By local musician Dr Michael Whiticker
House concerts are very popular and it is easy to see why. It allows the host to put on a concert of their choice in the comfort of their own home for invited friends. It may mean they can feature themselves, their children or their friends on the program.
There can be a lot of positives so what needs to be considered before taking the plunge and putting one on? Firstly there are risk management issues – you need to concern yourself with noise restrictions, warn your neighbours and accomodate extra parking in your street. You will need to be aware of extra demands on your bathroom facilities, provide cups of tea, coffee, water and snacks, and promote your event to the people you want to come. You will generally ask a donation (fee) for the artists, and provide a small PA for the event.
It is not a party, but people will treat it as such, so a little amplification will be necessary or your musicians won’t be heard. (It should cost from about $300 for a quality small PA with operator for a 90 minute concert. Less if you hire the gear and do it yourself, more if you bring in a professional PA company.) Unless you are aiming for an intimate event for friends only, you will need to promote it to your target audience, so anticipate time spent creating invitations and building an email and social media list.
Do some research online regarding such things as public liability. This is always a tricky area, though if your concert is by invitation only, things are unlikely to go wrong, after all there is little difference between a house concert and a private party. If your musicians have their own insurance and the donation you ask is not a door fee, and you are making no money from it above covering your costs, then you shouldn’t have any concerns. I always recommend making a house concert a morning or afternoon tea event as then people don’t expect to be drinking and it adds that little formal edge which many musicians enjoy. Most people however see house concerts as a bit of a party and that is when you may need to worry about crowd control, people falling into the pool etc. so there are risks involved, but the rewards can be compelling. I have been attending house concerts for years. I remember the few “house with no walls” concerts I attended in Eumundi 14 years ago when I first moved to the coast. I just had a quick look online and they are still going – fantastic. They have a wonderful attitude and share their beautiful and rather extraordinary house and grounds often with over 100 like-minded people. I don’t think you can beat the experience and you can get to hear some great music live!
Have a wonderful musical month.
