Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ)

Why choose UpBeat?
What makes the UpBeat Orchestra exceptional in Chicago land?
Can I meet with you to discuss my event?
Can you help me choose and plan the best entertainment options for my event?
How can I hear the Michael Cascio Orchestra?
Can you provide dinner reception music?
Can you help me with the planning stages of my wedding?
Do you perform for wedding ceremonies?
Can you help me plan the ceremony music?
Can you make special announcements, such as my bridal party's entrance?
What is the instrumentation for different sizes: UPBEAT BAND, The UpBeat Orchestra and The Michael Cascio Orchestra?
Will the group perform a special musical request?
How does your group manage volume levels?
Are the ensemble members always the same?
How many breaks do you take, and do you provide continuos music?
How do I book the group?

Why choose UpBeat?

The Presentation
One of Chicago's most exciting and creative party bands, we offer a high energy live performance with variety to ensure that once the party begins, it never stops. Our front vocalists project a warm, distinctive, and fun presentation, making the dance floor inviting, and when appropriate, will tastefully interact with the audience. We know how important your event is - creating an unforgettable party celebration is what we do!

Planning the perfect fit for your event
With our commitment to customized event planning, we put great care in organizing tasteful music selections, specialized arrangements, and dance party concepts that bring your event to life. From Sinatra to Santana, we offer balanced mix of todays latest, and classics spanning the last five decades, including swing/jazz, R&B, Motown, Rock, Funk, Disco, Salsa, ballads, contemporary pop. With our insight, experience, and preparation, we go the extra mile to make sure all the important music and hosting details you choose are executed perfectly.

Dance party by design
Our group prepares well balanced song medleys that seamlessly segue from one song to another, and are designed to pack your dance floor with dramatic momentum - the best DJ's do this - we do it live. Our song medleys are balanced in terms of style and pacing – covering the classics, motown, R&B, and contemporary. Also, we like to plan music and dance party concepts that makes the event special and distinctive.

Quality Musicianship
Our group is a real family of exceptional and versatile talent – and having played together extensively, you won’t see our musicians “buried in the sheet music,” and our dynamic performance style is a testament to this. Our musicians are career pros, with music degrees, and our front vocal line has national performance credits ranging from The Temptations to R Kelly.

A great value with proven reliability
Are you looking for top quality at a reasonable budget? When we say we are ‘Chicago’s entertainment source,’ what we mean is that you are not paying a group of salespeople, a middleman, or exorbitant  premiums to get a world class group, including all administration, sound and lights, at the best value in Chicago. You can view our extensive client list and sourced references on our site. Complete planning, necessary hosting, pro tech support – such as use of cordless mics for announcements is always included.

What makes the UpBeat Orchestra exceptional in Chicago land?

We are known for planning customized music and dance party concepts that make the event special, distinctive and unforgettable – for example, at a recent dance party, we had the bride and her maid of honor join the band on stage and sing the chorus of the classic "I Will Survive" – this was a huge hit with the family. Also, our group is a real family of exceptional talent, and having played together extensively, you won't see our musicians "buried in the sheet music."

Our vocalists have national performance credits, and create a warm, distinctive, and fun presentation – making the dance floor inviting, and when appropriate, will tastefully interact with the audience. We have a polished show including song medleys that seamlessly segue from one song to another, and create "dance party" momentum by design.

We have a reputation for reliability, and going the extra mile – complete planning, necessary hosting, necessary tech support–such as use of cordless mics, is always included when booking any of our group sizes. With our insight, experience, and preparation, we make sure all the important details you choose are executed perfectly.

Can I meet with you to discuss my event?

Sure! We take pride in the level of attention we give our clients. We will be happy to meet with you in a comfortable, no-obligation consultation where all your questions are answered. You can come to our office or we can meet at a convenient place. Call us at (773)296-9296 or click here to contact Michael Cascio and UpBeat via the website.

Can you help me choose and plan the best entertainment options for my event?

