any places for young musicians to play music in Christmas season? (Austin: homes, school)

[flysinger]

We have a group of very talented young musicians who want to play Christmas music for community in holiday season. Any idea or recommendation would be very appreciated.

[kitkatbar]

Try contacting nursing homes to see if you can set up an appointment for them to come in and play. I used to bring groups of kids to do this every year and it was appreciated.

[flysinger]

Thanks above for the info. Yes, we go nursing home regularly. Just wonder whether any other opportunities to play for public

[thatdesertdude]

I would think maybe a local coffee shop. There are a few in Downtown Georgetown, 30 mins north of Austin. I'm sure they would welcome some local talent

[kitkatbar]

We also sometimes went to the local mall. Kind of depends on the size of your group, what mix of instruments, skill level and age of kids.

The nursing home is nice because they're going to have plenty of chairs available for you and a nice big room where you can perform so all you need to bring in is stands/instruments. A coffee shop could be good if they have a stage where they do open mic nights. I could see a small crowded place getting tricky because they may not want you taking limited seating away from paying customers. The hard thing about playing at the mall was always that they would usually agree to let us play and assign us some corner, but we had to bring everything, and that included chairs for any instruments that couldn't play standing. If you're talking three flutes, no big deal. If you have cellos and tubas and bassoons... that's getting to be a lot of equipment to schlep.

[escanlan]

Originally Posted by flysinger

Thanks above for the info. Yes, we go nursing home regularly. Just wonder whether any other opportunities to play for public

Check out group homes for handicapped/disabled. One of the most gratifying concert I participated in was for a group of mentally disabled kids. Afterwards we turned over our instruments to them and let them give us a concert. I've never seen so many huge smiles in one place before that!


Another place are military installations. Unless they have gotten whacked out they will find some room for them at the chow hall and you can give a dinner show to some very deserving people.


Another place are large, large hospitals. Some have huge entry areas away from critical room areas you can play and patients can come down for that. Or they too can set you up in their cafeteria area if it's large enough. Again children's hospitals are great places for this.


Another place are homeless shelters. Just because people are homeless doesn't mean they would not want to listen to a good concert. You would be surprised!


Another place is just right out in a large open area just before/in the middle of rush hour, say an open square of some type. Good way to get the general population into the swing of the season and relieve some normal daily stress.

[kitkatbar]

Originally Posted by escanlan

Check out group homes for handicapped/disabled. One of the most gratifying concert I participated in was for a group of mentally disabled kids. Afterwards we turned over our instruments to them and let them give us a concert. I've never seen so many huge smiles in one place before that!


Another place are military installations. Unless they have gotten whacked out they will find some room for them at the chow hall and you can give a dinner show to some very deserving people.


Another place are large, large hospitals. Some have huge entry areas away from critical room areas you can play and patients can come down for that. Or they too can set you up in their cafeteria area if it's large enough. Again children's hospitals are great places for this.


Another place are homeless shelters. Just because people are homeless doesn't mean they would not want to listen to a good concert. You would be surprised!


Another place is just right out in a large open area just before/in the middle of rush hour, say an open square of some type. Good way to get the general population into the swing of the season and relieve some normal daily stress.

Great suggestions!

[CarnivalGal]

I would reach out to the Galleria in Bee Cave and the Domain. I know they have had school groups and choirs perform there before. Youmay also want to reach out to Mozarts, since they do their big light show and maybe the folks who organize the Trail of Lights.