FESTIVAL OF FRIENDS EVENTS - FAQ
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People always have questions when they find out about Festival of Friends Events. Have a question you can't find answered below? Contact us and we'll get back to you.
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1. How does Festival of Friends define participant skill levels for a particular series and/or related events?
Festival of Friends Events is focused on recreational musicians with an existing, intermediate to advanced level skill-set they can readily apply in a rehearsal and/or live band setting. You need not have prior stage experience to participate but it is important you can play your instrument proficiently, accurately learn playing parts on your own or with your instructor, sing in key, etc.
The definitions below apply to both Songmixers and Bandmixers and assume you can accurately learn material on your own and play your instrument at a level that won't hold other participants back or negatively impact the presentation of the material:
Still not sure? If you have questions and/or concerns about your particular skill-set level as it relates to a series, please contact us.
2. Aren't Songmixers just live jam sessions?
Nope! When you sign up for a Festival of Friends bandshare performance event it's like joining a pick-up league for recreational musicians and it's a great introduction to how we do things and the community itself. Each Songmixers event is designed around a carefully curated theme, musical challenge and vibe along with pre-determined set lists (20 songs). It's an effective and simple way to bring talented recreational musicians together to entertain friends, family and the local community.
3. Are there auditions or rehearsals in the Songmixers format?
No. The Songmixers event format is designed to strip the collaborative playing and performance experience down to its bare essentials including a well-curated set list, goal-oriented practice time, like-minded musicians, a great show atmosphere and a guaranteed good time. Musicians who sign up for an event are committed to putting in their time to prepare for the show. See the Bandmixers format for longer-form and rehearsal-based programming.
4. I've been playing music alone at home for years with limited experience playing with other people. Is a Festival of Friends series or event right for me?
Absolutely! Festival of Friends events are a fantastic way for skilled armchair and weekend players to explore playing and performing music with other musicians. The best part is, once you participate, you'll meet other musicians just like yourself. We see lots of repeat players at these events too. There's no better way to explore new styles of music and challenge yourself in all new ways than a Festival of Friends event. See our community experiences page for first-hand testimonials.
5. I'm a seasoned musician who has played in bands for years. What can I possibly get out of this?
If you're tired of playing the same old songs or have been confined to a specific musical genre with your past or present-day band, Festival of Friends Events is a great way to break up the monotony by exploring new playing territory. A huge benefit of participating in Festival of Friends Events is the simple fact that you will meet new and like-minded players who you'll actually play and perform music with. The possibilities are endless and where it goes from there is up to you. See our community experiences page for first-hand testimonials.
6. How do participating musicians learn the songs they're playing on?
Event participants learn in a wide variety of ways but each person is responsible for learning their song parts. Some learn by ear, some with sheet music, some from Songster or YouTube videos while others might work with a music instructor on their own. As a reference point everyone should be learning their song parts as originally recorded on the studio albums.
7. What are participant expectations in a Festival of Friends event?
Each participant must show up practiced and prepared for the show. Everyone is accountable to one another and you must know your parts prior to the event to the very best of your ability. As a participating musician you are committed to the event's objective (putting on the best performance possible) and respecting the other participants. Everyone who gets involved has a little bit different background and playing experience so we expect everyone to come into an event with a positive and supportive attitude.
8. Do women musicians participate in Festival of Friends events?
Most definitely! While we can't guarantee the gender makeup of any event, we can tell you that lots of women participate in this community. All events offer a safe, fun, supportive and welcoming environment to connect everyday musicians and perform live music.
9. Is it one and done or can people sign up for an event as a repeat performer?
We highly encourage people to stay involved in upcoming events as a way to continue to participate in, and further nurture, the local FoF community. Even if you've put a long-term project together or are in a band of your own, the more folks that participate the stronger this particular community becomes. The goal here is to get people playing music with other musicians in an on-going manner.
10. Do I have to live in the city the event is being held in order to participate?
Absolutely not. We actually encourage outside participants to get involved in our events whenever you're available to do so. Festival of Friends Events are a great way for "wandering musicians" to do something really fun and different while on vacation or business travel. It's fun to mix with the locals too!
11. How much does it cost to participate in a Festival of Friends event?
We do our best to keep participation costs low (prices vary depending on event format and location) and believe the money charged and value provided to you and the community far outweigh the hassles of meeting new players and the band-building process often entails. See individual location and event listings for specifics.
12. What is your refund policy if I'm registered and have to drop out of a series or event?
If you've registered (paid your full registration fee) and find yourself needing to drop out more than four weeks before rehearsals are scheduled to begin or an event is scheduled for, we'll issue you a 50% refund. If you drop out four weeks or less, you forfeit your full registration fee. We try to be fair regarding refunds but need to take the other participants time, effort and overall experience into consideration when doing so. Losing a participant on short notice can be challenging for everyone involved. If an event is cancelled we will refund you 100%.
