FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions section of our web site.  Below we will answer many questions that have been posed to us over the period of time that the orchestra has been in existence.  If your question is not listed below or you would like more information, please feel free to e-mail us at the address found near the bottom of this page or give us a phone call.  We'd be happy to assist you in any way that we can.  If you are a bride or groom and would like to learn how we can make your wedding reception one of the most memorable events of your lifetime, please click here.

Q: Who are Joe Enroughty And His Royal Virginians?
A: This question is rarely asked because most clients already know who we are and what we do. However, for those of you that have just discovered us via our website, we offer this explanation:

The Big Band sound is no longer dominated by big names with national prestige. Instead, many local bands carry on this tradition with unique personalities, regional prestige, and the desire to entertain the public.

The orchestra is based out of Richmond, Virginia. The Royal Virginians are one of the last traveling Big Bands under the direction of a young, personable, and entertaining leader.

While we do perform music from a wide variety of eras and styles (such as Rock, Country, Pop, Easy Listening, & Classical), all of our music is performed in a unique and danceable "Big Band" style.

Q: Who Is The Orchestra For?
A: The orchestra is for people who want something other than the standard DJ or "Top 40" band. It's also for people who know the difference between quality live music and recorded music. Every band has a specialty and we hope ours is a perfect fit for your event.

Q: Will Everyone Like This Music?
A: Well, there is no one universal taste in music (or anything else). However, having done many events, we find we are extremely well received and recommended by the vast majority of our clients and their guests. We hear some interesting comments over and over such as: "Big Band music is not our favorite, but we had a good time dancing and stayed through to the last song" or "It was so refreshing to have a band that was not so loud. We could actually carry on a conversation in the same room; how refreshing and different from the typical big band". We feel our entertainment factor, sincerity, and respect for your guests transcends musical taste.

We are the first choice for several "Dinner Dance Clubs" year after year after year.

Q: Will The Younger People Dance To This Music?
A: Absolutely. Of course, anyone can dance a "slow dance" to our ballads and while many people refer to our up-tempo tunes as "swing" most people we observe dancing are not "swing dancers" but they sure are dancing and having fun. Many times, we hear from young brides who are attempting to persuade their parents to hire us for their wedding (rather than vice versa). 

A very prestigious fund raiser in Richmond has rehired us for several years now and have even eliminated the disc jockey that used to follow our act. We were informed it was specifically the younger people who did not want the disc jockey, and requested hiring only our orchestra for the entire evening. 

For a nominal fee, a professional dance instructor can be provided prior to our performance or during our breaks to add even more excitement.

Q: Do You Play For Wedding Receptions?
A: Yes we do. Our book of arrangements allows us to play songs from all eras of popular music. From the 1920's and "Babyface" to the 1990's and "My Heart Will Go On". This allows us to please a variety of age groups.  Please feel free to have a look at the many selections we can perform during an evening of dancing by clicking here.

Q: Do You Perform Concerts?
A: We have an excellent two hour concert. We have performed for various auditoriums, fairs, parks, and recreation facilities all across Virginia and Maryland. Please contact us directly for pricing information.

Q: How Long Does The Orchestra Perform?
A: We have learned that three hours of live music is perfect for a dance. That is just enough time for everyone to be sufficiently entertained and fulfilled. Three hours leaves your guests feeling delighted with the music and wishing for one final goodnight song or a "last dance."

Q: My Uncle Frank Does A Great "Mack The Knife." Can He Sing With The Orchestra At Our Event?
A: If Uncle Frank can come to one of our rehearsals before the event, and if we have an arrangement of the song he'd like to sing, we'd be happy to try and accommodate your request. We usually find that folks with great voices at family functions or office parties are not prepared to sing with a big band. We play the arrangement as written and Uncle Frank has to be able to follow the orchestra and sing the tune in the musical key in which the arrangement was written. We can't play the song lower because Frank can't reach the high notes. Which is the reason for the rehearsal.

Q: My Event Planner Tells Me This Size Orchestra Is "Too Big" For The Room (Or Number Of Guests).
A: This is usually incorrect. Some of the greatest dances we have ever played were in very crowded rooms or for a very small crowd (one party had 15 guests). We are also much lower in volume than a disc jockey although we have more people. We can fit in a space against the wall 12ft. x 30ft. In a word, we find we are never too big. Please talk to us if your event planner, hotel caterer, or anyone else, tries to dissuade you from hiring the music you want.

As far as the number of guests versus the number of musicians is concerned, if we were The Guy Lombardo or Glenn Miller Orchestras, the question of reducing the size of the Orchestra would never be asked.

We are a 14-Piece Big Band Orchestra. Our arrangements are custom made; many transcribed from the original recordings (at considerable time and expense) and were created to fit our size and instrumentation.

Think of your music as an entity. The Beatles, for example are four musicians. They didn't perform with less (can't leave Ringo at home, you know) because the room was small or there were fewer guests. Nor would they have added more musicians to perform in a large concert hall for thousands. There are orchestras who can perform with whatever number of musicians you (or your party planner) may think you need (usually up to whatever your pocketbook will bear). Beware of bands like these. They more than likely use very simple arrangements to be so flexible in size. And in our opinion offer little excitement. All of their arrangements tend to sound the same.

Click here for a diagram of our stage setup.

