FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Prospective customers should know the following about my pricing policy: I work to find a fair price that works for both the customer and me. I always aim to find a cost that doesn't break the bank, but accurately reflects the services that I provide, as well as the talents of my musicians. Music can often be a factor that makes an event stellar and memorable, as opposed to mundane and commonplace. I frequently work with clients that have never hired live musicians before, but instantly become fans of live music after hearing one of my ensembles perform. That being said, if you want QUALITY live music, it does come at a certain price point. I am always trying to find affordable deals for my musical services. In general, my minimum pricing for a solo performer for 1 hour is $300-$500, depending on the location. However, a solo performer for 2 hours may only be $350-$500, as opposed to double the cost of the 1 hour rate of $300. In addition, it's important to me for customers to know that my hourly rate of $200 per hour is typically per musician per hour, not per ensemble. For example, if you wanted to hire a 6 piece band for your 4 hour wedding reception, definitely expect to pay more than $800 total for the band. Furthermore, the $200 per hour is an ESTIMATION of the cost for my services. A large number of factors goes into my pricing, including but not limited to the following: -Is your event being held during peak season or off-peak season? Peak season is typically from April to August, September, and December. -Is your event being held on a weekday or weekend? Our highest performance rates are typically for Saturday evening events, as this is the busiest and most coveted slot for events in the music industry. In other words, the most popular night of any week for someone to host an event is Saturday evening. Thus, a particular ensemble will likely cost more on a Saturday evening than a Wednesday afternoon. -What type of event are you having? Every type of event has a unique number of responsibilities that come along with it. For example, a wedding reception that requires the band to emcee and provide full sound coverage carries more responsibility than a corporate event in which a jazz trio is playing background music. -How much demand is there for the LPE ensemble that you want for your event? Some of my ensembles are in higher demand than others. An ensemble in higher demand may commandeer a larger fee than an ensemble that holds less demand for its musical services. -What's the total time commitment? The cost for LPE Ensembles is calculated by the total time commitment from the moment that the performers step into the venue, as well as the distance that they have to travel to reach that event. For example, if you are having a 5 hour event and want the band to be set up at the beginning of the event, but only perform for the last 2 hours of the event, that event would be treated as a 5 hour event. -Where is your event taking place? Particular regions that are more geographically remote than others may involve a travel fee. Many musicians tend to live in or near large metropolises such as Baltimore, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, or New York. If you are having your wedding in Cape May, NJ, you should be prepared for the possibility of having to hire a group from the Philadelphia region due to lack of quality and quantity of local performers in the Cape May, NJ area. My performers are top notch musicians with advanced degrees in music from institutions like The Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, New England Conservatory, and The Manhattan School of Music that have thousands of hours of dedication to their craft, and often performance careers that span decades long. As my reviews and rating indicate, my performers and me offer a premium musical experience.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
My typical process for working with a new customer begins with showing them the array of musical services we provide. Louis Pettinelli Entertainment is a full service music agency, meaning that we provide over a dozen types of ensembles and types of musical entertainment. Some of the types of ensembles we provide include solo piano services, jazz duo, jazz trio, acoustic rock duo, solo piano for a wedding ceremony, and even a six piece top 40 wedding band. After showing a new customer the services that accurately correspond to their request, I also show them information about the company's background, including our major clients and training. All of my staff are full-time, professional musicians that consistently rank as some of the most talented and passionate musicians in the Tri-State Area. In addition, they are completely reliable, and are true professionals in every sense of the word. After showing the prospective customer samples, I explain what makes us different from any other band or agency on Thumbtack, and work to find a price that works for both the customer and I.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My training in music is extensive. I hold a bachelor's degree in music from a four-year university, where I studied upright bass in both classical and jazz formats for several years. Equally as important, however, is my practical training. I have been a part of the music scene in the Tri-State Area and MD/VA/DC Area for years. Rather than having sat behind a desk and sent musicians out to various events, I have worked as a freelance musician for years, and continue to do so, both as a sideman and band leader. I am continually in demand as a bassist throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and even Washington D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia. From still continuing to perform hundreds of events per year, I know what a good band should sound like, and what the optimal behavior and performance for live music should entail. I have immersed myself in the local music scene so that I have first-hand experience. This is important, and a differentiating factor, in my opinion. Many of the heads of booking agencies consign themselves to a "desk job" role, and greatly minimize the amount of performing they do, or stop altogether. People hiring musicians for an event want someone who has first hand experience and practical knowledge of what an event with live musicians requires. Every musician that I hire, play with, or send out to an event has been "battle-tested", so to speak, and can be ensured to be reliable, professional, and deliver a premium service.