BYOM

Bring Your Own Music

Sounds of Summer

Yes,

Bring Your Own Music

Party

What does a barbecue, a pool party, a scavenger hunt, and hot weather have in common? They’re all too common.

Here is an idea that has some promise. And chances are you haven’t yet attempted this. What if you had a party where everyone that came brought their own music, participated, was engaged, and left wanting to do it again?

(Bring Your Own Music) Party

What is it? Each party guest brings a CD or YouTube video of a favorite piece of music. No restrictions on what it is. That’s the surprise. The music we predict a person will bring might turn out to be something totally unexpected -- like it’s from another planet. That’s OK. The music should be the guest’s favorite piece. It can be any style or genre, but it should to be a favorite or at least their favorite at the moment.

WHY do this? Because it’s not a scavenger hunt, Twister, or Karaoke.

The idea is to have a true listening event. (No one can be intimidated that someone is going to come and try in vain to show off their latest effort; The Stumblebee boogie.)

It’s not at all about playing an instrument. It is totally about listening to “other” music – music that may take you way out of your own box. It’s a way to stretch your mind a little and get some innovative ideas to use later.

Each game, to be a good, has some rules. Well, here they are.

I. Each guest should bring a CD of their favorite piece. Or they can bring up a video on YouTube.

II. Each guest has 10 minutes. (Might want to limit the

number of guests. 30 guests could take you well into the morning hours.)

III. During their 10 minute presentation each guest will play/demonstrate/talk about their favorite piece of music. The ten minutes can be spent in a variety of ways: simply using the entire time to listen to the piece; describing why the piece is a favorite for 5 minutes and listening for 5 minutes; posing questions for a minute and listening for 9; creating a visual diagram of the piece for 7 minutes and listening for 3 minutes; you get the idea...right?

IV. After all guests have presented their favorite music, a brief congenial discussion of the music will follow. You may use the evaluation of "It's got a good beat and you can dance to it." (Dick Clark) No snarking. Save that for the after-party.

V. The “winner” is the person who shared a piece of music most of the room felt stretched their minds but wasn’t repugnant. Give an award for creativity, too. Oh...and the best hors d'oeuvres.

VI. The winner then gets to play their favorite piece of music one more time.

This should create a party where everyone can participate without fear, be engaged, be surprised, experience some new ideas, and hear some out-of-the-ordinary music.