Diligent planning is essential to any successful event, and we can make the administration easy. We start with an in depth assessment of your specific entertainment needs, including all production elements, your guests – attendance, their specific tastes, and nature of the event – all venue considerations, sound reinforcement, lighting, budget and more. Next, we can recommend specific entertainment options that best fit your event, your budget, and the experience that you envision. With our insight, experience, and preparation, we go the extra mile to make sure all the important details you choose are executed perfectly. This includes all administration, necessary rehearsal, specialty songs, custom arrangements, and sound and lighting management. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.

How can I hear the UpBeat Orchestra?

All prospective clients are sent a comprehensive promotional package that includes live DVD video footage of the group, a CD and a sample song list. Also, we would be happy to meet with you and show you our current audio video promo package. Please click here to be linked to song samples of the UpBeat Orchestra.

Can you provide dinner reception music?

Absolutely! We offer many different combinations, such as a solo pianist, duets–such as piano and violin, a jazz trio or quartet, strolling violins, or perhaps the full orchestra playing elegant standards, love songs, show tunes, classical music. Additionally, you might want dancing between courses.

Can you help me with the planning stages of my wedding?

Planning Music and Hosting For Your Wedding Reception Party:

Music is a major part of your reception, and plays a key role in creating the atmosphere of your wedding.

Your wedding should be a joyous occasion–and planning your wedding should not be stressful. We help organize the process and make it easy. An accurate and organized time line is important. We provide a detailed check list for our clients, where every possible traditional/contemporary option for music and hosting choices is covered, including: wedding party introductions–music and hosting production, first dances, traditions (we have tasteful, fun music for these), toasts, specialty dances, when to cut the cake, an explanation of hosting style and choice of wording for bridal introduction, and much more. The music program and hosting must correlate perfectly with all relevant vendors working for you at the event–for example, as master of ceremonies, if we are to call someone to the foreground for a toast, we have to be exactly on the same page as the catering service, and champaign glasses should be in place at that exact time. We are team players who have worked with many of Chicago's top caterers, banquet captains/managers, and special event planners–we 'get out the microscope' in the planning stage, and make sure all the important details regarding hosting and music are covered.

Cocktail Hour

The cocktail hour may or may not be an extension of your ceremony postlude, depending on how and where you have your reception set up in relation to your ceremony.  If you have hired a harpist or string quartet for your ceremony, consider having them perform throughout the cocktail hour as well–here the string quartet could play a balanced mix of classical, broadway show tunes, and contemporary arrangements, such as Sting or the Beatles.  If your guests have had to travel to a new location, you may want to change the style and genre of your music to reflect a more party-like atmosphere, such as an elegant jazz trio. Our musicians are very aware of style, taste, and volume as they are often performing music as your guests mingle around the bar and cocktail area. 

Newlyweds' Entrance

The entrance of the bride and groom to the reception is really the first time that you will be introduced to your family and friends as husband and wife, and you want to choose music that is appropriate for this moment. With our hosting and music performance, we generally like to make this a grand entrance, with a drum roll and all the bells and whistles. There are numerous choices for classical music that will create a feeling of grandeur. Remember, this is your special day, and you and your fiancé you may want to choose popular rock or R&B songs such as "Simply the Best" from Tina Turner, or a contemporary song that is special to the both of you. One great combination that our orchestra performs is the Sinatra classic "Fly Me to The Moon" which we preceded by "The Best Is Yet To Come" for everyone in the wedding party before the bride and groom. Because the song will most likely not be playing long, you have the freedom to choose a song that has a great chorus, even if you do not want the rest of the song played.

Dinner

During the dinner reception hour, we can provide you with solo piano, jazz trio, optional strolling violin, harp, and string quartet, playing your favorite music selections, ranging from classical to Broadway show tunes, as well as elegant jazz and tasteful contemporary arrangements. Our sound tech knows that at this time music must be at an appropriate volume–never obtrusive to your guests socializing.

Dance Party

In terms of specific song selections for the orchestra in the dance sets, we start with our comprehensive song list, which includes popular wedding specialty songs, and also categorically lists a variety of dance party style classics from the last six decades. Our group has balanced, rehearsed song medleys that create momentum on the dance floor–we think it is very important to have dance sets with a polished flow– no large gaps of silence like some other bands do. Next, we will ask you to let us know which songs on our list you particularly like, and other special requests. We also provide sample playlists that we typically perform.

