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# UpBeat Music Productions – Premier Wedding Band in Chicago

UpBeat Music Productions, located in Chicago, IL, is renowned for its exceptional live music services, particularly for weddings and special events. With a focus on creating memorable experiences, UpBeat offers a range of musical ensembles, including the UpBeat Band and UpBeat Orchestra. Established with a vision to elevate events through music, UpBeat has garnered a reputation for its professionalism and adaptability, ensuring that each performance is tailored to the client's preferences. The community has embraced UpBeat, often highlighting the band's ability to engage guests and create an energetic atmosphere. Reviews consistently praise their talented musicians and seamless execution, making them a top choice for couples seeking a lively celebration.

## History
### The story of UpBeat Music Productions
UpBeat Music Productions was founded with the mission to provide high-quality live music for weddings and events. The vision was clear: to create a dynamic and engaging atmosphere through a diverse range of musical styles. The founder, Michael Cascio, recognized the importance of music in setting the tone for special occasions, and thus, UpBeat was born. Over the years, the company has evolved, expanding its offerings to include various musical configurations, from soloists to full orchestras, catering to a wide array of client needs.

### Milestones and growth
- Established in Chicago, IL, focusing on wedding music.
- Expanded repertoire to include various genres and styles.
- Gained recognition for exceptional customer service and performance quality.
- Developed a strong online presence, leading to increased bookings.
- Adapted to changing market demands, including virtual performances during the pandemic.

### Cultural and local influence
UpBeat Music Productions has significantly influenced the local wedding scene in Chicago. By providing a unique blend of contemporary and classic music, the band has become a staple at various events, contributing to the cultural fabric of the city. Their performances often reflect the diverse musical tastes of Chicagoans, and they have played at numerous venues, enhancing the overall experience for couples and their guests.

### Continuing the tradition
UpBeat continues to uphold its founding principles by prioritizing client satisfaction and musical excellence. The team regularly engages with clients to customize performances, ensuring that each event reflects the couple's unique story. This commitment to personalization has solidified UpBeat's reputation as a leader in the wedding music industry, with many clients returning for future events or recommending the band to friends and family.

## Community
### Community involvement
UpBeat Music Productions actively participates in the local community by supporting various events and charitable causes. The band often collaborates with wedding planners and venues to enhance community events, showcasing their talent while giving back. Their involvement helps foster a sense of unity and celebration within the Chicago area, further establishing their presence as a beloved local entity.

### Community notion about the place
The community holds UpBeat in high regard, often referring to them as a hidden gem in the wedding industry. Many couples express gratitude for the band's ability to transform their special day into an unforgettable experience. The positive word-of-mouth and numerous testimonials highlight the band's dedication to excellence and their ability to connect with audiences, making them a sought-after choice for live music.

### Events and gatherings
UpBeat Music Productions frequently participates in various events beyond weddings, including corporate functions and community gatherings. These performances allow the band to reach a broader audience and showcase their versatility. By engaging in diverse events, UpBeat not only promotes their services but also contributes to the local arts scene, reinforcing their commitment to community involvement.

## Offerings
### What UpBeat Music Productions offers
UpBeat Music Productions provides a comprehensive range of musical services tailored to weddings and special events. Their offerings include live bands, orchestras, and solo performances, ensuring that clients can find the perfect musical accompaniment for their occasion. The team is dedicated to creating a personalized experience, working closely with clients to curate setlists that resonate with their vision.

### Dining and food experience
While UpBeat primarily focuses on music, they understand the importance of creating a cohesive atmosphere that complements the dining experience at events. Their performances are designed to enhance the ambiance, whether during cocktail hours or dinner receptions, allowing guests to enjoy both the culinary delights and the musical backdrop. The band often collaborates with catering teams to ensure seamless transitions between music and dining.

### Events and packages
UpBeat offers various packages to accommodate different event sizes and budgets. Clients can choose from options that include ceremony music, cocktail hour performances, and full reception bands. Each package is customizable, allowing couples to select specific songs and arrangements that hold personal significance. This flexibility ensures that every event is unique and tailored to the couple's preferences.

