Does church music pay?

[micguy]

The way I do it, I typically get free donuts (which aren't on my diet, so I politely decline) and free coffee. Some of the folks I play with get paid, most don't, and...I don't really care about that. You do get bigger audiences than a typical club, along with better (at least to a morning person) hours, and far less beer spilled on your equipment. The PA's are also better, at least in the churches I play in. I generally have a great time - the people that donate their talents and time doing this are usually very nice.

If you've said yes, and noone has offered you pay, you should assume you're volunteering.

 

[Two-Spirit]

Usually small and normal size churches, up to 500, only pay the pianist, organist and choir director. I've been to churches with country worship bands, and nobody gets paid but there's no reason you can't get paid. Larger churches, I don't know. Touring country acts normally do harmony and canned music.
I play guitar and bass at an Episcopal church for free. We have a paid choir director that play piano. The rest of the choir and orchestra play for free. We have guitar, mandolin, dulcimer, and bass.
Choir directors are used to crazy singers joining their churches and making all sorts of demands like getting paid, primadonnas.
But, you can ask.

 

[MCS4]

I've been a regular player in a few different services. None of them paid, other than for the person leading the music, who typically was employed by the church in some larger capacity (i.e. musical director, youth pastor, etc.).

 

[Two-Spirit]

I know someone who played bass for church and just begged for money all of the time. They let him live in two different tear downs for free. There is a demand for bassists and if you play your cards right you can use their connections to get a better day job and that's worth something to.

 

[4dog]

Depends on the size of the church and how bad they need a player.

 

[TomB]

If you don't know whether or not you're getting paid, you aren't.

Yeah, that's what I thought, but they just got back to me and offered $100. So, if I take the money does the salvation thing go out the window? Nah... don't answer that .

 

[hrodbert696]

Depends. Many churches that fall under the mantle of one of the major denominations will pay an honorarium to professional musicians. In the denomination I was brought up in, the liturgical music/choir directors and organists often (but not always) were paid a small amount for their services. Musicians (many if not most of whom were congregants), were for the most part expected to “generously donate of their time and talents” to the church.

Only quibble is that I think it has more to do with the individual congregation than the denomination it belongs to. If the congregation has the money and prioritizes musicians, it may pay them. But I don't think denominational structures have anything to do with it.

Ok, so it's a pretty small Methodist church. It will be just one song! But they want a rehearsal tomorrow night and a quickie before the show - yikes! I think there's a sound system for vocals but I expect a small bass combo will be needed, or at least advisable. And yes, they can pay me ... "something" ...still TBD. What the heck, I'll probably say yes - sounds like an adventure (not sure if it will save my soul though)! . Thanks again for your intel.

I wouldn't assume they have a bass amp unless they said they do. I see from your subsequent post that they will pay, which surprises me for a small church in New England. Most likely it's an older church with an endowment from past glory days and not much to spend it on, but who knows?

And no, we won't discuss your salvation, as TB rules do not permit discussing religion on open forums.

I play in my church every couple of weeks - usually acoustic guitar rather than bass as we're small and short-handed. For me, and I think for the majority of church musicians, playing is something we do on a volunteer basis, as our way of making a contribution, same as some people bring food for coffee hour or run the nursery or vacuum the building on weekends.

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

It's been over 40 years. So far, not a brass farthing. Fair enough, I think of it as a donation. I've even been know to flirt with heresy by playing up to the 14th fret. Shhhh.

 

[Engle]

Yeah, that's what I thought, but they just got back to me and offered $100. I'm in! So, if I take the money does the salvation thing go out the window? Nah... don't answer that .

Please report back afterward and let us know if the whole experience was worth the $100. I've found church folks will vary from open minded/smart/friendly to completely delusional/should probably be on meds. I try to avoid the latter even though some are relatives...

