What's in a Name?

Hello again! I have been calling multiple people in the veterans programs to find answers and am still searching. While I wait to hear more I wanted to discuss what I believe to be an important topic that musicians face whether in the charitable realms or in paid gigs: marketability. Let's face it.. In today's society when anyone thinks of musical entertainment a brass quintet would be one of the last things they think of. D.J.'s, karaoke, rock band, etc.... But not brass quintet. So, what's a good way to begin? Your group needs to have a good name. Choose a catchy name, one that not only sounds neat to say but also is aesthetically appealing. This will help with advertising down the road. Keep in mind, the name you choose needs to be fitting of the type of group you are in, in this case a brass quintet. "Crazy Train" or "Skyrockets in Flight" might be catchy names but they have absolutely nothing in them to indicate they are the name for a brass quintet. Also, when choosing a name think ahead to the main type of audience you are trying to attract. The area you live in and the social atmosphere of that area actively play into the main type of audience you bring in. For example, if you want to primarily play for children's programs and you live in a retirement area, it probably is not going to work very well. Get to know your community and your group members and ultimately choose the name that best suits the entire picture. Your community and surroundings are very important. Does your community have a strong religious affiliation? Did anything happen of significance historically in the community? Are there specific cultural ties to a particular nationality? These are just some of many questions to ask yourself. What's in a name? The name you choose represents your identity. It is the first and last thing about you that the public sees and often remembers. It has the ability to subconsciously and even consciously shape your musical program, your attire, even venues where you choose to perform. For example. Say you live in an area where there is a string Irish heritage. Picking a Celtic name such as Sláinte Brass (Irish Gaelic for cheers) would be naturally appealing to the community. You could play in local pubs, parks, concert halls, etc. A brass quintet with a more conservative name probably would not be as easy to get into local pubs. This name is appropriate for all ages and all types of crowds. A name like this opens doors to come up with a fun look. Being creative and appealing with your attire makes you more personable and eye catching. This might seem like a small thing. After all, your music should sell itself. But having an appealing name is a great way to catch your initial audience and leave a lasting impression.