Best of Utah Wedding Vendors: Joe Muscalino Band
[intro]Utah has so many amazing wedding vendors! Each Wednesday we feature one. This week for Wedding Wednesday we interviewed Joe, owner of The Joe Muscolino Band. We’re so excited for you read all about their services and the tips Joe has to offer:[/intro] 1. Tell us a little about your business.
I’ve been a band leader in this town since 1979 when we made it on a big band platform. Since then we’ve evolved and play a lot more contemporary things. The thing I’m proud about is that we’re still playing for all the colleges and universities in Utah, as well as for 50th anniversaries and reunions and things. We’re a very versatile band and we can play any kind of music, and we enjoy playing almost every kind of music.
2. How far in advance should a bride start looking for a band?
If you want to have a good band on a Saturday night in the summer, you should book maybe 8-9 months in advance. We get a lot of calls in January for the summer months for Saturday nights. If you’re not as particular, and you want to do a Sunday or a weeknight you can book a little later.
3. Where can potential clients see you preform live?
We usually do some concerts in the summer. I know we will probably be playing at the Gateway the first week in July, and Excellence in the Community at the Gallivan Center the first week in September. We do live concerts throughout the year. Most the things we do for clients are private events, but we can arrange for potential clients to come, particularly if it’s at a hotel or some other open venue.
4. What price does booking your band start at for an event or wedding?
Most weddings we do have a 3 hour minimum for a 6 piece band for $1800. The big band usually goes for $3000 for 3 hours of service. There’s a travel fee if it’s out of town. Occasionally we do offer a dance band with 1 singer.
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5. How many musicians are in your band? Any vocalists?
A 6 piece band has 2 vocalists, keyboard, bass, drums and a saxophonist doubling on flute.
A Full band is 10 piece with a horn section. We carry two vocalists, a male and female.
6. What’s the most important thing to consider when selecting a wedding band?
I would say, versatility. Does the music fit all ages in attendance? Can they play good dance music, but keeps it so it’s not too loud so other people can converse? Usually, a club band would be too loud at a wedding.
7. Can you play any song a bride wants, regardless of your style?
I try to make it a point of playing whatever it is that a bride wants for a first dance. If we don’t know it, we learn it!
8. What does a bride need to supply for her wedding for your band to preform? (stage? seating? dance floor?)
If you have a wedding at a hotel, it doesn’t really matter if there’s a stage, or no stage. It’s really great to have a dance floor for a backyard wedding. A designated outlet for power is helpful. We’re pretty much self contained and will generally bring everything that’s needed.
9. What is your favorite song to preform for the couple’s first dance?
If it’s my choice, we love to preform “At Last” because it’s nice vocal duet, and I think it works well.
10. Any other tips you’d like to share with our brides?
If you’re using a band or a DJ, other than your First Dance and the Father-Daughter Dance, go with what the band wants to play. It’s really not about playing all your favorite tunes, that’s what your iPod is for. If we played all your favorite tunes and nobody danced, the party would not be successful. Trust the professionals since this is your first wedding, and they’ve played hundreds.
photo credit: Moxie Photography
taken: Salt Lake City, Utah