 

[TomB]

I think this must be a special event for them. I don't think they look for musicians on a regular basis, but on this occasion they reached out to a pro band for a bassist. I'm happy to leave religion out of it - it's not my thing at all. I was just curious about protocol as I've no experience in church matters of any kind. Thanks for all your perspectives - I told them I'd accept half of their offer.

 

[40Hz]

Only quibble is that I think it has more to do with the individual congregation than the denomination it belongs to. If the congregation has the money and prioritizes musicians, it may pay them. But I don't think denominational structures have anything to do with it.

My point was that larger denominations tend to have more money to work with (and sometimes even an actual music budget) than the smaller and independent congregations, who paradoxically often do more with music in their services than some of the larger churches. So please don’t try to read anything more into it than that.

FWIW - in the denomination I got brought up in (I’m not an active member these days), any decisions (such as use of music) are made on the regional rather than the local parish level, or by the local parish priest when they’re not. It’s a strict hierarchy as far as the church administration goes. The laity (or ‘congregation’) itself has virtually no say in the governance or operational details of the parish. It’s all decided “upstairs” so to speak. There’s also an approved songbook. If the song isn’t in the book, it doesn’t get used in a service until it’s put in the book. Which puts a bit of a damper on trying to introduce new music into the services. So in the case of this denomination, the denomination has everything to do with it.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

I have played at three different churches and none of them paid. I didn't expect them to. I play to serve the church as all believers are commanded in the bible to do. I enjoy playing as it is a great way to worship. If I were to get paid fine, but I don't do it for the money.

 

[40Hz]

I told them I'd accept half of their offer.

A decision worthy of Solomon who I’m told once said: “Let it be divided.”

 

[TomB]

It's been helpful to me to hear all of your responses and be reminded that money's not everything. The song will be "I Don't Feel No Ways Tired" (originally by James Cleveland) with multiple vocalists and it sounds like it will be a blast!

 

[bobdabilder]

Wow, sounds like regular everyday people you've described. Most likely because they are.

Please report back afterward and let us know if the whole experience was worth the $100. I've found church folks will vary from open minded/smart/friendly to completely delusional/should probably be on meds. I try to avoid the latter even though some are relatives...

 

[brianrost]

I used to play at a local Catholic church. No sound system at all, just organ and bass amps in the choir loft. Choir, banjo (!!) and flute were unamplified. Choir director got a small stipend, everyone else was unpaid. I had to buy my own copies of the music books we worked out of.

A friend is in the choir at a large church in Boston and the entire choir is paid.

 

[Afc70]

Many big mega/type churches do pay- & have many band members on staff- Church music directors can make pretty good salaries- $70-80$k a year or perhaps more at some of the big churches. Sometimes smaller churches pay the pianist or bandleader a small stipend or a “Christmas bonus” at the end of the year.. it really varies from place to place. I don’t get paid at my church but I never expected to be. I’m very happy to just be a part of our worship team.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

It's been helpful to me to hear all of your responses and be reminded that money's not everything. The song will be "I Don't Feel No Ways Tired" (originally by James Cleveland) with multiple vocalists and it sounds like it will be a blast!

Remember that the sound Man/People are probably volunteers that know just enough to get the job done, so be nice to them and do as they would like. They may get flustered if you try to change too much.

When I showed up to my first play with a new group I knew it was ampless through inears the sound man said, "Plug your bass in there." points to a ratty Behringer DI box. I say, "I brought my own DI I will use, if that is ok?" He says, "What is a DI?" He just knew it as the box you plug into. "Sure if it is better than what we have."
He is a great guy, just not up on the lingo and more technical stuff but gets the job done because no one else wants to do it.

Or you may get the youngster that just read a book or a new article on the internet. Do not fight with him ether.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Q: Does Church music pay?

A: Is the Pope Polish? No wait......

 

[mikewalker]

In today's world, you are lucky if it's not "PAY TO PLAY"...

That said, the budget for some of the amazing high-tech church systems I have seen ( and the engineers to run them!) is astronomical. But then again, high quality, high pressure sound and multimedia plays a vital role in whole function of the venue...