Ideas for music to play at formal event?
 

Hi everyone,
This Thursday, our school is having its grand opening dedication ceremony. This is going to be a really really posh event, with over 1200 people invited, including all the big faces around here. The Mayor, City Council, Superintendent, School Board, Congressmen Buck McKeon, and other dignitaries. I am producing the audio and television production of the event, which is going to be broadcast live to every classroom as well as Public Access Television. Part of my job is finding music to play for the event. I really am at a blank for what to play when people are introduced, moments where nothing is really happening, etc. I'm envisioning an "Academy Awards" style thing. Anyone have any ideas for songs, or even websites that have little clips to download? Thanks!

Well (says the girl with 1500 cds) what "type" of music are you looking for?

I would like to personally recommend Pink Floyd's 'The Wall'.

Dead Can Dance - The Carnival Is Over

It's funny how easy it is to come up with an entire slew of sarcastic responses (The Wall: "We don't need no education..." etc..) but more challenging to come up with some helpful ones.

Humm, Behind introductions you should have something instrumental not too hard or soft. You want it to blend in not distract from the mucky-mucks.

Karaoke music (or however you spell that) can be a good source.

Perhaps Google for "graduation music"

Random thoughts:

"On my way" The Proclaimers (Shrek soundtrack)
"Weapon of choice" - Good song but the title would probably nix it in this case

"Locomotive Breath" - Jethro Tull (the first 40sec or so looped)

Good luck!


EDITED TO ADD: Yo! Wendybeth, please note I was writting at the SAME time as you and did NOT see your post before I posted.

Lol! Yet you knew soemone would post it....

If I were you, I'd choose something sort of hip and sophisticated and fun. Maybe some Moby or Fat Boy Slim and some Propellerheads for energy........sheesh, there's so much!

Do you have the new Disney CD collection? Maybe there are cuts such as Fantasmic, Indy, or Believe that you could pull snippets from. :)

I should also note that this song has to be 100% entirelly school/family OK type of music. Most of my school, including the administration, is VERY, VERY conservative. We got in trouble for playing U2's "Vertigo" because it said someone had "Jesus 'round the neck".

I really like the suggestions so far. "On My Way" sounds pretty good, I think I'll use that at the end (you know...the school is on its way to a new future, etc).

Any sort of like rock or rap or anything won't really be right for the type of event its going to be, so I would really rather stay to stuff like soft jazz/60s/instrumental type music.

Thanks!
Sean

Look up some standards. Sinatra, Big Band stuff. Harry Connick Jr. is a gold mine for high quality standards. Sometimes the older versions have low studio quality. Start with the When Harry Met Sally soundtrack. Swanky and sophisticated.