Reunion activities-11

These activities are from many reunions, reported first in Reunions magazine. We invite you to e-mail us your special reunion activities.

Music

The family that sings together
For families who have an affinity for music, along with talent, reunions are ideal places to share their interests. The Benrud Family Reunion must be melodious, indeed. The Benrud Choir, high school age and up, sings for the talent show and church service. A younger group, The Benrud Family Singers, is for children grades three through eight; they also sing both days. Finally, The Benrud Band serenades the family picnic and is for players of all ages and all instruments. Musicians can request music in advance on the registration form, where they also list their instruments and skill levels. Whether members in these groups or not, everyone is encouraged to perform in the talent show. A five-minute time limit is enforced, because with so much talent a reunion of 400 members could have an endless show.
Reported by Julie Backus, Port Washington WI.

Watch out, Leoti, Kansas
When the Wilson/Leverich Family Reunion announced its “Blue Buffalo Grass Festival” they sought to involve everyone of all ages. They promised all kinds of music, instruments, group singing, individual talent -- even karaoke: “If that’s your thing, bring your own tape or CD.”
This notice was sent to encourage participation.

Kids, think the old hymns need a shot of energy? Here’s your chance to put the joy in “joyful noise.” Send me words (music too?) of your favorite peppy choruses and church camp songs and I’ll print them in the Wilson/Leverich songbook. Then join in singing.

Serious music lovers, this family prints sing-a-long songbooks with songs they remember hearing their parents and grandparents sing and play. The list for a recent reunion included My Own Little Sweethearts, Sarah Jane, the Cat Came Back, Treat My Daughter Kindly, Two Little Girls in Blue, Springtime in the Rockies, ‘Twas a Nice October Morning, Pop Goes the Weasel, Little Brown Jug, Whispering Hope and Church in the Wildwood. Compositions from some serious family musicians also were included.
For the very young, including pre-schoolers, a children’s bell choir was formed to entertain.

Reported by Phyllis Rowland, Scott City, Kansas

Feaster/Lyles family sings praise
Cassandra Hamilton, Hampton, Virginia, reports that the Feaster/Lyles Family Reunion holds a Prayer Breakfast on Sunday morning, where a local minister delivers a message and their own family choirs provide the music. The mature Feaster-Lyles Family Choir and The New Generation Choir provide inspirational, religious songs. Hamilton says, “We have quite a few truly musically talented family members.

Make a joyful noise
We discovered a great music starter idea in the Restoration Hardware catalog (www.restorationhardware.com). The product is called Family Band. It looks like a fun item for families who are into making music, whether rehearsed or improv. Your family might be enchanted with this collection, which includes bongos, ruthromel and stick, box shaker, snocker, tambourine and maracas. Make a joyful noise.

Arranging for live music
Martha Jo Dendinger, CMP, in an article in Meetings & Conventions Magazine (1998) lists some issues for hiring reunion music.
To hire live talent, gather recommendations. Ask for suggestions from other reunion planners, the CVB, a university’s school of music, and contacts at the venue where the event will be held. Bands who play regularly at facilities know the layout and its special requirements or restrictions.
When you’ve made a list, see and hear the group or deejay in person at a similar event or view a videotape of an actual performance. Ask performers for references. Ask references whether talent arrived on time and performed according to the contract. Discuss payment terms, cancellation policies, and uncover any special requirements or fees.

Contracts
Put basics in writing: date, time, place, style of music and budget. Ask for a proposal that lists the personnel number, music style, fees, setup, rehearsal requirements and any special needs. Outline your song list in detail. Contract performers should arrive an hour prior to show time. Provide a special area for changing, breaks, etc.

Personalized parodies and reunion theme songs
Patty Sachs writes custom songs for special occasions and has written songs for big family gatherings, high school and law school reunions, a neighborhood reunion and even a reunion of former customers of a restaurant just before its closing. Anything created just for your reunion adds special meaning to the event. Sachs says her songs are “all about your reunion” in parody. She gets lots of information into a song. Song sheets are passed and the song becomes your reunion’s theme song, everyone humming and singing and having fun with it. Sachs also provides suggestions for how to present the song.

Contact Sachs at SongSendsations Custom Songs for Special Occasions, 904-272-0959; partysachs@prodigy.net; www.pattysachs.com/songs.htm. (where you can find sample lyrics). The fee of $150 includes research, song writing, the song recorded on cassette, permission to duplicate the cassette, a framed song sheet keepsake, and song sheets for all guests.

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