house concerts

Would you like me to come and play a private concert for you and your friends at your place? House Concerts are fun, intimate, inexpensive and easy to put on and are one of my favorite types of shows to perform at. As you may know, I have performed at and have personally hosted many House Concerts. Sound interesting? Why not send me an email at: shawn@shawntrotter.com and we can talk about it one-on-one.

So what is a house concert? Simply put, it’s a concert in someone’s home. The house concert host makes arrangements with a musician to come to their home to play for an audience. It is an amazing opportunity to experience a musical performance in a warm and intimate environment. It’s a gathering of friends and neighbors to share in a performance by one of your favorite musicians. It can be held in a living room, attic, back yard; whatever space is suitable. It’s a wonderful opportunity to hear a performer up close and personal. it is a fun and safe event that music lovers of all ages can enjoy,and can beheld at anytime of the day or year. How many people attend? This number is of course determined by the size of your space and how many people you want in your home. The average house concert is any where from 15-35 people. Although some larger concerts have been known to swell to over 300! Usually 30 people is normal, which is 15 friends plus guest. You also have the option of making this strictly a private affair or doing some promotion and opening your doors to the public. What are the costs? The cost to you is minimal. For example, you may need to rent extra seating, or you may want to provide a spread of food, etc… These costs can be reduced (if not eliminated) by asking every one to bring their own chair and declaring a potluck. Remember that this is a gathering of friends and they don’t mind helping out. Because of the size of the event, the music is either a solo or duo act that requires little or no gear. This means no sound equipment for you to rent, and no trucks full of gear pulling up to your driveway terrifying the neighbors! How does the musician get paid? You charge a fee in advance or at the door (usually in the $15-20 range), which you call a donation to the performer (If you sell the seats in advance, you know exactly how many people to expect.). The term “Donation” sounds less like business and helps to keep the private party theme. Also the performer may wish to sell his CD’s at the party; this can be discussed before the concert and arrangements can be made. OK, I’m interested, now what? Please contact me directly by e-mail: shawn@shawntrotter.com Or by phone: 905-979-0155 and we can discuss any questions you may have in more detail. Some additional on-line resorces: Wikipedia Article on House concerts
Bob Bossin’s page on how to put on a House Concert
Acoustic Roof, Canadian House Concert Resorce

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