School & Teen Events Some Sugguestions Please: Dance for 300 High School Cheerleaders

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!
Status
Not open for further replies.
Djcarolina said:
I have a gig friday for about 300 high school cheerleaders grades 9-11. I've done plenty of middle and high school "teen" events, but i think this one might be a little different since there won't be any male students in attendance. I know that it'll be a night for plenty of "girl" songs like fergalicious, hot n cold etc.
Click to expand...

Let me give you a hint: Always, always, always play for the women in the audience. If the women are happy, the guys will be happy. If there are only women there, you should still keep them happy.

I would avoid going too far into the jock jams style of songs. I would encourage participation with songs like the cha-cha slide, twist, and even the YMCA.

For more modern songs, look to boy bands, and pop tarts - Jonas Brothers, Brittney, Christina Aguilera, Katy Perry, Pink, S Club 7, etc.

I would look for all the artists and genres that have been mentioned so far, and I would add some 80's pop (Madonna, Cindi Lauper, Gloria Estefan, etc). You could also go old school with some of the boy bands - Backstreet Boys, NKOTB, Westlife, NSync. I would also mix in some trash disco...but I happen to love trash disco.

I would probably avoid using songs that they had cut for any routines - you will not have the routine version with the sound effects on the top...and by the end of the year they have already head that song 10,000 times...and are probably sick of it.
 
I'm wondering why they need a 3 hour dance for mostly girls...


Dude, you are fine. Stick to Prom type stuff and keep off the slow songs UNLESS its a sing-a-long like Love Story. Prolly play that sing a long stuff early on.


Thriller should work, maybe some Respect by Aretha, Gwen Stefani, even some fall out boy, all American rejects, Panic at the Disco, Maroon 5, Justin Timberlake for some of the rockier stuff.

Pink should rock too..

Fill in the rest with Techno and Hip Hop.

Hope this fills in some holes for ya.
 
Steve Sharp said:
I don't think there's some "magic bullet" floating around for this particular job, and as unique as it is, I don't know that anyone else here has done one quite like this.

All this being said, I'd play this very high energy, but otherwise similar to a regular dance for this age group, avoiding any slow song, or music otherwise inappropriate.

If cheerleader routines are any indication: fast cuts, lots of D.J. "mix tricks", and high BPM music will be good. A cheer group is similar to a dance crew (think the MTV show), and if you can get to know what songs they do routines to, it certainly would be advisable to have and be familiar with them.

"I Kissed A Girl" would be definitely out, IMO.
Click to expand...
You are correct. High energy is what they want. I have done an all girls event a few months ago. Have a pad ready and open the floor for requests. You may get swamped in doing this though. The e-mail request Jon suggested is the best, as you will be prepared and ready when the day comes.
 
Djcarolina said:
I have a gig friday for about 300 high school cheerleaders grades 9-11. Thoughts and Sugguestions Appreciated!
Click to expand...

sorry I'm reading this on Friday night at 6pm...no help now I guess :sqfrown:

Ting Tings - That's Not My Name
Big Ali - Hit The Floor
Josh Guru Project - Infinity
3Oh!3 - Don't Trust Me
Flo-Rida - Sugar
Bob Sinclair - Rock This Party (or) World Hold On
Sean Kingston - Fire Burning
Kaskade ft Deadmau5 - Move For Me

plus what others said...B.E.P./Katy Perry/J.T.....apologies if this is all too obvious.....maybe you'll do a last minute log in?
 
Go to the mall, it is full of teen age girls and ask. Take a clip board and say you are doing a survey. Trust me you will get all the suggestions you will ever need. I have done it a few times for school dances, then I hit the CD store with my new shopping list in hand.

***err... sorry wasn't paying attention... to little to late.
 
TJtheDJ said:
Go to the mall, it is full of teen age girls and ask. Take a clip board and say you are doing a survey. Trust me you will get all the suggestions you will ever need. I have done it a few times for school dances, then I hit the CD store with my new shopping list in hand.

***err... sorry wasn't paying attention... to little to late.
Click to expand...

LOL! and probably get arrested for trying to pick up underage girls! :sqlaugh:
 
I know this response comes a bit to late but I'm going to give it anyway.

Carolina looks to us for help. It's was we are here for. He asked for something specific and one of his first responses is, let's just say not a professional response I'd expect from this board. We are trying to help and mold upcoming DJ's and provide them with guidance and assistance. Since he's a graduating Senior he's showing responsibility for his business and doing what any of us would tell him do to, ask for help. So just give him the damn help. If you don't know then don't respond. If you have ideas then offer them. Let's not turn off someone who is showing responsibility for his work.

Now, I have a daughter who is a competitive cheerleader. She travels all around for competitions. This year alone we've been down to Atlantic City, Baltimore, and all over New England. Unless you've been to these competitions you really don't understand this type of group. Let me say, these are not your high school football team cheerleaders. These are athletes in fierce competition going for those 1st place trophies. Girls mostly and a few boys who love to compete and love to party. I know this dance if for high school cheerleaders but I'd bet that many of them are on competition teams as well. Even the high school teams have a competition circuit.