With our insight, experience and preparation, we go the extra mile to make sure all the details you choose are perfect. With our large and versatile repertoire, we put great care in organizing music and dance part concepts that are special for your event. All administration in the planning stage is included, and there is no extra charge for this–after contracting the orchestra for your wedding, typically we finalize important details with comfortable periodic office appointments.

Do you perform for wedding ceremonies?

We certainly do! We have many options for ceremonies, including strings, classical trumpets, harp, flute, piano, etc. You can see and hear the most popular examples on our Strings • Piano • Brass page.

Can you help me plan the ceremony music?

Planning Your Ceremony Music

The traditional flow for a ceremony can be organized in several categories: prelude, processional I, processional II, ceremony, recessional, and postlude. Prelude music is typically played 10 to 15 minutes before the ceremony begins and while guests are being seated. Processional I music is played as the wedding party enters the ceremony site. Processional II music is played as the Bride and Groom walk down the aisle. Optional ceremony music is played during the ceremony. Recessional music is played as the wedding party leaves the ceremony site. Postlude music is played while guests leave the ceremony site. Instrumental Options: The traditional musical instrument for wedding ceremonies is the organ, but piano, string ensemble, harps, trumpet, guitar and violin are also quite popular today. Our string quartet: The Bravi Quartet, led by Regina Leslie is our most popular ceremony option, and with any instrumental option, we can help you choose the music–If you’re not hooked on classics, consider requesting some contemporary music on those historic instruments. Perhaps a Sting or Beatles song with strings?

Popular traditional selections for a Christian wedding:

"Trumpet Voluntary" by Purcell, "Canon in D Major" by Pachelbel, "Adagio in A Minor" by Bach, "The Bridal Chorus" by Wagner, "Wedding March" by Mendelssohn, "Arioso" – J. S. Bach, "Air" from the "Water Music Suite" Handel

Popular selections for a Jewish wedding:

"Erev Shel Shoshanim," "Erev Ba Hana' Ava Babanot"

Additional Classical Selections:

"Winter," Largo or "Spring" Allegro from The Four Seasons, Antonio Vivaldi, "Sinfonia" from Cantata No. 156, Johann Sebastian Bach "Cantata No.29" Johann Sebastian Bach, "Prelude and Fugue in C" "Brandenburg Concerto" Johann Sebastian Bach, "Toccata" from L'Orfeo, Claudio Monteverdi, "Romance from String Quartet" Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart "Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major" "Elvira Madigan" Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart "Trumpet Tune in A-Major" David N. Johnson, "A Midsummer Night's Dream, incidental music, Op. 61 Wedding March" Felix Mendelssohn "Coronation March for Czar Alexander III" Peter I. Tchaikovsky "Overture" from Royal Fireworks Music, George Frederic Handel "Promenade" from Pictures at an Exhibition, Modest Mussorgsky

Popular Contemporary Selections:

"At Last" Etta James, "Come Away With Me" Norah Jones, "Dawn" from the movie Pride and Prejudice, composer Dario Marianelli, "Only Time" Enya, "Appalachia Waltz" Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer & Mark O'Connor, "Unforgettable"Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole, "It's Only Time" Magnetic Fields, "The Look of Love" Diana Krall, "And I Love Her" by The Beatles, "The Vow" Jeremy Lubbock, "Come What May" Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, "Storybook Love" from the movie "The Princess Bride" by Willy DeVille, Wedding Processional, from The Sound of Music, Rodgers & Hammerstein, "Can't help falling in love" Elvis Presley, "What A Wonderful World" Louis Armstrong, "When I'm Sixty-Four" The Beatles

You can hear demonstration recordings on our Strings • Piano • Brass page. Additionally, we recommend that couples go to amazon.com (or similar music site) and do a quick search for any of these titles–amazon has excerpts for most songs, allowing you to get a sense of the music before you purchase it.

Ceremony venue considerations: Music may or may not be included as part of the ceremony site fee–be sure to check with your ceremony site manager about restrictions regarding the music–most will allow you to bring your own musicians, some will not. It is always a good idea to discuss the selection of ceremony music with both your officiant and musicians.

