FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GENERAL

Q.  Should I hire an orchestra from a website?  

 A.  Be cautious.  Pay attention to the band’s reputation.  Listen to previous customers and audience members.  Did they have fun?   Photos, video and audio demos may not adequately capture the emotion or energy of a performance.  Current band members may not be the same performers who made the demos.  Come see us live at a public performance (or call us to attend a rehearsal.).  Be sure that the context of the performance you see is appropriate to what you want.  We would probably not be playing big band swing at a ragtime ball.  Look at our website very carefully.  It will tell you what tunes we play and what we look and sound like.  It will tell you what our previous experience has been. It will tell you what we need from you in the way of support.  It will tell you where you can see and hear us.

Q.  Will everyone, young or old, like this music? Can they dance to it?

 A.  No one band or tune will please absolutely everyone.  We do not do rap, metal, cajun, country western or disco.  That doesn’t mean your guests won’t enjoy us.  Our style of music was popular 50 to 100 years ago.   If you listen carefully to your TV, ours is the style of music which is being played behind the ads or as background to most movies or TV shows.  It has survived, and for good reason.  It is energetically rhythmic and inspires people to have fun together. They don’t need to be trained swing or ballroom dancers. If they can move at all, we’ll have them dancing.  (And we can teach them to dance - just ask.)  Did you see “The Aviator”?  Have you seen “Mad Hot Ballroom”?

Q.  Is HOTS too big or too loud for my room?

A.  Usually not.  We bring between 12 and 15 performers.  We could cut down, but then our custom arrangements will no longer fit and you’d not really be getting the sound and variety you asked us for.  Would the Beatles still be the Beatles if they left Ringo at home?   We ask for a space 12’ deep by 20’ wide but we might squeeze into less.  Most smaller combos take up at least an 8’ by 12’ space just for their piano, bass and drum set.  We enjoy small intimate audiences.  We can play very softly without amplification, or with just a microphone to balance the vocalists.  People tell us they enjoy being able to talk to each other at our events.  (Sometimes they talk too loud, and then we’re annoyed.) 

Q.   Why do you charge so much?  Can’t you give us a better price?  You seem to be having so much fun, and you’re getting great exposure.

A.  We like what we do.  Experts will tell you, give your guests good food, good drinks and a very good band – they’ll make your party.  The French have a word for what we do – “animer”.  We “animate” or breathe life into your party.  That’s what you’re paying for.  We can seldom coordinate start times to allow us to work two events the same day.  There is travel and set up time to consider.  So, whether you hire us for two hours or four, we give you our whole day.  Most of our musicians work other jobs, so they are giving up their weekend family time to play for you.  In addition to paying each player, the band has to pay it’s own overhead.  We thank you for the “exposure”, but exposure takes about a year to pay off, and we have to eat.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Q.   What are the minimum stage or space dimensions needed?

A.  HOTS needs stage space approximately 15' wide by 12' deep.  We do not need to be up higher than the dance floor.  HOTS plays seated, hence needs twelve armless chairs.   It would be convenient to have a “green room” or closet not far from the performance stage where we can store our instrument cases, etc. 

Q.  What sound amplification support do you need?

A.  HOTS can provide its own sound amplification (PA) system with mixing console, amplifier, and microphones, etc.  If you prefer, we can use your sound system.  If necessary, HOTS can perform acoustically, with a single microphone for vocals and announcements, or we can accommodate your mic-ing everything (maximum 16 inputs.)  The string bass player provides his own amp, the guitar player provides his own amp, and the electronic piano is sufficiently loud with its built-in amp.  There is no need to mike the drum set.  We use two 50 watt speakers on trees for mains and two 50 watt speakers on the floor for monitors.  For larger halls and outdoor performances, additional or larger loudspeakers would be helpful.  No outboard gear (compressors, equalizers, delays, reverbs) is needed.

Q.  How many microphones do you need?

A.  On average, HOTS uses five microphones on boom stands in the following priority order  - one in front center for vocals, one between the first alto and second tenor sax, one between the flute and third alto sax, one for the first trumpet and one for the trombone.  If additional microphones are available, we would add one at the piano for announcements and to share for vocals from within the band.

Q.  Do you need a piano? Grand or upright?  Other instruments or music stands, etc.?

A.  HOTS prefers to use its own electronic piano, but if you prefer, can use your own recently tuned grand piano.  HOTS brings all its own instruments, instrument stands, music stands, stand lights and props.  

Q.  Do you need any other technical support?

A.  HOTS is self-sufficient.  We don’t need any stagehands, sound technicians, lighting, or dressing rooms.  Overseas, HOTS brings its own power transformers and only needs access to two standard 50HZ/220V power outlets.  In a pinch, we can make do with one power outlet, or connect to a gasoline driven generator.