 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinet713
Date: 2004-12-14 13:22
Here is the situation....a couple weeks ago, a lady in the community introduced me to her music director at her church. I attended one service there and was told that they were putting on a big Christmas musical and they could use another clarinet player. I was hesitant to accept the offer because the weekend of the performance was quite busy and I had another solo performance later that day having nothing to do with the church but the lady who introduced me assured me that it would pay well so I decided to take the gig. I showed up for the one rehearsal and dress rehearsal, practiced my music, and was there for the 2 performances. At the last performance, the music director gave checks to those who did not play regularly in the church orchestra, but I didn't get one and I am not a regular. What would you do in this situation? Should I ask the director about this or just let it go?
Thanks in advance...
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Author: CPW
Date: 2004-12-14 13:37
Speak up.
squeak up
Be "mad as h--l and not gonna take it anymore."
and remember: NO GOOD DEAD EVER GOES UNPUNISHED
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2004-12-14 13:40
CPW wrote:
> and remember: NO GOOD DEAD EVER GOES UNPUNISHED
That goes for the live ones, too ... 
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Author: hans
Date: 2004-12-14 13:44
I would ask the director; tell him/her that you understood from the lady who introduced you that it was a paying job.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2004-12-14 13:48
He's a professional and the policy apparently is to pay those who are not church members or church regulars. It's probably just an oversight. Give him a call at his office at the church during regular hours. Explain how you were invited and what you were promised. As a former church staffer I can tell you they will pay you as promised. These types of things sometimes happen, especially when putting on a big production. If you don't call him and talk to him, he won't ever notice he didn't notice he forgot your check. If the woman spoke out of turn and didn't have the authority to hire musicians, he'll take it up with her--but you will be paid. If not, call the pastor. Don't let it drop. When churches hire musicians it is a business deal and not a charity.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-12-14 15:51
I would threaten to stand up during the middle of the next church service and play the "Till Eulenspiegel" excerpt on Eb clarinet unless I got paid. Subtlety is wasted on most people.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2004-12-14 19:53
Hi clarinet713:
You wrote:
"I attended one service there and was told that they were putting on a big Christmas musical and they could use another clarinet player."
Sounds like you've been "used," so next time make sure you ask whether you'll be paid for the gig before accepting the work.
We must all learn from our early mistakes. I'd love to get back some of the money for all the gigs I did, thinking I was going to get the paid without asking for it.
Get the business part of making music straight, before playing that beautiful music.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-12-14 20:18
It very well could be an honest mistake by the music director, so politely ask.
If not...
It's the Holiday Season.
Consider it a gift that you've now given...GBK
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Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2004-12-14 20:49
I am consistently amazed by the number of people that in any given situation automatically assume that someone is trying to pull a fast one rather than it being a simple mistake or human error. Going on the attack does very little except make a situation more unpleasant than it need be for everyone concerned.
Good advice has already been given. Call the music director/minister, explain the situation and I fully imagine that you’ll get your check in short order.
Best
RW
Best
Rick
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-12-14 22:27
"denn die Todten reiten schnell..."
(because the dead[ones] ride quickly[fast]...) ???
Never heard this one before, an idiom(?), how does it apply to this thread?
Just curious.
- ron b -
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Author: idahofats
Date: 2004-12-14 23:22
Ron:
Just my off-the-wall sense of humor, in reply to Mark C.'s post on dead vs. live. Your translation is fine, although in "Dracula" the poetry is rendered as: "For the dead drive fast." Don't know if the proverb goes any farther back than Stoker, and the relation to the thread was only intended as a joke.
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Author: psychotic lil clarinet girl (don't as
Date: 2004-12-14 23:53
what would you do for a klondike bar?
LOL! that's what I thought of when I read the title...
Simply explain that part of your income depends on how many gigs you get... And that you have taxes and bills like everyone else in the world... I mean, if you played, you did your job... So, what is holding you back from asking for money well earned? That would be like selling one of your clarinets, but not getting money for it because you gave the clarinet before you got the money... Stand up for yourself, and kindly explain that you need to eat too...
Post Edited (2004-12-14 23:54)
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2004-12-15 01:33
You attended a service....that DOES change things a bit I suppose.
At what point are you then a parishioner and not a hiree?
King Solomon would probably suggest that you get half of the pay (remember the dispute over parentage of a baby the adjudicated?)
Judge Judy would tell them to pay you
Dr Phil would tell you to stop whining
And the Supreme court would declare you president.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Pam H.
Date: 2004-12-15 01:51
As someone who regularly plays in a church orchestra without pay (quite willingly I might add), I understand the situation. We do quite elaborate Christmas concerts and often hire a few extra players to round out the orchestra.
I would speak to the director and let him/her know that you were under the impression that you would be paid. It could be an oversight. If you approach him in a reasonable manner it would do better for you than acting indignant. If things work out well, you may get an ongoing "paying gig" at least for their larger events.
Worst case, if you are not paid, live and learn and get an agreement up front next time as to what is expected and what the pay will be.
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Author: Pappy
Date: 2004-12-15 14:02
I play in our church orchestra and we regularly have to hire fill ins (violas and oboe's for some reason.....and Bass). They are always paid union scale. Sometimes our orchestra administrator makes a mistake and misses somebody. She happily and apologetically corrects it asap. I'd be very surprised if your situation is much different.
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