- Ceremony music (soloists or small ensembles)
- Cocktail hour performances (jazz, classical, or contemporary)
- Full reception bands (various sizes and genres)
- Customizable setlists based on client requests

### Facilities and features
- Professional sound equipment
- Experienced sound technicians
- Extensive music repertoire across genres
- Customizable performances tailored to client preferences
- Engaging emcee services to guide the event

## Pros and Cons
### Key insights from reviews
Reviews of UpBeat Music Productions reveal a consistent pattern of satisfaction among clients. Many couples commend the band's professionalism, talent, and ability to engage guests throughout the event. The personalized approach to planning and performance is frequently highlighted, as is the band's adaptability to various musical requests. However, some reviews mention occasional communication delays, particularly during peak booking seasons.

### Compliments and strengths
Clients often praise UpBeat for their:
- Exceptional musical talent and versatility
- Ability to create a lively and engaging atmosphere
- Thorough planning process and attention to detail
- Flexibility in accommodating last-minute requests
- Professionalism and dedication to client satisfaction

### Contrasts and notable mentions
While the majority of reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few clients have expressed concerns regarding communication. Some noted that while Michael is thorough in his responses, the volume of information can be overwhelming. Additionally, there have been mentions of minor timing issues during events, though these did not detract from the overall experience.

### Summary evaluation
Overall, UpBeat Music Productions is highly regarded for its exceptional live music services. The band's commitment to excellence and client satisfaction has earned them a loyal following in the Chicago area. While there are minor areas for improvement, the overwhelmingly positive feedback from clients underscores UpBeat's reputation as a premier choice for wedding and event music.

## Location & Nearby Attractions
UpBeat Music Productions is conveniently located at 3615 N Ashland Ave, Ste 1S, Chicago, IL 60613. Situated in a vibrant neighborhood, the location offers easy access to various cultural and entertainment attractions. Chicago is known for its rich musical heritage, and UpBeat's presence adds to the city's dynamic arts scene. Couples planning their weddings can explore nearby venues and attractions, making it an ideal location for both locals and out-of-town guests.

## FAQs
**What types of events does UpBeat Music Productions cater to** UpBeat specializes in weddings but also performs at corporate events and private parties.

**Can we customize our setlist** Yes, UpBeat allows clients to create a personalized setlist tailored to their preferences.

**Do they provide sound equipment** Yes, UpBeat includes professional sound equipment and technicians in their services.

**How far in advance should we book** It is recommended to book UpBeat at least six months in advance for popular dates.

**Is UpBeat willing to travel for events** Yes, UpBeat is based in Chicago but is open to traveling for events with appropriate arrangements.

## Visit UpBeat Music Productions Today
Experience the magic of live music with UpBeat Music Productions. With a rich history of providing exceptional musical services for weddings and events, UpBeat is dedicated to creating unforgettable moments. Their talented musicians, personalized approach, and commitment to client satisfaction make them a top choice for couples in Chicago. Whether you're planning a wedding or a special event, UpBeat Music Productions is ready to bring your vision to life. Don't miss the opportunity to elevate your celebration with their outstanding performances.

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Michael & UpBeat were EXACTLY what we needed for our wedding. Michael set up multiple phone calls with us before the wedding to go over details and understand what we wanted for our day. The band set up rehearsals just to practice our exact set list. We decided on Piano & Violin for the ceremony, with additional Piano for cocktail hour. The full band played a wonderful and creative 3 hour set during our reception. Upbeat set up all of our sound equipment and did a comprehensive sound check early that day. They even had a sound tech on their staff. Upbeat customized our wedding to our exact requests. They ensured to perfect our precessional, recessional, and prelude music. We requested contemporary love songs in which they rocked!! Our cocktail hour was perfect and the guests were complementing how talented the musicians were. Michael was our emcee for the nights events and ensured to follow my timeline to a T. He checked in multiple times with our wedding planner, as well as me and my husband. The 3-hour reception was full of energy, talent, and craftsmanship. Upbeat performed multiple medleys allowing songs to flow seamlessly into each other. The vocalists were top tier and were able to sing a wide variety of genres. The instrumentalists all played a critical role in the feel of the party! I 100% recommend adding the horn to your band! It made every song feel rich & full. Shout out to Reid Spears, piano & vocals, THE TALENT IS POURING OUT OF HIM. If you're thinking about a live band, DO IT. This band is worth every penny!!! We will forever be a fan of UpBeat! Maddy & Sean

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After my sister had UpBeat at her wedding, it was a no-brainer that I would hire them for mine. Michael and the whole crew bring the kind of expertise, enthusiasm and energy that you want in a band. They have an extensive repertoire of music to choose from and are extremely accommodating to any requests outside of their lineup. Every phone call and email is extremely thorough so you know exactly what to expect and then some. If we had to do it all over again, we'd choose Upbeat in a heartbeat.

