HIRE THE BAND

The Panther Pep Band, Chamber Ensembles, & Jazz groups are available to perform for both private and public functions in our community. Whether you need a small combo or the entire big band, we can meet your needs. Proceeds are used to support the Panther Band.

For more information, please read below and then contact our Gig Coordinator for a discussion of your needs. Send an email with your contact information and requirements to: panther_band@sumnersd.org

What We Offer
Our small combos can play anything from early big band standards and show tunes. We can even put together special requests, as long as we have access to the music. Our entire jazz big band can also play at your event. This versatile ensemble can perform anything from the classics of the Woody Herman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Stan Kenton era, to compositions from contemporary composers. Past performances have ranged from providing background music for intimate gatherings to playing before crowds of 70,000 at Husky Band Day.

Pricing
A basic 3 or 4 person combo (piano or guitar, drums, bass, horn or vocalist) is $300. You can add more musicians at $50 per musician. The cost for hiring the entire Panther Studio Jazz Band of 18 to 20 musicians (typically piano, bass, drums, guitar, saxophones, trombones, and trumpets) is $1,000. Generally these fees include two sets of music, about 45 minutes each, with a 30 minute set-up window and a 15 minute break between sets. There are additional costs for increased time spent at the event and for travel outside Seattle. Special rates can be negotiated for public service and fundraising events. We will send an invoice via email, which you may pay by check or credit card. The emailed invoice has a link that easily allows you to make online payment by credit card. Checks are made out to Panther Parent Pride with Panther Band in the Memo line. We ask that invoices be paid no later than 2 weeks following the event. We suggest booking a jazz combo at least one month in advance because our musicians have many obligations, including full high school academic and music schedules during the school year. ***Special rates can be negotiated for public service and fundraising events!

Your Space
A 3 or 4 person combo needs an area of about 10 x 10 feet to perform. The full big band requires a larger area, at least 24 x 15 feet. Performers need access to electrical outlets. The groups travel with extension cords and power strips but we want to be sure that your lights stay on and that none of your guests trip on cords! The band brings its own instruments and sound equipment, including amplifiers for bass, keyboard and guitar. Please let us know if you have an on-site piano which you’d like us to use instead of our keyboard.

Performing Outdoors
The same space and electrical requirements apply. The drums, piano and bass cannot sit directly on grass unless it is completely dry and the ground is hard. Otherwise some of the instruments will sink into the ground. Plywood or some sort of flooring should be put down. The bass cannot be played in direct sunlight. If night falls while the group is performing, some lighting will be necessary for them to read their charts.

Parking and Unloading
Since there is a lot of equipment to move and set up, the closer the musicians can be to the stage when they are unloading, the easier and quicker it will be. They can then move their cars to wherever you want them to park during your event. It helps to know in advance whether there is a parking lot close by and what the fees are to park there. If possible we ask that students receive vouchers to cover parking fees.

Performance Considerations

• Space: A five person combo requires a 10’ x 10’ area to perform. Specific information about the venue (e.g. overall room or space description) is helpful for planning and selecting instruments.

• Power: Performers need access to two electrical outlets. More may be needed for small PA systems. The groups travel with extension cords and power strips. 

• Piano: Please let us know if you have an on-site piano which you’d like us to use instead of our keyboard.

• Outdoors: Outdoor performances have specific requirements in terms where the musicians can be placed. 

• Water: Please have water available, or easy access to a drinking fountain.

• Amplification: If the performance is in a large space such as a ballroom, additional amplification (microphones and PA system) will be needed.

• Parking: Since there is equipment to move and set up, the closer the musicians can be to the performance stage when they are unloading, the easier and quicker it will be to set up and teardown. It helps to know in advance whether there is a parking lot close by and what the fees are to park there. If possible, we ask that students receive vouchers to cover parking fees.

Contact Information
Musicians need the name and phone number of someone who will be on site during the time the band is scheduled to arrive and set-up.

For more detailed information, please contact us by sending an email to: panther_band@sumnersd.org. Because the musicians have many obligations, including full high school schedules, we suggest making your request as far in advance as possible, at least one month prior to your event.

Thank you for your interest in the Bonney Lake High School Panther Band!