DJs involvement at Class Reunions?

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C

Cesar

New DJ
Jun 23, 2008
1,500
2
Southern California
Should a DJ put on trivia contests or any other type of game during a Class Reunion or should it be done by the Class Committee?

Should the DJs role be only to play the music and get the crowds attention and make the committee look good as they do what ever interaction they want to do with their fellow class members.

For those of you that have attended Class reunions did you feel there was enough time for you to visit with everyone?

116
 
I have not DJ'd an class reunion, but of the ones I went to, I felt the DJ/MC (or rather, I) could have done a MUCH better job then whomever from the class was doing it. They could certainly have participated, but the DJ (again, I) should have lead them down the path to actually making it entertaining and not this long drawn out nightmare.
 
Cesar
I would say the answer to this is not definitive it's a) how comfortable the dj is with being more than the dj and b) how much the client or committee actually wants.

Kyle
 
Wayde

Forget that you are a DJ/MC, would you have given the MC your attention if lets say he was 10 years younger then the age group of your class? Did you really pay attention to the DJ/MC that wasn't a member of your Class from your school?

116
 
I would have given him my attention if he knew how to get and hold my attention, like a good MC should. Regardless of age. It's all about presentation.

And there was no MC at the reunions I attended, just a DJ. I'm not saying you need both at a reunion, I'm only saying that at the ones I attended the DJ never cracked the mic.

Why allow a group of people with no public speaking skills to go in front of a crowd cold. Don't hog the show, but help it flow, fill the dead spots, give them some pointers. You're a professional entertainer...help them.
 
I've done a few different reunions now...the latest being a 30 year. I find that alot of these are looking for just background music w/o much emcee work. They usually want to catch up on old times. If they say differently, then I kick it up a notch and work the crowd. Every crowd is different.
 
trafficgoo said:
I've done a few different reunions now...the latest being a 30 year. I find that alot of these are looking for just background music w/o much emcee work. They usually want to catch up on old times. If they say differently, then I kick it up a notch and work the crowd. Every crowd is different.
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I agree, they have all been mostly a social event.

It's just when they do their presentations and "clever" bits/giveaways/whatever that they could use a little help.
 
trafficgoo said:
I've done a few different reunions now...the latest being a 30 year. I find that alot of these are looking for just background music w/o much emcee work. They usually want to catch up on old times. If they say differently, then I kick it up a notch and work the crowd. Every crowd is different.
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I agree. For the first couple of hours, most of the guest are playing catch up. Then after dinner or buffet a couple of the ladies will want to hit the dance floor, then the music gets louder.
I would not play any games at these events. If I do it's because the organizer made a request for games. Then they will pay an additional 200.00 for my MC entertainer friend to join me. I MC but I refuse to play games.
 
Thanks DJ John The 1

I think many DJs forget that a Reunion is a time for catch up and any type of activities planned for these type of events should be kept to a minimum and should be done by the most recognized energetic class member they have in attendance.

Kind of reminds me of the DJ at a Wedding Reception that wants to play trivia games when the guests are waiting for the B/G during the first portion of a Wedding Reception.

I think these DJs forget that many relatives haven't seen each other in a while there isn't much time to socialize during the dignified time frame of the Wedding Ceremony so the first chance is during the beginning of the reception.

116
 
The ones I've done over the years, all the games and contest were ran or hosted by the committee and I supplied what ever music or sound effects they needed. I would not initiate one myself unless it was discussed with the committee prior to the reunion.
 
Cesar your points are great and valid but I would hope a professional dj would consult with the bride and groom or reunion committee prior to holding trivia contests or other hokey games at an event.

I had a bride that wanted the YMCA hats and a trivia game and scavenger hunt and all this cheezy crap.. i passed her to larry


kyle
 
As stated by others, a good DJ will find out what the customer wants and either give them what they want, or let the customer know that they are not best suited for they clients needed.

Some DJ's make a big mistake in assuming all brides and all reunion committees want the same thing.

Figure out what they want and either give that to them or let them know you can't. That's a professional way of handling it.
 
ditto the above comments about being flexible to whatever the committee dictates.

Reunions are for conversations, reminiscing, etc.

DJs are not usually the main focus at 20 or 30 year reunions, but there will be folks at 10 year reunions who will wanna cut the rug.! (They were the nerds in HS, but now they want to prove how cool they have become).
 
DJMC said:
ditto the above comments about being flexible to whatever the committee dictates.

Reunions are for conversations, reminiscing, etc.

DJs are not usually the main focus at 20 or 30 year reunions, but there will be folks at 10 year reunions who will wanna cut the rug.! (They were the nerds in HS, but now they want to prove how cool they have become).
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I thought we were...
 
Some weddings or reunions want games and ideas some don't. It's bad business to think that there is a pattern for every event. It makes sense to go into a meeting with these ideas ready should the need arise.

Unless you know everything.
 
I guess the key word is SOME as compared to the word Majority.

I would say it is bad business not to know that there is a pattern for just about every event. The truly Great DJs are the ones that realize the importance of pleasing the majority of the guests desires and knowing when a person that is hiring or interviewing you is making a mistake or not concerning the event.
 
Cesar said:
I guess the key word is SOME as compared to the word Majority.

I would say it is bad business not to know that there is a pattern for just about every event. The truly Great DJs are the ones that realize the importance of pleasing the majority of the guests desires and knowing when a person that is hiring or interviewing you is making a mistake or not concerning the event.
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Not pleasing the person that hired you.....could be hazardous to your online health.

I'm MORE worried about a negative review than losing WOM from the crowd.

My main goal is to please the person who HIRED me (the one who signs the contract, usually).

In the Internet age, everything else is secondary!
 
Reunions are for catching up....but I do believe that if your the dj you say you are...you are meeting with the committee and can make recommendations that might make it a night to remember...if nothing more than a trip down memory lane...example.

I have always done this one...and yes with approval first. Lets say they graduated in the 80's..Ill take a song from each year in the 80's....give them the artist...song title ...then play all ten songs...usually during dinner....letting them know the trivia sheet is on the table...they have to guess the year that the song hit the charts...I have been amazed at the competition that this generates and its all in fun....

I also put together a fact sheet from the year they graduated...cost of things...top songs...movies...its a nice nostalgic trip for them....

Usually no games just the things above and lots of great music
 
Don and that type of entertainment at a reunion is great.

I call that passive entertainment the guests can participate if they want or go back to catching up with their friends instead of a DJ stopping after each song and interrupting all the conversations to see if anyone has the answer.
 
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