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Michael and the entire UpBeat band made our new years eve wedding night very special and we cannot say enough good things. A live band was a must for us and choosing them was the best decision we made! Our guests have not stopped raving about how much fun they had and couldn't get over the band. We were all blown away by the performance and energy UpBeat brought! The dance floor was packed the entire night. Michael was patient, helpful, and thorough throughout the planning process. He honored all of our wishes for the night and was flexible when we made changes and sent him last minute ideas. He reviewed our timeline and schedule multiple times throughout the weeks leading up so that the logistics of the night were ironed out and we could relax. He was professional, kind, and everything went off without a hitch. We didn't have a wedding coordinator so this was something we were nervous about, but UpBeat handled it all! They had an extensive list of music they could play and were willing to learn new songs to incorporate our requests. Our venue was an old building with no audio capabilities and so Michael and the band showed up early in the morning to set up two different spaces for to play, the ceremony and the reception. If you're looking for a fun dance party with very talented musicians, these are your people! We only found them after seeing them at a friends wedding and having an absolute blast. As some of the other reviews have said - they really are a buried treasure, especially in the 2022 wedding business.

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We had UpBeat Orchestra as our wedding band In October 2023. They were incredible! Leading up to the event, Michael worked with us to really personalize the music, making sure all of details were discussed. It was so special to have customized ceremony music played by their piano and violin duo and to have the full band play our first & parent dances. My mom and sister's speech included some song clips and Michael made sure it went smoothly. And we had so much fun dancing! Our guests commented it felt like more like a concert than a wedding. We would recommend UpBeat to others looking for a wedding band.

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We booked for our wedding and couldn't recommend them more. They are based in Chicago but traveled to Indy for our wedding! They were so good and helpful when we made the decision to postpone from our original date June 2020 to September 2021. We appreciate how flexible the band was with all of the changes and challenges we faced with planning a wedding during a pandemic. They honestly made the process seamless. It was 100% worth the wait, we were so impressed, all our guests loved the music and we couldn't fault anything. Michael went above and beyond and helped us out with our ceremony music and the band even continued to play even after the reception had ended. All of the performers were amazing and so kind! We continue to get rave reviews from our guests about UpBeat Orchestra! We highly, highly recommend booking UpBeat orchestra for your wedding or event! Thank you so much for everything!!! Kristen & Ryan!

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Michael Cascio and the band provided music for our daughters wedding. From the start Michael was professional and courteous. Provided us with more than enough information regarding wedding music and answered all of our questions plus a few we hadnt considered. At the ceremony Reid Spears played piano and Zara Zahareiva the violin. Flawless. Reception: Front Line: Precious Taylor, Curtis Bryant, Victor Brinsen, LIsa Michelle, Rhythm Section: Michael Cascio, Casey Ostrowski, Reid Spears, Horns: Ron Haynes, Kevin Kizer and Kendall Moore They kept the dance floor full all night. Music range was excellent. A little something for everyone. Such talent all in one band. Michael thanked us for having them play. He showed such appreciation. It was heartwarming. When on wedding related phone calls Michael does tend to talk a LOT and emails are unnecessarily wordy but WOW you do get every single question answered and again--a few questions we had not considered. Michael knows how to make your reception amazing!!! Highly recommend UPBEAT!

de5f77d4-cf32-4069-9fbc-c3fb9b17561e

Michael is unprofessional and unethical. After verbally committing to me that Upbeat was on hold for my wedding date, Michael proceeded to book another couple who wanted a larger band. Michael then went completely incommunicado. Think very carefully before you hire Upbeat and make sure you get a contract written in stone because Michael's word is worth nothing.

