Mary Greiner's endeavor has been locally and nationally recognized for integrity and commitment. The Triangle Women, Cary News, Raleigh Business Digest, Business Properties - Triangle Edition, News and Observer, Chapel Hill Herald, Triangle Business Journal, The Spectator, and Nation's Business have featured articles about her service. In 2003 NACE (National Association of Catering Executives) voted her two best musical presentation awards, and she is also a Charter Member of the Triangle Bridal Association.
 

Awards

• Best Presentation 2002 - National Association of Catering Executives 
• Best Presentation 2003 - National Association of Catering Executives 

Press Releases

• Triangle Business Journal 
• Nation's Business 
• The News and Observer 
• Business Digest of Greater Raleigh 

Performing Experience

• Twenty years in the North Carolina Symphony 
• Member of Durham Symphony, Raleigh Symphony and Tar River Band and Orchestra 
• Member of Triangle Symphonic Wind Ensemble 
• Member of Bach Aria Group, New York 

Testimonials

• “My thanks to you for suggesting this band. They were such a large part of what made the wedding and the reception a success. I would not hesitate to give them and you my highest recommendation. Please use me as a reference anytime.” - Lorraine C-B

 
• “Thank you for providing beautiful music for the reception held at the Governor's Mansion...The evening was very special, and we are grateful to you for your part in making this important event in the cultural life of our state so memorable.” - Office of the Secretary - North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources

 
• “Thank you for your time, your support and your professionalism in helping make our wedding a beautiful event. Your recommendations for our musical program were pivotal to the ebb and flow of the ceremony. We appreciate your warmth and kindness and support. The wedding was truly magical-your help was a big reason for that.” - Tina A.C.

 
• “Musicians Booking Agency has unfailingly met the requirements that we demand of our associates! I find you and your staff to be professional, accommodating, cordial, courteous, flexible and gracious. I am confident each time that I refer a guest to you... Musicians Booking Agency is truly a gem...”

J. Cusatis - Director of Catering Sales, The Siena Hotel
 
• “We wanted to thank you again for guiding us in the type of music and instruments that would provide us with such wonderful memories. You were so professional, friendly and kind. We thank you so much for that.”

Rick and Vicki M.
 
• View More Testimonials 

Triangle Business Journal - (excerpt)

Greiner has a wider variety of music available then some other agencies. Besides the usual jazz, beach music, classic rock and oldies, she can provide a classical string quartet, a solo pianist or a barbershop quartet.

Greiner said finding the right music for an event is very important. "If you hired a caterer, you wouldn't just say 'send me some food,' would you?" she said.

Greiner sits down with each client and discusses the type of event planned, the budget, the guest list and the location, and she asks many questions to ensure that the client will be satisfied. Then she selects no more than five groups for the customer to choose from.

Greiner's contract specifies professional etiquette for all of her musicians. "They wear tuxedos; they don't bring their girlfriends; they don't sell T-shirts or set out tip jars; they don't hand out business cards," she said.
 
 

Nation's Business - (excerpt)

Mary Greiner's Musicians Booking Agency sets itself apart from the competition by requiring all the musicians to sign a strict etiquette contract. The contract states that a musician who performs a wedding or any other event will wear formal attire and will not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum, bring children or dates, or hand out business cards.

"It's very strict. That's why they call me the warden," Greiner jokes. But her clients love it. "People come to me because of the etiquette contract," she says. "I'm the only one who has it."

She takes a full-service approach to working with her clients. They are invited to her office to listen to tapes of the musicians they are considering. Greiner does not allow bands to use the same play list again and again. For weddings, she makes sure the band plays the favorite songs of the bride, the groom, and their parents.
 
 

News & Observer - (excerpt)

Oboist now makes music her business

During her years as an oboist with the N.C. Symphony, Mary E. Greiner pondered starting her own business. 

It was her sister's wedding disaster a decade ago that spurred her to action.

"I found myself, as the older sister, in the position of wedding director," said Ms. Greiner who is in her second month working as a music consultant from her West Raleigh home.

For music, she said, "we wanted piano, drums, bass and saz, just a little oldies dance band that would play mellow music my parents would like."

"What we got was a bunch of guys in blue jeans with guitars playing all origianl music. They brought 30 extra friends for the food and trashed the place."

She decided there must be a better way to book a band. And she thinks her Musicians Booking Agency is it.

For one thing, she requires musicians to sign a strict etiquette contract. Musicians may not bring their children, friends or spouses to engagements or chew gum, drink, eat, smoke or hand out business cards at events.

They must play what clients want, wear tuxedos or evening dresses unless clients ask for something else and bring solid metal music stands, not folding practice stands.

Musicians who don't comply are on their ears.

"Attitude keeps them out, lack of willingness to please a client," Ms. Greiner said. "When somebody says, 'What is the gig and how much does it pay?' that doesn't work.
 
 

Business Digest of Greater Raleigh -
Strategies For Successful Party Entertainment - by Mary Greiner

Use A Booking Agency

A booking agency is a professional service much like a travel agency or a realtor. Agents are knowledgeable about party planning and monitor all the performers in their agency for high standards. They can suggest unique performers, society bands or theme bands and recommend current trends. At a consultation you may see the photos, song lists and catalogues and listen to demo tapes or view videos. Agents can give impartial advice about the strengths of the different performers and can be your "interpreter" - communicating your needs to the musicians. Some also provide tuxedo attire and etiquette contracts and follow up on customer satisfaction. Agents keep in touch with the performers remind them weekly of their engagements and if a last-minute emergency should jeopardize your party, they can arrange for a substitute group, thus saving you all of the headaches and hassles. 

Evaluate Your Needs

There are objective criteria for determining the best band for your party: How big is the room? How "live" are the acoustics? How many people will be there? Is the music for listening or for dancing? What is the age span of your guests? Will guests prefer electronic or acoustic instruments? Where is the alternative rain site when planning an outdoor event? What is the theme of your party, which songs will enhance it, and are those songs on the band's play list? Do you want the band to honor your guests request? Even if Uncle Stan wants to polka? 

Examine The Costs And The Value

The cheapest band can be a very expensive mistake. The "starving artist" is inappropriate for you party's success. This bad bargain can include such unpredictable costs as shoddy attire, questionable hygiene, long breaks at the bar, the bringing of children or hungry groupies, subcontracting your party to another band, demanding more money at intermission, charging an extra "unloading fee", not rehearsing your requests, playing only their own original music, and sullen or resentful behavior. 

A band or a D.J. makes a large investment both in time and money to their careers: electronic equipment, tapes, sheet music, records, lessons, costumes, instruments, rehearsal time, studio rental, taxes, insurance, photographers, advertising, accounting and legal fees, and transportation. As professionals, they expect a fair return on their investment so they may continue to serve their valued customers. As with any business, beware of a service which is substantially below market price. The corners they cut may be your own.

Ask For Contractual Guarantees

Insist on a contract and fifty per cent deposit which will secure your date and time. Put in writing all agreements, such as set-up time, changing room, electricity requirements and equipment, lighting, piano provider, music selection, the event's address, the contact person, a day and evening telephone number, the start and end of the performance time, the break times and lengths, the attire, your policy regarding the band bringing extra guests, whether the band is welcomed to eat and drink, your preference on soliciting for more business at your party and whether they will display a tip jar, and of course the balance payment, method, and time.