In the selection process for ceremony music, keep in mind the formality of your wedding, your religious affiliation, and the length of the ceremony. Also consider the location and time of day. If the ceremony is outside where there may be other noises such as traffic, wind, or people's voices, or if a large number of guests will be attending your ceremony, consider having the music, your officiant, and your vows amplified.

Can you make special announcements, such as my bridal party's entrance?

Definitely. The Michael Cascio Orchestra offers a full Master of Ceremonies service and Mr. Cascio is very experienced serving as a tasteful and unobtrusive MC. We offer complete emcee services at no extra charge, including wireless mics that can be used by you and your guests to make announcements from any location in the room. We discuss your needs in advance to ensure that we understand your requirements.

What is the instrumentation for different sizes: UPBEAT BAND, The UpBeat Orchestra and The Michael Cascio Orchestra?

Our UpBeat group comes in several sizes to fit your event...

Our five piece dance group The UPBEAT BAND is comprised of:

Two Front Vocalists
Piano/Keyboard/Vocalist
Guitarist/Vocalist
Drums/Vocal
Booking Includes sound tech, complete sound and lights system, comprehensive administration

Our 10 piece UpBeat Orchestra is comprised of:

Three front lead vocalists
Three piece horn section: trumpet, tenor saxophone, trombone
Four piece rhythm section: guitar, bass, drums, piano/keyboards
Booking Includes sound tech and crew, complete sound and lights system, comprehensive administration

Our 14 piece Michael Cascio Orchestra is comprised of:

Four front lead vocalists
Three piece string section
Three piece horn section: trumpet, tenor saxophone, trombone
Four piece rhythm section: guitar, bass, drums, piano/keyboards
Booking Includes sound tech and road crew, complete sound and lights system, comprehensive administration

All of our entertainment formats are comprehensive, including all administration from Michael Cascio, band leader/music director of UpBeat Music Productions – the best bands make it look easy, but there is a great deal of preparation for not only the band leader, but for the entire group- rehearsing/reviewing/refining songs/set blocks for your event. Also included are musicians in formal dress, downtown parking, sound system load-in at least 4 hours prior to performance time, sound system and stage equipment in place one hour prior to performance, and, pricing actually includes another member – the sound tech. The package includes our pro JBL sound system customized to fit the venue and attendance of your planned event - mains and monitors, including cordless mic for any client announcements/speeches, CD's or iPod to be played (if necessary) when the band is on break, and qty 6 par 64 pro lights for the band; the package not only sounds good – it looks good too. All union fees. Use of copyrighted materials fees.

Will the group perform a special musical request?

Sure! If there is a specific song that is not listed in our extensive repertoire, we will accommodate any musical request. Discussing specialty songs is one of our important planning stages.

How does your group manage volume levels?

The Michael Cascio Orchestra employs professional full time sound engineers who diligently monitor the volume of every performance–our engineers know that appropriate volume is a top priority, and are happy to make any adjustments and receive requests from you or your guests. Controlling volume levels at any event is critical, and with our state-of-the-art sound system, we keep volume at an appropriate level, emphasizing quality and clarity. We don't want our volume to be obtrusive to your guests conversation, especially during dinner.

Are the ensemble members always the same?

The orchestra maintains the same core of instrumentalists and vocalists, and are augmented as needed by additional musicians. The core members of UpBeat and the full orchestra have been playing together for nearly a decade. Our entertainment always includes the best, experienced, career pro musicians who you can rely on and trust for the event, and we have a extensive list of references to prove it!

How many breaks do you take, and do you provide continuos music?

In a standard three-hour performance (non-continuous), the Michael Cascio Orchestra takes one twenty-minute break, where tasteful and appropriate background CD music is played. For clients who request continuous music for their event, the Michael Cascio Orchestra offers this service for an additional fee.

How do I book the group?

Just call us at (773) 296-9296, email us at , or click here to contact the UpBeat Orchestra via the website and request additional information. A signed contract and deposit will secure the group for your event.