Has your choir been asked to perform at an event for free? Or maybe you’ve been asked to run a singing workshop for a big corporation for ‘exposure’.
It’s easy for people to imagine that there are no costs involved in doing a bit of singing, but that’s far from the truth.
So many musicians these days are being asked to perform for free. In exchange, they’re offered ‘exposure’ through social media and other networks.
Like many people in business (and government!), arts and culture are seen as optional extras, and not that important to ‘the economy’. But where do they think all those Netflix series, page-turner novels and streamed music come from?
It’s quite common for a business or local fete to ask for singers to perform without any financial reward. They somehow believe that they’re doing the singers a favour by providing a performing opportunity.
It’s also common for large corporations to bring in some arty person for a team-building exercise. Singing works brilliantly for this. However, there’s usually no budget. The corporations seem to think that a bit of free publicity on social media will be enough compensation.
Or when a Christmas event or new store opening needs a choir, they won’t offer any money. Just a vague “It’s a great opportunity, and might lead to other gigs!”
There are so many reasons why these requests are insulting and have no understanding of the costs involved.
- No value is being given to the singers or choir/ workshop leader and their expertise and time.
- There is no understanding of the hidden costs involved (choir leader’s fee, travel costs, hire of rehearsal venue, cost of music scores, etc.).
- Music-making is seen as somehow less valuable than other endeavours. There is no way that the event will not pay for catering or venue hire for example.
- If you perform for free, then you will be setting a precedent for other choirs and singers in the future.
- Even if an event is for charity, you should be given the choice to donate your usual fee to the charity rather than it being assumed.
- Social media ‘exposure’ won’t usually lead to other opportunities. It’s cost-free for the organisers and doesn’t offer anything tangible.
And don’t get me started on choirs who don't think that their choir leader deserves any financial reward!
Chris Rowbury
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