When a new product comes on the market, I usually approach it with abounding skepticism for it seems everyone has the best product and the best deal for every unsuspecting customer. But, when I was shown the Aria music stand light a few weeks ago, I knew I had to have one.
My expectations for the perfect stand light are these-
• An abundance of light covering the entire stand area
• Convenient and secure attachment to the stand
• No light distractions for the audience
• Constructed to last
• Long lasting bulbs
• Even white light with no hot spots
• No conflict with fast page turns
After viewing and using Aria Brio stand light, I realized this model not only reached my expectations, it surpassed all my requirements.
When using the Aria Brio stand light your first realization is the amount of light transferred to the page. This light is evenly distributed across the stand with an even and eye comforting illumination. The notes actually seem to stand out more than when using a conventional stand light.
Aria Music Stand Lights come in three forms for different requirements. The least expensive model (Aria Solo) is comparable to the most popular stand now available and lists for $69.95 which is about in the middle price range of most of the higher end stand light. The next model is the Aria Diva model and lists for $89.95. This model increases the illumination considerably more than the Aria Solo and is very similar to the top model (Aria Brio which sells for $169.95. You may wonder why the Brio is nearly twice the cost of the Diva and that is what makes this an interesting comparison.
The top of the line Brio runs on an electrical cord or its own rechargeable battery. In addition to the slick feature, you can adjust the amount of light for every situation by adjusting a rheostat. No longer are we subjected to poor manuscript hidden from view on our music stand. The Diva and Brio lights will fill your stand with light and improve your ability to read your music.
If you are concerned with the life span of these lights, the manufacturer advertises the expected life of these bulbs (6 per strip) to be 100,000 hours i.e. using the light 8 hours per day, 365 days a year would be 34 years of constantly bright light.
Now……is the additional expense for a rechargeable battery and an adjustment rheostat worth it? You will have to answer that question yourself. The transmission of light seems to be the same between both models so the battery is the issue. For me, it’s a no brainer. If you have spent any time playing on stage or in a pit, you already know the problems when trying to plug into a wall outlet or an extension cord. And what happens when the power goes out during a show? “The show must go on” but it’s much better if the musicians can see their music.