I would suggest if you ever provide another one of these dances just visit one of these competitions and you'll gain a better understanding of how these kids work and play.

Many of the songs suggested were great. What these kids listen and dance to are no different than at home or in school. Someone stated they are performers, this is true. I've done smaller parties for my girls and they love doing parts of their routines. So having their music on hand is a great idea (if possible).

I've watched entire stadiums and concert venues packed with cheerleaders all doing the Cupid shuffle, Cha Cha slide, Booty Drop, etc together in unison. It's impressive. Throw on "Don't Stop Believing" and let them sing. They all know the words and love the song.

Knowing their team names is very important. They love to hear their team names shouted out by the DJ. Within their routines each team has a tag line. Your high schools my even have a special cheer. Allow the teams in a chant competition to shout out their tag line. You could always give out a team spirit award toward the end of the event. So many things you can provide for such a group of great kids that the ideas are limitless.

Again, I know the show is past but take some of this info and store it in the back of your mind for later use. And read between the threads. There are many people here who are willing to help. Know who they are and trust them. The others, well their just frustrated.
 
First of all Mr Ron for a short BHB that Horse your trying to scale is a bit tall. Whats up with that Black Kettle?

Carolina you likely misread my response as I was trying to say this event was with your peers even if mostly girls. I was saying guys in general dont know what a girl wants. Get to know this and any event will be Golden. Sometimes I find myself speaking in code. Perhaps being from another planet I dont always become understood by mere humans.

I am always proud to see the moving forward Carolina and the others who have shown great progress. It wasnt intended to bash you at all. I guess I found it funny that you wouldnt know what the girls go nuts over after doing so many HS dances over the top with how you do them. If it was taken by you and none of these 30 + yr old men as negative I apologize.

Ron a hint a step ladder will giddyup, now put down that kettle, you could hurt yourself.
 
Thanks for all your sugguestions guys. The function went phenomenol and i'll be posting a log on it later tonight or tomorrow (I graduated this morning/afternoon so some celebration is in order...followed by a gig ;))

The event was a lot easier than I had expected. First of all, I just recently purchased a wireless connect card for my laptop, giving me instant access to every song imaginable (legally of course). Second, I laid the groundwork and actually facebooked some of the girls that I know that cheer and got the songs that were parts of routines and/or had special meaning to the team. This was a brilliant move and ended up creating some kickass moments throughout the night. The biggest part of it was that I was able to beatmix nearly every song with the exception of 4-5 throughout the night which kept the floor full and the crowd happy.

I can say that I do have a solid foundation on what girls respond to and my work through school dances has been a major contributor to that. However, we must remember that, in my original post, this was a new kind of event. Girls love dancing to lollipop, but theres also guys. The male presence can drastically change the mood and feel of a crowd and vice versa. Its important to always remember that a crowd is more than just a form your playing music at, its a responding entity that is different every time and its demographic can/will/should impact your show's structure.

In my oppinion, what we do as DJs is an art form. Most of us take this job very seriously and we do much more than push buttons. I could care less if i'm playing all the hottest music, if the crowd isn't on the floor and having a good time, then i'm not polished at my craft. For this reason, i've spend countless hours researching, designing, planning and building my shows so that they bring something to my audiences that is unique to my market. I always seek the approval of my peers, my clients and my fellow entertainers and I will always make it my goal to exceed the expectations of all of the above.
 
I hope my critical comments in a small way helped you go above and beyond gaining info through facebook. I admire your detail structured efforts as it is how I roll as well. You will be one of the DJ Worlds leaders in years to come. Keep up the good work. Your Art is gaining experience.
 
I'm at a gig so I'll be breif.

No mixing words, I'll speak plain english. Joh your comments were not helpful at all. Even Carolina didn't quite understand what you were saying and was taken back. Help the kid, plain and simple. There is no need of being critical. He wasn't asking to be critiqued of his performance. He was asking for music suggestions. It's done now more on.
 
I didn't resort to facebook, i utilized it as a tool for a new age client.

I followed my company's procedures for obtaining information for an event, however, my client chose not to return music sheets. In the interest of providing the kind of show consistent with my reputation, i chose to go above and beyond and do personal research into the demographic expected for this dance. My efforts were well rewarded.

Jon- Here's my only issue with your words of wisdom. You word things in such a way that it balances on the line between sincerity and sarcasm. I value and appreciate what you do for fellow djs here and in your community, but i'd prefer if, when responding to my questions, you be straightforward.
 
Jon Tuck said:
ok so I remit my remarks and dont find any reward from my silly efforts. Goodnight!
Click to expand...

I specifically said that I appreciate your contribution, but simply asked that you be clear. Your intentions are in the right place, I know that, and I thank you for your continued support.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom
Back