A corporate party will be too bland without music to engage the guests. You definitely need live music, but is hiring a pianist the right choice?
Of course, yes. They offer a lot of versatility, and most trained pianists can play multiple genres. You can expect to find pianists specializing in classical, jazz standard, contemporary, pop, or folk.
With different styles of music, you will get a lively backdrop to your party that ebbs and flows smoothly throughout the night.
In this guide, we capture all you need to know before deciding whether to book a pianist for your upcoming corporate event.
There are a lot of upsides to hiring a pianist for a corporate party, which makes them a popular option for live music. Here’s why you have to hire a pianist for a night of fun:
Whether it’s a press launch, the CEO’s retirement, a gala dinner for stakeholders, a Christmas party, or even a charity fund-raiser, live piano music is perfectly appropriate.
It will only elevate the party's standard. Moreover, it’s cheaper than other options, like hiring a band.
Musically, you get a lot of flexibility. Most trained pianists will have a few styles of music that they have perfected and have set pieces that span different genres.
From jazz standards to modern-day pop and current hits everyone recognizes, you can mix classic with contemporary for a great vibe.
Pianists are adaptable and flexible due to the unique skill set they possess. If you give them a brief, you can expect them to stick to a music set list that goes perfectly with your theme.
Even without a brief contemporary music and jazz standard is the most popular choice for most pianists, and that’s pretty safe for most common corporate party themes.
The delicate nuance present in piano music has a classic beauty to it. It reminds you of elegant Hollywood sets and fancy galas of your youthful imaginings. Your party will have a tasteful, classic vibe that corporate events demand.
Before you hire, you need to know certain things about what you want. Here are some considerations that will make the process easier:
Which musicians you should hire depends on the style of music you want to perform at the event.
You can get someone who specialises in classical or jazz. There’s also the option of going with contemporary artists who play pop music and other recent hits.
There’s also the matter of budget. If you know which range you’re comfortable with, it’ll be easier to eliminate artists that don’t fit.
Asking your family and friends for recommendations is a good idea before you look for artists online or through local resources like music schools.
You can ask for the set list of artists you’re interested in to get an idea of what they’re most comfortable with and ask about their experience.
Now, if you’re doing a high-budget event for no scope of mistakes, taking auditions or watching them perform live beforehand is a great idea.
If you don’t know much about music, it’s a good idea to have someone with you who knows the technical details. Note down their stage presence and style. Those are important elements, too.
Ask the artists whether they need any storage space for their equipment, whether they prefer playing their own keyboard, or if one at the venue would be better.
The duration of performance, break time expected, cancellation policy, expected payment timeline, and deposits should also be discussed beforehand.
You can set different kinds of themes that will go perfectly with piano music if you adjust the style of music played. Here are some themes to consider.
For a simple event that isn’t too out there, you can go for a black-tie gala. It’s a classy option that everyone will appreciate. Expect everyone in their best attire, ready for a night of frivolous talk and party.
With piano music playing, the level of sophistication is elevated instantly and the upscale vibe of a black-tie gala matches perfectly.
Piano music invokes Hollywood nostalgia and we can’t help but think of old ‘40s noir films and ‘50s orchestral background scores. The glamorous mood of Hollywood is perfect for corporate events.
You can keep it black-tie, but there’s an additional element to the theme. Everyone gets to dress up as their favourite characters.
One theme we absolutely love is Vintage speakeasies. It’s got a dark, cozy vibe that adds a touch of adventure. With dim lighting, secret entries with passwords, intimate seating, and live piano music playing, your guests will be immersed in this experience.
Look for vintage decor pieces like posters, ornate barware, art pieces, etc., to make things magical. The pianist should have a set list with jazz and blue numbers of that classic era.
For another dark and mysterious idea, a masquerade ball sounds fun, too. Playing classical or jazz music for the event will be most befitting. You can keep the decor floral with lots of fabrics and draperies.
A sophisticated garden party can be lighthearted and entertaining. Just what everyone needs to uplift their mood. With pop and contemporary piano music, you can expect everyone to have a fun time mingling with each other.
For a night of playful fun, a casino night is a good idea, especially for a fundraising event with the winners donating their funds to the cause. Create the atmosphere of an upscale casino lounge with live piano music.
If you go ahead with hiring a pianist, we recommend you set up your mind as to what style of music you want. Look for artists with good recommendations.
With those things covered, you can surely fit piano music to almost any corporate party theme, and it will appear classy. Piano music also leaves a lot of room open for conversation, so your guests can mingle easily, which is important for these networking events.
With UK Live Entertainment, you can hire party musicians who have been vetted by us and rated by our clients. You can access all sorts of talented live musicians and entertainers for any kind of corporate event.
