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“The Progressive Wedding Reception”

The very latest trend in creative, cost-effective wedding reception planning is “Progressive Entertainment,” – that is—reception music/entertainment that progressively adapts to the changing sequence of events and moods over the course of your special event.

From ceremonial music- down the aisle and at the altar- to the welcoming background ambiance of a soloist during the champagne pre-reception, to the soft, unobtrusive background of a piano trio during dinner, to an elegant first dance, to the gradual transformation into a peppy dance-floor filling Swing, Soul, Oldies and Classic Rock dance band….Soul University provides custom Progressive Music Reception Packages for one inclusive price, saving clients the confusion and expense of contracting separate vendors to perform the many and varied musical tasks at today’s modern reception.

Here’s How It Works

Suppose the pianist, who you personally consulted with about the ceremony music and who played the processional and recessional, took his piano and quickly set it up in the foyer, along with a guitarist to provide music for gathering guests during the champagne reception.

Suppose the guitarist who sang during the ceremony was a jazz drummer and the very same person who joined the pianist and bassist to provide soft bossa-novas and ballads during dinner as part of an elegant jazz trio.

What if this trio discreetly became a quartet or quintet after dinner (saxophonist and guitarist added or perhaps a female vocalist) and, following memorable first dance, began playing swinging Big Band Classics, Sinatra smashes and swing dance jitterbug numbers then moved into solid Motown and Soul and R&B dance tunes, ending the affair with a hip-shaking disco Love Train. It could happen—and it does!

Hiring the very versatile talents of several key players and having them perform double and triple duty at different phases of the celebration saves wedding planners, brides and grooms (and their families) money, time, stress and worry. Tasks that two or three separate vendors usually do, now are accomplished by one, saving the expense of separate travel, labor and contracting or commission costs. More bang for your buck continues by dealing directly with the members of the band, piling on the savings by eliminating costly agency commissions and referral fees.

Richie Begin, the leader, arranger, lead-singer, drummer, and bandleader for Soul University works with wedding planners and families one-on-one to customize their special event--sculpting the number and variety of musicians and their tasks to fit the changing moods of the day.

Imaginative, client-friendly, cost-effective and versatile—Soul University is more than just a hot band for your wedding day—it’s the multi-faceted answer to the entire reception’s music requirements in one place for one low price. And you deal direct.

In business in Northern California since 1979, there is really only one school offering a degree in seamless special event music planning—SOUL UNIVERSITY!

Testimonials "You guys really made our wedding special! Your versatility and ability to set a perfect mood was amazing." -Dewey and Diana Birnbaum "Soul University is so spectacular...we have them back each year for our NEW YEAR'S EVE GALA! Great Dance band!" -Liz Dondero - S.F. Symphony "Thank you Soul University for making my wedding so extra-special. From first consultation to last dance, it was super!" -Adrienne Manwaring "Soul University did it all. From Sinatra to Steely Dan, they had everyone dancing. They even let me sing with the band! We're so glad we came across this group." -John Goss and Michelle Andrighetto "You guys covered all the bases at my wedding. Great dinner music, fabulous dancing, and you were so easy to work with! I rave about you guys every single woman I know!" -Shelley Cartier shelley@cartierproperties.com "It wouldn't be New Years Eve at the San Francisco Symphony without the best party band in the city, Soul University! Thank you Richie and the band for making each year's gala better than the last!" - Liz Dondero, Events Chair sfsymphony.com "We enjoyed you and the band SO MUCH at our wedding in June 2005. You had everyone dancing the from first note to last!" - Rebecca Maker beckanners@hotmail.com "Having you sing & play, Richie, at my wife's recent birthday party was so very special. She was overjoyed and so were all the guests. You killed everybody with your soulful rendition of our our favorite song "Oh Girl" by the Chi-Lites and she almost cried! We should do this every year!" -Frank DeSimone frank@dandrinsurance.com