Hosting basics: What every host needs to know

Before you become a host, make sure you're familiar with these basics!

The Space

Anyone can host in their home, no matter the space. Set your own capacity, even if it’s just 10 people sitting on your bed.
Groupmuses can happen anywhere! You can host in your living room, backyard, rooftop, porch, or even in a nearby public park or beach (just make sure it's legal to do so without a permit in your municipality). We even have café and gallery owners organizing groupmuses, though these can be a little more tricky, so if that applies to you, be sure to book a call with a groupmuse team member first.
We encourage 3-tiered seating including a mix of floor seating, chairs and standing room. It’s cozier and fits more people (so rugs/floor pillows are great), but a couch or chairs are good to have for those who need them.

The Cost

Pay What You Can Groupmuses (our standard event model) work like this:
- Audience members pay $5 to reserve their spot to your groupmuse. This money goes towards administration fees and music license fees, so our musicians can perform the works of living composers!
- At the groupmuse, every attendee should pay the musicians (but we never turn anyone away for lack of funds).
  - We leave it up to hosts to decide what the suggested minimum contribution should be for their event, because they know best what their friends and family can comfortably afford.
  - Hosts collect cash payments for the musicians by passing around a bowl twice during the concert, usually during intermission and after the second half. Additionally, hosts are sent a payment QR code a few days ahead of time that they can print out and display next to the collection bowl, to make it super easy for their guests to pay online. Audience members can also pay online at https://www.groupmuse.com/pay.
  - For some attendees, $20 is what they can afford for an evening's entertainment. For others, an up-close concert with professional musicians is worth $100. We want everyone to be able to attend groupmuses, so we don't set high ticket prices. We expect everyone to pay what they can afford, and what they think the musicians deserve. Please be generous to the musicians, and encourage others to do the same! Of course, please don't turn anyone away for lack of funds. We want to keep Groupmuse accessible to all!
  - We love the PWYC model because it means that anyone can attend, regardless of their financial situation. We also find that people give more generously than the suggested minimum contribution, once they've had a chance to connect to the performers.
Ticketed Events (new!):
- Hosts can now create ticketed events, which means that all administrative fees are included in the ticket price, which is paid ahead of time when guests RSVP.
- Some hosts like this model because it means they do not have to worry about collecting payment at the time of the groupmuse, and it ensures the musician knows exactly what $$ they'll be earning at their event ahead of time.
- This model is good for hosts that think they can fill their groupmuse to capacity with friends and family connections that can easily afford the ticket price with no financial strain.
It is FREE to host a public groupmuse! Guests bring their own drinks, so no need to provide refreshments, unless you want to!

The Rules

Groupmuse performances are not background music. As the host, you'll help set a tone of respect for the music. This is music to disappear into, not music to talk over.
Unless it's a private groupmuse, the crowd will be a mix of your friends and local groupmusers. Hosting strangers might be intimidating, but meeting new people is an important and wonderful part of Groupmuse!
Fill up your capacity to 75%+ filled or consider postponing. This helps ensure that musicians are paid a fair wage for their time spent practicing and performing at your groupmuse. Playing to an empty room not only falls flat, but also means less money in musicians pockets.

The Music

We only feature traditional historical music and do not take requests. We feature traditional historical music performed by professionals who choose their own programs.
Programs are usually around 45-60 minutes long. Plan for an intermission in the middle to mingle and refill drinks.
Ask us to find musicians for you, or browse our catalog of nearby musicians.

Host Expectations

Hosts emcee their own groupmuses. It’s really easy! You just need to gather everyone for the music, explain how Groupmuse works, and if it's a pay-what-you-can event, help collect the cash on behalf of the musician.
Help set the tone. Hosts help create a culture of safety, respect, inclusivity, and accessibility at their groupmuses.

Next, check out our guide on Groupmuse's culture. As a host, you'll be on the front lines creating a healthy and warm atmosphere at your events.