well behaved, the little ones did cause some minor disturbances. I found it very hard in the pre-concert talks with the host to convince her that her three-year-old daughter was not an ideal guest. She seemed slightly offended, so I gave this topic up. I have to agree with Shannon here, kids under 10 should not be present, but one has to make concessions when starting out. (And BTW, I have a young daughter as well, so please don't think I hate kids or something like that!).
The host filmed the event and as soon as I have the file I'll compile a youtube clip and post it here as well.
Monetary wise it could have been better (18 people and 3 musicians that have to split earnings), but as the HC was in our hometown that is fine.
All in all, I loved the experience!
