Violinist for an awards dinner or ceremony
An awards night has a program to protect. Live violin fills the time around it, so the room has energy when your first award is announced.
Extreme Strings plays around the awards program: guest arrival, the cocktail hour and dinner, then music again after the last award if you want it. Jared doesn't MC, but he can provide a microphone during his contracted hours. Past events include an architecture awards gala at Mile High Station.
Planning the music around your program
- Doors open. Jared starts as guests arrive, with songs people recognize in the first few notes. It tells the room the night has started.
- Cocktails. Full songs, about 20 an hour, while guests find colleagues and their tables.
- Dinner. A softer set, so conversation is easy.
- The program. The violin goes quiet for your host and presenters. If your AV team is running the stage, Jared can plug into their system; if not, his own system and microphone are already in place.
- After the last award. If you book through the end of the night, he picks the music back up to send people off.
Send your run of show when you have it, and Jared will plan his sets around it.
Awards nights Extreme Strings has played
- An architecture design and honor awards gala at Mile High Station in Denver
- An awards cocktail hour in Denver
- An industry gala at Little America Hotel & Resort in Cheyenne, Wyoming
- A citizen of the year gala at the Pueblo Convention Center
- A hospitality industry gala at MSU Denver
Hosting at a hotel? See what Jared needs from a hotel or convention center.
What event hosts say
★★★★★“Extreme Strings, led by the talented Jared Judge, delivered an unforgettable performance that elevated our event to new heights!”
★★★★★“He was prompt, ahead of schedule, partnered well, offered suggestions, and knocked it out of the park.”
★★★★★“Jared closed out the evening to the most applause, cheers and a standing ovation.”
Why a violinist works for an awards crowd
Awards audiences are mixed: honorees, their families, executives and peers. That's why the set leans on songs people recognize across generations, from Journey and Queen to Coldplay and Bruno Mars, with jazz standards for dinner. Electric violin over a full-band backing track bridges that. It looks polished, it sounds current, and there are no vocals to compete with conversation. Jared usually performs solo, so the setup is compact and stays out of the way of your stage, screens and tables.
If your awards night is at a hotel, Jared can send the certificate of insurance and W-9 the venue asks for, and sign the hotel's waiver. You sign and pay online in BookLive, or by check if that's how your organization pays vendors.
Questions planners ask
Do you need a green room?
No. Jared just needs a closet or corner to store his instrument cases.
Will you announce the awards?
No. Jared doesn't MC. He can provide a microphone during his contracted hours for your host.
Can you work with our AV company?
Yes. Jared can plug into your audio engineer's system or bring his own. The price is the same either way.
How long do awards dinners usually book?
Most events book two to three hours of music, and Jared can go up to four with one short break.