How to Organize a Music Festival
You love music and you always have. You want to carry out a music festival designed to attract music fans of all ages. Follow the steps and you'll organize a successful one.
▲ Start by making a list of the local bands and artists that you like. You've taken this job because you love music, so put your taste to work for you. If you like these musicians, many of the local residents will also like them. You need to have many kinds of music for all age groups.
▲ Find a great location that has much open space for outdoor festivals. You need to build a stage so the musicians can be seen from distances. Not all towns need such a license but it is a good idea to check before you start building. For an indoor location, you need to find a theater that is willing to give you enough space. ③
▲ Hire sound and engineering people to give the musicians all the help they need. You can't expect the musicians to handle these problems because they are playing. Your sound and engineering experts will allow your stars to keep the music playing.
▲ If you are planning your festival for families, the last thing you want is a beer-swilling crowd starting a huge brawl (斗殴). Security people need to be present to make sure that nobody gets the idea that they want to start any kind of ruckus (骚乱).
A. You need to find security people.
B. Bigger sports stadiums will be perfect as well.
C. We can find enough songs to get a lot of money.
D. People should have practiced many different songs.
E. But remember, you are trying to attract fans of all ages.
F. The last thing you want is that a group is on stage but the speakers don't work.
G. You can find a location by going to the local government and asking for permission.
The Scottish composer Evelyn Glennie lost nearly all her hearing as a young girl, yet went on to a very successful career in music including winning Grammy awards. When somebody asks her, "How do you hear"? She responds, "How do you hear? Is it only with your ears?" For Glennie, and for us too, listening is not only hearing, but is understanding. We need to listen to what is said and unsaid, and also how it is said.
It's important to hear what people say accurately. As Mark Twain said, "The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug(萤火虫)." If you miss something or you're not sure whether you've heard accurately, ask the speakers. At this point you're not evaluating what they say, but just looking for accuracy and understanding. Here are some ways to get clear about what they say and don't say. Why are they saying this now, instead of sooner or later? Why are they emphasising these points, instead of something else?
Listen to how it is said. People send signals about what they mean with their voices and body language that sometimes differ from the words they say. While going through the next points, think about someone whose real meaning you might sometimes miss, and see if any of these signals might come up. First, voices. When others speak, notice changes in their volume, pace, and tone. Second, body language. Notice gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions. Do these sync what they are saying, or do they tell a different story? Third, emotions. What is the person apparently feeling? Now you might not know for sure, but be considerate, open to understanding, and ask thoughtful questions.
