Salary Scales and Cost Saving Considerations
After conducting a quick survey of local
musicians who are MUSICTemps members and some on our
mailing list, we've compiled the following helpful tips.
Click here to view Musicians
Salary Survey Results
Should musicians be paid by the job or the hour?
In answering this question, we must first define two types of musicians. In
the professional world, there tends to be two common types of musicians. We
will call the first group, "A". "A" quality musicians learn rapidly and are
usually seasoned professionals who require less rehearsal time. The next
group we'll call "B". They can generally learn their parts, given enough
rehearsals. This is not to imply that with enough rehearsals, a group
composed of "B" musicians will yield the same performance as with "A"
quality players.
Generally, the scale for rehearsals is less than a concert. The rates for
rehearsals vary between $70-100. Concert scale varies from $75-175. (The
reason for this wide variance goes back to our analogy of using "A" vs. "B"
quality musicians.)
Cost savings are better achieved by choosing excellent musicians and
carefully managing how rehearsal time is used. The other alternative is
using musicians who may cost less but require more rehearsal time, possibly
forcing more rehearsals or even compromising the final quality of the
performance. Paying for one 2 ½ hour rehearsal and a concert (usually
considered to another 2 ½ hour maximum) may be adequate compensation for a
concert. In some cases an additional rehearsal prior to the dress rehearsal
may be necessary. If there's ample time before a performance, you may need
to use that time for a sound check and any last minute fixes. (Usually 30
minutes)
What other wage considerations are there?
1.) Musicians who are featured soloists are often compensated slightly more.
On occasion, some pieces of music call for extensive solo work on the part
of certain individuals. (This can become a consideration if there are
multiple solo movements.)
2.) Cartage fees can become an issue when hiring musicians who play larger
instruments. Their rates can vary based on circumstance such as distance and
(for percussionist) the number of instruments required.
How do I get most effective results from my rehearsal dollars?
You can get better results from your rehearsals if you:
1.) If possible, tackle all the difficult choral issues before bringing
in the instrumentalists.
2.) It's better having one long rehearsal as close to the concert date
than several shorter ones spaced many days apart. Often times when too much
time elapses between rehearsal, some musicians will forget key points. This
isn't as likely to happen if there is a rehearsal on or immediately before
the concert date. By planning your rehearsal(s) this way, it allows you to
consider allocating slightly more to hire "A" quality musicians. (Standard
rehearsal times run from 2 ½ to 3 hours.)
3.) On some occasions it may become advantageous to practice with some of
the solo instrumentalists prior to the dress rehearsal.
4.) Musicians stay focused longer if they're not sitting idle for long
periods of time. Rehearse larger pieces first and accomplish your goals that
require the most people. Then dismiss the personnel that you no longer need.
You'll have more attentive musicians to work with, guaranteed.
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Violinist: Usually $125 for a
same day rehearsal and one or two services.
Percussionist: The only two
cents I'd like to add is that there ought to
always be cartage money provided for the transportation and loading in/out
of percussion instruments in addition to the per service performance fees.
The amount would vary depending upon the number of percussion instruments
required (timpani, xylophone, chimes, BD, etc) and the distance traveled. These
fees might range from $35 to $?? per service (if the equipment cannot be
left on location) and could also be apportioned amongst the percussionists
hired for the gig. For rehearsals and performances, I think a 'per service'
fee between $80-$100 would be fine.
Violinist: The local 47
musicians union sets out pay scales for religious
services as follows: $120 for a 2 hour religious service and $110 for a 2
and 1/2 hour rehearsal. There are also Health and Welfare 10% (so we can
get health coverage) and pension at 10%. Then to really be legitimate there
is self employment tax, workers comp, etc. Musicians usually don't work by
the hour but rather by the service.
Trumpet: $175 for a Sunday
service (2 services or 2 services and a rehearsal
just prior to) $100-150 for a rehearsal on a date other than the actual gig.
These prices would double on Easter and Christmas or Christmas Eve
These prices would be for a "local" gig.
Violist: For solo performance
at a church service, I usually charge $150.
