Introductions set the mood for what is coming next.
A well-planned introduction considers what your audience wants to get out of the experience, be it musical, technical or educational.
Which guitarist would you rather listen to at a conference banquet?
A. Abel: “Abel graduated from the Chicago Music Conservatory with a bachelor’s degree in Music Theory and Composition. He won the prestigious Gold Award from the Guitar Institute of America in 1997. He has performed for major corporations and colleges in thirty-two states, and played twice at the White House.”
B. Baker: “Baker always wanted to be a pitcher for the New York Mets. But at age eleven, the same year he caught his Mom kissing Santa Claus, he was cut from his Little League team. He eventually found solace in a six-string Gibson as he discovered a talent for playing the blues. He’s never looked back.”
If I’m at the closing banquet after three days of technical papers and lectures, I’m ready for a good time, and I want to hear Baker.
On the other hand, if my banquet is for a professional music educators’ association, I might favor Abel.
And guess what? Abel and Baker could very well be the same person! He’s going to play whatever music he’s already decided upon, but the words used to introduce him can set the mood and expectation for the performance.
(Just like the choice of smoked salmon canapes or pigs-in-blankets can for the dinner.)