Q: Can A Smaller Version Of The Orchestra Be Used For Our Particular Event?
A: We cannot break the orchestra down in size.  Our arrangements were custom made to fit our size and instrumentation.  Here is a good concept to go by. A professional football team needs 11 players on the gridiron to run well executed plays. A professional baseball team needs 9 perfectly placed players to properly manage the diamond and outfield. Our Big Band needs a total of  14 musicians consisting of 4 saxophones, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, piano, tuba, drums, and 2 vocalists to make great music.  And last but not least, the leader sets the tempos and guides the orchestra through each selection that they perform.

Q: Does The Orchestra Use A Real Piano Or An Electronic Keyboard?
A: We prefer to use a real piano that has been tuned. If one is not available, we will bring an electronic keyboard at no additional charge to the client.

Q: How Much Does It Cost To Book The Royal Virginians?
A: There are a number of factors that affect booking rates such as event date, location, playing time, and other variables. For this reason, it's best to call or e-mail with specific details in order to receive an accurate price quote. Once you decide that The Royal Virginians are the perfect orchestra for your event, it only takes a 50% deposit to make it official!

Q: I Do Not Know If Our Entertainment Budget Can Allow Us To Spend This Much.
A: Experts usually state: "the band makes the party" or "give your guests good food, drinks, a very good band, and cut corners elsewhere." Although we have 14 people to pay in our performance, we are the same price as some much-respected 9 or 10 piece bands. Yes, there are cheaper bands (and you'll get what you pay for). Moreover, there are more expensive orchestras (sometimes at only a fraction of our size). Our focus is to entertain and make people happy, at a cost to cover our payroll and expenses. We enjoy what we do, and love to see people having fun as a result of our music.  Click here to learn how a "live band" can make your event more memorable and still save you money.

Q: How Far Are The Royal Virginians Willing To Travel?
A: There is virtually no limit to how far The Royal Virginians can travel. Of course, booking rates increase as travel distance increases.

If we travel 3 or more hours from Richmond, Virginia we generally request 8 motel rooms. We are not a pick-up band, so all of our local musicians travel with us whenever possible. We can find our own motel rooms and just add the cost to our fee.

If we travel 3 or more hours or if we are playing a wedding or dinner dance (at any distance), don't forget we need to eat too. We are fine with a separate dining area away from your guests.

Q: Does The Orchestra Play The Music Of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Count Basie, And Others?
A: Yes, we play their hit songs in our own inimitable and danceable style. Everything from "Jumpin' At The Woodside" to "Pennsylvania 6-5000". We can swing with the best of them while maintaining our unique danceable style. There's nothing better than our beautiful sweet saxophones swingin' out to the sound of "Sing, Sing, Sing".

Q: Does The Orchestra Play Any Contemporary Songs?
A: While we are not a "Top 40" band, we can perform some music from the 50's, 60's, 70's, and even a few songs from the 80's and 90's. Please keep in mind however, that we are a big band, and music from the big band era is our specialty.  All of the music we play is performed in a big band style.  If you have a specific song you would like us to perform, it might be possible to have it arranged for your event.  Click here for our arrangement policy and fees.

Q: Will You Play Requests?
A: Yes. At every engagement, we conform to the event by observing the attendees and by catering to the needs of the audience. We always try to accommodate requests in addition to our regular performance material. While we are always willing to work with the client by accepting advance requests, we will occasionally limit requests to the arrangements at hand. That's because we want to make sure you hear the professional orchestra that you hired, as opposed to musicians sight reading material.

99% of all our engagements are booked because people have hired us for who we are and what we do, and not for who they want us to be.

If you have your heart set on a special song that is not in our library, our musical arrangers are always available to create a special arrangement at a nominal fee. Click here to learn about our custom arrangement policy.

Q: How Can I Be Sure The Orchestra Plays Songs That I Want?
A: We offer a list from which you can choose your favorite song titles. If there is a special request, we will do our best to accommodate you. Please keep in mind that we are a Big Band and that Big Band Music is our specialty. I will consult with you prior to the event and make sure we have incorporated all song requests into the set list for your event. At that time, I will discuss which songs you do not wish to hear that evening. Click here for a listing of the many songs we can perform during an evening of dancing.

Q: Where Can I Hear The Orchestra Perform?
A: Many of our performances are private functions. When we have a public performance, you are more than welcome to come hear and see the orchestra. If that is not possible, we ask you to instead consider our music samples on this website and our reputation built on more than 17 years of client satisfaction. Please have a look at our schedule to see if we are performing publicly anytime soon by clicking here.

Q: Your schedule page does not list many public events.
A: Our Public performance schedule is greatly reduced. But that does not mean we have less bookings. Actually, we have less public performances engagements because we are already booked due to an increase in Private Engagements, with many of those being Weddings.

Q: How Long Will You Hold A Date For Me?
A: We will take an "inquiry" on your date and put a hold on it until you call to confirm and arrange for a formal contract. However, if we receive another request for the un-contracted date you have chosen, we will call you immediately. At that point, a decision will be needed along with a deposit and signed contract if you wish us to commit that date to your use.

We hope this helps with your decision making process. If you have any questions or concerns not addressed here, please don't hesitate to call me on (804)-864-1040 or send an e-mail to jenroughty@gmail.com.

Yours In Good Dance Music,

Joe Enroughty