SOLO GUITAR PERFORMANCES
Nov thru May – P O Box 385 • Convent Station, New Jersey 07961
Jun thru Oct – P O Box 1179 • Barnstable, Massachusetts 02630
E Mail
THE PROGRAM
Tom Silver’s musical program draws from an eclectic mix of the Spanish, or Classical Guitar; the Brazilian guitar masterpieces of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Luiz Bonfa and Heitor Villa-Lobos; George Gershwin, Hoagy Carmichael, Henry Mancini, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lennon-McCartney; and other favorites from the worlds of Jazz, Broadway and Popular Music. Also included are examples of hauntingly beautiful Celtic classics.
So, you may hear a wonderful Bach transcription for guitar followed by a lilting guitar piece from the work of 19th century Spanish Guitarist Fernando Sor followed by some 1940’s Jazz followed by some popular 1960’s arrangements for solo guitar followed by some traditional Irish music. All music is performed on unaccompanied solo guitar – there are no vocals.
Tom Silver typically uses two instruments at a performance – a Spanish/Classical Guitar for most of the performance, and an acoustic steel string guitar which provides the “sustain” or ringing tones that add so much to some of the music. Carefully tailored amplification is available where appropriate.
Because most of his repertoire consists of concert level and commissioned arrangements, Mr. Silver regrets that he cannot take requests.
THE VENUES
Tom Silver’s program is appropriate for many occasions, events, and functions, and at many kinds of venues. For example, during a recent summer Mr. Silver presented his program on Cape Cod at libraries, art galleries, museums, historical societies and other non-profit organizations, craft fairs and coffee houses. Often the music was a backdrop for receptions, fund raisers or simple social gatherings. The music works equally well for many business and social functions, including private dinner parties at home or in any number of possible settings.
HOUSE CONCERTS
An interesting and relatively new idea is a recital in your own home, usually known as a “house” or “living room” concert. This is a musical event where you or someone you know sponsors a recital at home for friends, family, neighbors, business contacts – whomever you’d like to invite. As few as 8 to 20 guests are a reasonable group size, although space and seating may allow for more people. Each guest makes a “door” contribution for performer compensation, and if there will be refreshments later, perhaps adds a few dollars to help offset those costs.
The suggested contribution for the performer as well as choice of day, time and recital length are mutually agreed upon. Often a good timing choice is a Sunday afternoon recital, perhaps starting at 3 or 4:00 – or Sunday evening early, perhaps starting at 6 pm. Of course many other options may be considered. To help lower the door contribution, the performer may be permitted to bring along some of his or her recordings (CDs) for purchase by interested guests.
IS TOM SILVER’S MUSIC WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR?
This music is best suited for small to moderate size events of up to several hundred people, with 20 to 100 probably ideal. The unaccompanied Spanish or Classical Guitar – even amplified – is something of an intimate instrument and therefore probably is unsuitable for larger groups.
Also key are the musical tastes of those who will be present. Tom Silver’s repertoire has played best with people age 50 and up, and may disappoint those expecting a rock band. Boisterous parties – definitely not! You are welcome to visit the CD Store and “Music Clips” pages of this web site to see and listen to a sampling of the repertoire.
WHAT IS THE COST?
Each event is custom quoted, with the cost mainly based on travel time to and from the venue, total performance time and whether sale of Mr. Silver’s CD recordings is permissible.. To discuss a performance at your event, kindly use the “Contact Us” page to provide a phone number or initiate an e mail conversation.
WHAT ARE MR. SILVER’S REQUIREMENTS AT YOUR VENUE?
Tom Silver provides his own equipment for the performance. That includes a specially designed “guitar chair”, music stand with lighting, amplifier(s) and guitar microphone if needed, and extension cords (up to a maximum of 50 ft.).
Here is what the venue should provide:
a) Handy electrical outlets (or reachable by extension cord) if there will be amplification. For outdoor performances, particularly at parks or village greens, the venue should provide extension cords in excess of 50 ft. if needed.
b) Footprint (square footage) for performance space: 25 to 30 sq. ft. is the ideal footprint, but Mr. Silver can work with less – which may be necessary for smaller venues such as house concerts.
c) Time for set up and warm up, and a place to warm up not directly fronting an arriving audience. These points are key to a successful performance. Mr. Silver usually likes to arrive an hour and a half early, to prepare performance space and to warm up.
d) Advance look at the venue, if within reasonable driving distance. To minimize risk of unanticipated problems, Mr. Silver asks to see the performance site before performance day.