How to Apply to Play at Music in the Park:

Due to the overwhelming numbers of bands that now wish to perform at Music in the Park each summer, we wanted to formalize the application process. We welcome submissions of promo materials from all interested groups. However, here’s what you need to keep in mind before you send your pack:

1. Think Big – MIP audiences have grown dramatically in the past few years – from several hundred to several thousand each week (and often much more). Therefore, we look for bands whose sound can reach to everyone in our venue…which unfortunately means that acoustic material generally isn’t appropriate, nor is the type of music that would normally be found in an intimate club setting. We provide professional audio support, and will happily meet your requirements for amplification.

2. Gotta Dance – Los Gatans love to get up and boogie. We welcome (and heartily encourage) just about any sort of danceable music, be it rock, salsa, disco (within limits!), swing, or other genre. Bands that can get our audience up on its feet will have a definite edge in the selection process.

3. Got You Covered – Yes, we know you do the best-possible cover of “Proud Mary” and “Sweet Home Alabama”…and that’s wonderful; cover bands keep classic rock alive. However, we receive at least 40-50 CDs and DVDs from cover bands each year, and in most cases they are virtually identical. The MIP committee is eager to showcase bands that have a distinctive sound, and present a different, exciting take on performing, even if the music is somewhat familiar…so please keep that in mind.

4. Nothing’s Permanent – If you’ve played at Music in the Park in the past, we hope that you’ve enjoyed the experience (and all of our performers tell us this is the case!). The sad news is that we cannot guarantee that any band will play two years in a row, or even two years after they’ve performed in Los Gatos. With the sheer numbers of groups that are now applying for a space on the schedule, it’s unfair to invite the same performers back year after year…so everyone needs to go through the same application and selection process.

5. Dollars & Sense – Music in the Park is funded exclusively by sponsorships from local businesses and individuals. The series receives no financial support from the town, or any other entity. Thus, each year we must raise all of the funds necessary to cover the expense of producing the 10-week concert series. For this reason, we operate on the proverbial shoestring – so please be aware that your paycheck in Los Gatos is not going to send your kids to Harvard. However, we treat our performers extremely well, and they are rewarded with a very large, appreciative audience. We have yet to have a band not ask us when they can play for us again!

6. See You in September – Given the need to fundraise, which takes several months, we begin looking at/listening to demo materials as soon as the concert schedule is finished each summer, and typically have our lineup for the following year in place by the end of October. Our sponsors like to know which bands will be performing before they choose a concert to underwrite, meaning we must have firm commitments from our performers by the time we begin asking for financial support.

7. Make It Note-Worthy – Whether or not your band will be selected will depend entirely on the quality of the materials you submit. Please do not request that our committee visit your website to watch/listen to your concert footage. We will gladly review any digital materials you send, but we know of many great bands that have been sabotaged by bad video/sound quality on their websites. Keep in mind that you’ll be competing against 50, 60, 70 or more groups each year, so show us your best stuff. And honestly, it’s not necessary to include reams of press clippings or letters of reference or testimonials from other concert producers. If we like your sound on your CD or DVD, we’ll get in touch. Thank you for saving a few trees.

8. Ready to Play? – Great! Then by all means, we’re eager to hear from you. Please complete this application, and send with your promo-pack to: Teri Hope, 101 West Main St, Los Gatos, CA 95030. We will let all applicants know whether they were selected by the end of the year at the latest.