That would include a small rehearsal, if necessary, and if the choir wants
me to play along with hymns, etc, I will read those (I play viola). For
ensemble work, I usually go with the contracted rate, which tends to vary.
Violist: Should follow the plan
of any orchestra gig. Concertmaster and
principles earn more.
Rehearsals are less pay than concerts, etc. Cartage for large instruments a
consideration.
Harpist: Union scale per
rehearsal/concert and cartage for the percussion and harp.
Cellist: my input is this: I've
been paid all kinds of rates, but some
examples may help. At a big church in Pasadena I get around $225 for one 2 1/2
hour
rehearsal and two one hour church services. I just did a job in Newport
Beach with 2 rehearsals (2 1/2 hr) and two performances (1 1/4 hr each) and
received $400.
Flautist: Hi! Here's my quick
response:
1) He should pay equally for all musicians
2) He can pay by the gig, but rehearsal and gig times should be clear and
strictly enforced
3) Actual amount for rehearsals. gig is not that big a deal - just the
overall amount and hours involved
4) Everybody should make at least $75 per service (averaging all services)
Bassist: Here are the
Professional Musician's Union's scales as listed on
their
accurate website. These scales are only available for viewing by Union
members for some reason. Call the Union if you wish to verify this info. I
just cut and pasted the info into this e-mail. It should also be noted that
cartage should be added which varies between $10-35 according to the
instruments or amps being carted. Doubling fees do not apply to these gigs;
however pension and health welfare deductions (20% of total wages) do apply.
WS#112 Religious & Funeral Services
Minimum Call 2 hours
Base Scale $120.00
Overtime $30.00/half hour
Leaders Leader's Scale shall not apply to Religious Services or Funeral
Services.
Doubling Doubling premiums shall not apply.
Cartage shall apply.
WS#101-A General Rehearsals
Applicable to all rehearsals except those for Grand Opera, Operetta, Ballet,
and Theatrical Productions or for Pre-Production.
Minimum Call 2 1/2 hours
Base Scale $110.00
Overtime Up to One Hour $22.00/half hour
After the First Hour $33.00/half hour
Intermissions There shall be 20 minutes of intermission during the Minimum
Call (beginning no later than 75 minutes after starting time), plus 5
additional minutes for each half hour of overtime.
Ending Time Except as otherwise provided, any Rehearsal time occurring
within one hour prior to the start of a performance shall require a premium
payment
of $18.00 in addition to the regular rate.
Dress Rehearsals When a Rehearsal is run in show sequence with show
intermissions, Performance Scale shall apply.
Sound Checks Sound Checks immediately prior to a Performance may be added
to the Performance time, i.e., treated as starting the Performance.
Violinist: Check the Local 7
Musicians Association in Santa Ana or the
Musicians Union Local 47 Professional Musicians in Hollywood for pay scales.
Bear in the mind that Unions pay benefits and these are deducted from each
musician's check. So if you don't pay these benefits, most professional
musicians will take the cash, providing you include the benefits.
Percussionist: Base scale for a
religious service is listed at $120 for a 2
hour minimum. Over 2 hours is at $30.00 per half hour. Local 47 doesn't
list a rehearsal scale but usually rehearsals seem to run at about 2/3 base
pay. Rehearsals are usually 2 1/2 hours with a 20 minute break in the
middle of the rehearsal. With one rehearsal and the service the church
should probably expect to pay around $200.00 per musician.
Violinist: The pay scale for
any church gig is what the musicians will
accept, anywhere from 75.00 per service and up. It really has to do with
the quality of musicians you want. In Los Angeles, I hire the best I can get
for the money, It saves time and money.
Bassoonist: All players should
get the same amount excepting the Concert
Master and of course the contractor gets his fee. Try to get a good union
kind of scale, but go with your instinct in creating a pay situation that is
worthwhile to the musician and fits the church budget. For example, one
long rehearsal is more cost effective than two short ones.
Oboist: I get $100. per service
for my church job down in Norwalk. That is
for one rehearsal and two church services. My check is for $300.
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Last modified:06/10/05