5e391adf-56a8-4069-b694-4c448074c0d4

Michael Cascio and UpBeat Orchestra was one of our best decisions involved in our wedding weekend. Live music was a must for us as my wife's family is a musical family going back multiple generations. After looking at a variety of options, nothing seemed to match the quality and style of UpBeat in our selection process. And they did not disappoint. Michael is extremely passionate about the group, their music, and their enthusiasm to put on a high-end professional experience that is fun for everyone. Everyone raved about the music and it was hard to get people to leave the dancefloor. They were excellent in so many ways from their execution of the classics to their Mo-Town Medley specialties to their ability to incorporate some newer hits and special request songs. The sets and flow was seamless and they went above and beyond making sure the music was everything we imagined. They even incorporated the ND fight song mid-way through the second set when the Irish won their game that was happening during the reception. It was a personal touch that was greatly appreciated. Make sure to make time for the planning calls and follow-ups as they are time-consuming, but very thorough. But, Michael is a joy to talk to and is extremely passionate in helping develop the perfect set of music for your event. However, we also got the vibe that if you do not want to put in the work, you can give some minor guidance and the band knows what they are doing and can take care of that and still put together an amazing show. Another added bonus is that they offer ceremony, cocktail hour, and dinner music. We were able to incorporate live music for the entire reception event with very classy cocktail piano music and a jazz trio for dinner. Both were amazing, and didn't require additional logistics as they were already members of the larger orchestra for the dance portion of the night. Two small areas where they can improve but are not dealbreakers are the timeliness of response and the timing for some aspects of the reception. Michael and UpBeat are extremely busy and are often times hard to get a hold of. However, they do respond after a little persistence and/or patience and when you do interact and converse with Michael he does an excellent job being completely focused on you and your event. In terms of timing of the reception there was a slightly awkward moment with us waiting a few minutes on the dance floor for the first dance as the band was still getting prepped from the dinner music transition and then the band break went a little longer than planned, but they did such an excellent job and were very flexible with playing later than originally budgeted for, that these were minor things that did not negatively impact our guest's or our experience in any meaningful way. We would highly recommend and would gladly answer any questions to help confirm that UpBeat is the right choice for your event. And even though they are Chicago based, they are willing to travel if you provide lodging. Our wedding was in Madison, WI and they have played there several times.

7bcee04f-4dd2-4b0f-af41-eccfe6c53108

If you're reading this review, congratulations! You found the buried treasure of Chicagoland area wedding bands! While I never doubted that Upbeat was going to bring the house down, I can not tell you how absolutely grateful we are for how much energy, talent, and fun Michael and his team brought to our wedding. I am still in shock how talented everyone was and the price was so reasonable. They are getting many many many compliments from people from New York, California, and everywhere in between. Our friends know us as the fun couple that loves to dance and Upbeat represented us very well. I also want to compliment how beautiful the ceremony music was. It made the mood perfect. And lastly, Michael's emceeing was great! We so appreciate the time and attention he put into learning everyone's names and also getting the guests into all the dancing! Thank you!

b0521b39-6f5d-45d4-90bd-6617c1bfc6dd

We had a wonderful experience with the Upbeat Orchestra. We hired Upbeat for our wedding in June 2019 but are just now getting around to writing up the review. We hired the 10-piece orchestra and they were amazing. We had a solo piano player for our cocktail hour, a jazz trio for dinner, and the 10-piece orchestra for about a 3.5 hour dance party after dinner. They were easy to work with and have a very extensive inventory of songs. They worked with us to create a unique set list with lots of variety--something for everyone. They also learned a few new songs for us and they were great. Amazing singers, amazing instrumentals, just great all around. Michael also served as the emcee and did a wonderful job working with the venue and keeping everything on schedule. The dance floor was full the entire time, both with the younger crowd and also lots of people in our parents and grandparents' generation. Everyone kept asking for their name and contact at the reception because they were so good. Our guests still bring up how good they were six months later. We would highly recommend without any hesitation. Other than choice of spouse (obviously), hiring Upbeat was one of the best wedding-planning decisions that we made.

Discover vibrant live music at UpBeat Music Productions in Chicago. Experience top bands and orchestras in a lively setting. Book your musical night now.

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