Festival of Friends Events is focused on recreational musicians with an existing, intermediate to advanced level skill-set they can readily apply in a rehearsal and/or live band setting. You need not have prior stage experience to participate but it is important you can play your instrument proficiently, accurately learn playing parts on your own or with your instructor, sing in key, etc.
The definitions below apply to both Songmixers and Bandmixers and assume you can accurately learn material on your own and play your instrument at a level that won't hold other participants back or negatively impact the presentation of the material:
- Intermediate: Someone who has played for at least a few years on their primary instrument and can accurately learn, play and perform a small set of songs with few, if any, mistakes.
- Advanced: Someone who "owns" the song they're involved with. Someone who knows their instrument well enough to where the song becomes second nature and their musical/artistic personality shines through. They can easily make it through basically any pop/rock song hearing it once or twice before attempting to play it and can lead the band as needed.
Still not sure? If you have questions and/or concerns about your particular skill-set level as it relates to a series, please contact us.
2. Aren't Songmixers just live jam sessions?
Nope! When you sign up for a Festival of Friends bandshare performance event it's like joining a pick-up league for recreational musicians and it's a great introduction to how we do things and the community itself. Each Songmixers event is designed around a carefully curated theme, musical challenge and vibe along with pre-determined set lists (20 songs). It's an effective and simple way to bring talented recreational musicians together to entertain friends, family and the local community.
3. Are there auditions or rehearsals in the Songmixers format?
No. The Songmixers event format is designed to strip the collaborative playing and performance experience down to its bare essentials including a well-curated set list, goal-oriented practice time, like-minded musicians, a great show atmosphere and a guaranteed good time. Musicians who sign up for an event are committed to putting in their time to prepare for the show. See the Bandmixers format for longer-form and rehearsal-based programming.
4. I've been playing music alone at home for years with limited experience playing with other people. Is a Festival of Friends series or event right for me?
Absolutely! Festival of Friends events are a fantastic way for skilled armchair and weekend players to explore playing and performing music with other musicians. The best part is, once you participate, you'll meet other musicians just like yourself. We see lots of repeat players at these events too. There's no better way to explore new styles of music and challenge yourself in all new ways than a Festival of Friends event. See our community experiences page for first-hand testimonials.
5. I'm a seasoned musician who has played in bands for years. What can I possibly get out of this?
If you're tired of playing the same old songs or have been confined to a specific musical genre with your past or present-day band, Festival of Friends Events is a great way to break up the monotony by exploring new playing territory. A huge benefit of participating in Festival of Friends Events is the simple fact that you will meet new and like-minded players who you'll actually play and perform music with. The possibilities are endless and where it goes from there is up to you. See our community experiences page for first-hand testimonials.
6. How do participating musicians learn the songs they're playing on?
Event participants learn in a wide variety of ways but each person is responsible for learning their song parts. Some learn by ear, some with sheet music, some from Songster or YouTube videos while others might work with a music instructor on their own. As a reference point everyone should be learning their song parts as originally recorded on the studio albums.
7. What are participant expectations in a Festival of Friends event?
Each participant must show up practiced and prepared for the show. Everyone is accountable to one another and you must know your parts prior to the event to the very best of your ability. As a participating musician you are committed to the event's objective (putting on the best performance possible) and respecting the other participants. Everyone who gets involved has a little bit different background and playing experience so we expect everyone to come into an event with a positive and supportive attitude.
8. Do women musicians participate in Festival of Friends events?
Most definitely! While we can't guarantee the gender makeup of any event, we can tell you that lots of women participate in this community. All events offer a safe, fun, supportive and welcoming environment to connect everyday musicians and perform live music.
9. Is it one and done or can people sign up for an event as a repeat performer?
We highly encourage people to stay involved in upcoming events as a way to continue to participate in, and further nurture, the local FoF community. Even if you've put a long-term project together or are in a band of your own, the more folks that participate the stronger this particular community becomes. The goal here is to get people playing music with other musicians in an on-going manner.
10. Do I have to live in the city the event is being held in order to participate?
Absolutely not. We actually encourage outside participants to get involved in our events whenever you're available to do so. Festival of Friends Events are a great way for "wandering musicians" to do something really fun and different while on vacation or business travel. It's fun to mix with the locals too!
11. How much does it cost to participate in a Festival of Friends event?
We do our best to keep participation costs low (prices vary depending on event format and location) and believe the money charged and value provided to you and the community far outweigh the hassles of meeting new players and the band-building process often entails. See individual location and event listings for specifics.
12. What is your refund policy if I'm registered and have to drop out of a series or event?
If you've registered (paid your full registration fee) and find yourself needing to drop out more than four weeks before rehearsals are scheduled to begin or an event is scheduled for, we'll issue you a 50% refund. If you drop out four weeks or less, you forfeit your full registration fee. We try to be fair regarding refunds but need to take the other participants time, effort and overall experience into consideration when doing so. Losing a participant on short notice can be challenging for everyone involved. If an event is cancelled we will refund you 100%.