Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Sarlas.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chris. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My wife Carol & I launched Sarlas Music in 2004, a few months after we got married. We jokingly called it The Big Merger of 2004, but it was a dream come true for both of us, and we’ve never looked back. Prior to that, I had been leading Chicago wedding bands for other music companies for almost 10 years, and the time was right for me to take off on my own.
As a teenager, I embraced every opportunity to lead a band. Of course, nobody wants to hear about my time as drum major, strutting around like a peacock in the 90-degree heat wearing a canary yellow and royal blue wool uniform with a killer white plume on top of my hat. And, despite how proud my grandmother was, we’ll not mention my time as a high school jazz saxophone band geek, sporting a beret and leading my 14 piece big band at a local watering hole every other Friday night. Even at that young age, I was fascinated by the magic of choosing the right songs that would get people up and be dancing. Suffice it to say that music has always been my passion, and band leading has always been my dream!
I graduated from the DePaul school of music. It was there that I really got into writing pop, rock, jazz, country, electronic — pretty much every kind of music. Not only did I discover that I love all styles of music, but this laid the foundation for the arranging that I do now.
One of the reasons we started our own company is because we wanted to work directly with our clients and get to know them so that we can customize the entertainment for their celebration. Everything about a couple’s story goes into the music we create for their wedding day. It’s an incredibly fulfilling job because we get to celebrate with people on the happiest day of their lives, and the more we know about them, the better!
My passion is creating a dance party with music so compelling that guests are drawn to the dance floor, and they stay there until the venue says we have to go home. The most satisfying thing in the world for me is to speak with our couple at the end of their party and to hear them say that the celebration exceeded their expectations in every possible way. When they tell us that we were their easiest vendor to work with and that everyone has been asking them all night long who the band was, I know that my passion is bringing joy to others and there’s no better feeling in the world.
Planning a wedding can be a really stressful experience. Many couples are concerned about trying to please their family, impress their guests, and make those pesky budget numbers work. When choosing services they’ve never chosen before, the options can be overwhelming, and the process can turn into another full-time job! I’m so happy that the customized service we provide gives our brides & grooms the peace of mind to just show up on their wedding day and enjoy the party. When they’re not worried about the entertainment, and they’re not worried if their guests will dance or not, it takes the pressure off. Having that kind of confidence in their music vendor is what we live for.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” — John Lennon
Several years before we founded Sarlas Music, I sustained nerve damage to my right hand. Because of this, I lost the ability to play the saxophone. Life changing? You bet. However, life’s unexpected challenges have a way of creating strength in the places that are compromised. The silver lining I discovered was that I could leave the horn playing to our amazing musicians, and my complete focus is on the event and leading our bands.
My concept of performing went from thinking as a saxophonist who leads a band, to using the entire band as my voice. Because of this, my skills as a bandleader have sharpened exponentially. Clarifying my voice as a bandleader and MC was when my talents and career in Chicago’s special event music industry really took off. Our couples love the fact that I’m 100% focused on their event, watching the dance floor, and choosing the next song that will keep their party dancing.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Sarlas Music – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Sarlas Music provides live music for special events like weddings, corporate events, fundraisers, and galas. Our Chicago wedding bands are the Chris Sarlas Orchestra, Carol Sarlas Orchestra, and Sarlas Five. Artistrings is our string ensemble, specializing in a pop string quartet for wedding ceremonies and cocktail receptions. We customize packages for each client, from wedding ceremony through cocktails, dinner & dancing. Some want a full 11-17 piece orchestra at their wedding, while others prefer a five or six piece group.
We’re known as the company who takes the time to get to know our clients so that we can provide stress-free planning and create the best celebration ever. Our engaged friends want to customize their celebrations as much as possible, and we couldn’t be happier! Musically, we’ve got some really fun things going on.
The Artistrings pop string quartet is in high demand. While many people aren’t comfortable with classical music, they’re very familiar with pop tunes. Couples love the juxtaposition of the elegance of strings with driving pop rhythms and classic rock tunes.
Creative dinner music options are appealing to a lot of people who want something distinctive that will impress their guests and make their wedding day really stand out. We offer a unique configuration of a vocal quartet with Cajon and acoustic guitar. With two acoustic musicians backing our vocalists, four-part harmonies are enjoyed during dinner service. We perform familiar tunes but present them in this unique and unexpected setting, so it creates a really memorable experience for the listener.
Dancing between courses is another great option that’s become more popular than ever. Traditionally known as “East Coast Style,” couples love unveiling the room for dinner to the impact of the full band with horns. Yes, it extends the budget a little more, but many like to invest where they know they’ll get results. First impressions are everything, and it doesn’t get any better than this. When we start the evening dancing, it keeps the energy going throughout the entire reception and keeps guests engaged. It’s our favorite type of wedding to play, and results in the most fun for everyone!
What sets us apart and what I’m most proud of is that all of our media is 100% live. A lot of bands showcase a splashy studio video with multiple camera angles, overdubbed/autotuned audio, and professional hair, makeup, and wardrobe. While a manufactured promo video is beautifully polished, it’s not a realistic picture of a live performance and how that band interacts with a room full of people. I’m incredibly proud that we’ve never felt the need to rely on the controlled setting of a studio video.
The Chris Sarlas Orchestra features new live audio and video on a weekly basis. Pop music is constantly changing, and we’re excited to share our performances of the hottest new tunes. Our clients have told us over and over again that our live video collection gives them great peace of mind in the decision-making process of choosing the right band for their wedding day. We’re very transparent. The band is strong because we perform with the same rockstar musicians and vocalists week after week, and it’s pretty clear that they all adore each other. When the band is having fun, guests pick up on that energy and it takes the celebration to the next level. Not only do we want to get to know our couples, we want them to get to know us too!
Contact Info:
- Address: 3100 Centennial Ln
Highland Park, IL 60035 - Website: www.sarlasmusic.com
- Phone: 847.780.8900
- Email: chris@sarlasmusic.com
Image Credit:
Jai Girard
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