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To highjack the thread a little bit, while in college, I was in a church choir led by college students. I practiced for about 6 weeks on guitar to play "Amazing Grace",, to a different tune. We sang the song to the tune of "The House of the Rising Sun"; we had a choir director by Wednesday.
Moral of above true story, know your audience, some music works with one generation, but not with others.
Moral of above true story, know your audience, some music works with one generation, but not with others.
My wife plays piano for a church down the street, accompanies the choir, etc. She gets $900 a month, for 2 services plus one evening rehearsal a week. I occasionally (like once a month) play for the contemporary band. I should be getting paid, but I view it as part of her pay - the other members of the band are not getting paid, and, for example, the drummer is good, a professional. So I would feel bad asking for pay if he's not getting anything. That said, if she doesn't get a raise in the next year, I'll probably play for them less, especially if I get busy. Also - occasional musicians that sit in like the OP is doing usually get $50-100 at that church at least. We're not members, but it's walking distance from our house, so it's convenient.
Usually not. It's pretty much an "all or nothing" deal no matter which way it goes.
Ouch, my toe might have bumped up against a line, and I ain't bowling.
Take the money and the salvation and run buddy! Haha To your question, I play weekly for free but we're under 200 in attendance at my church.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.
I ran a fund raising enterprise for a church. When we had trade work, we paid the going rate. We had no difficulties getting the work done. If someone offered to donate, we would provide a letter for in kind donatations.
Some contributors asked about deducting costs. I say talk to some one who does taxes for entintaners. If you earn more than $400, then uncle Sam wants you to fill out a 1040 sch c. And an SE. It is my understanding you expense up to 2500, for a purchase. Yes you can expense off that 2400 bass. And $1500 amp. Make sure you read the fine print, because most musicians are hobby musicians.
Some contributors asked about deducting costs. I say talk to some one who does taxes for entintaners. If you earn more than $400, then uncle Sam wants you to fill out a 1040 sch c. And an SE. It is my understanding you expense up to 2500, for a purchase. Yes you can expense off that 2400 bass. And $1500 amp. Make sure you read the fine print, because most musicians are hobby musicians.
One thing I always found interesting…
The few times I did get paid for music at religious services were the times I neither expected to be paid nor asked to be.
For the record I have never asked to be paid for a religious service, although there was one time I took a musical director job with a church and was told that I would be paid, although I never was.
When I mentioned I’ d been managing the choir and music program for half a year but had yet to see any promised checks to one congregant at that particular church who was on some sort of board there, the person looked at me with a shocked expression and said that while I would be paid, it was “understood” in that church that the money would immediately be given back to the church as a donation. “It’s the way it’s always been done here,” he told me. “No parishioner ever accepts money from the church.”
When I pointed out I wasn’t a member of the congregation, he just looked at me blankly, as though he was confused by what I just said, and then did an about face and walked away.
That was definitely a weird moment for me trying to parse his “would be paid” but wouldn’t be paid dialectic.
Never saw a dime from that engagement.
The few times I did get paid for music at religious services were the times I neither expected to be paid nor asked to be.
For the record I have never asked to be paid for a religious service, although there was one time I took a musical director job with a church and was told that I would be paid, although I never was.
When I mentioned I’ d been managing the choir and music program for half a year but had yet to see any promised checks to one congregant at that particular church who was on some sort of board there, the person looked at me with a shocked expression and said that while I would be paid, it was “understood” in that church that the money would immediately be given back to the church as a donation. “It’s the way it’s always been done here,” he told me. “No parishioner ever accepts money from the church.”
When I pointed out I wasn’t a member of the congregation, he just looked at me blankly, as though he was confused by what I just said, and then did an about face and walked away.
That was definitely a weird moment for me trying to parse his “would be paid” but wouldn’t be paid dialectic.
Never saw a dime from that engagement.
This was better when I first misread it as "the porno gear the church owns."
Depends the church. My church does not but I still play there once a month. Another church I play at does and I play there on my off days from my church. Each church is different.
As far as a backline goes, it's best to ask all the details before you take the gig. Sometimes they do but other times not. A lot of times, you go direct into a DI and you use an in-ear monitor system like Aviom. Get the deets first.
Didn’t have to. They shut down their music program and went back just an organist shortly after that.
I didn’t really want the money. (Good thing too!) They were the ones who brought up paying me in the first place. I hadn’t expected anything from them until they offered. But I don’t like leaving loose ends, which is mostly why I asked them what was up.
If they said they couldn’t honor their commitment for some good reason, I would have been good with that. But I didn’t expect to be told, in so many words, that they never honored them - and it was “just because.”
Huh? I did not see that one coming at all.
I get a series of envelopes from my church. Every time I go and play, I write a check and put it in the envelope, then deposit it in a wicker basket at the church.
Makes it real simple. No hassles for invoicing, trying to get paid, and getting stiffed. No surprises of calculating expenses for a gig with the sudden realization that I unexpectedly loss money on the gig.
Makes it real simple. No hassles for invoicing, trying to get paid, and getting stiffed. No surprises of calculating expenses for a gig with the sudden realization that I unexpectedly loss money on the gig.
Huh? I did not see that one coming at all.
I guess I take money matters too seriously, because I'd have walked away from that place.
My parents used to get in huge arguments over this stuff when I was growing up, because the church took advantage of my dad's services & never paid him, and we were pretty poor.
RE: the OP's question
Some claim they'll pay you & then renege.
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My wife's nephew. He's the AV guy for his church, that's how he gets paid. Mixes house every Sunday, an early day every week, plays sometimes. Gotta be a six-figure budget for all that bling. He's really talented. Has a home studio and teaches and produces a lot of regional talent.
His uncle, (former) choir director and organist in a neighboring state, got sh*tcanned in his church's "cultural revolution." They went from Old School (organ+ choir) to Contemporary (giant video monitors and rock band.)
I play every Sunday at my church. For me, it's worship and helping others worship as well. Pay? Not the right question in my opinion, but that's just my opinion on the matter. If you want to make money as a musician I suggest you look for other venues.
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