Performers' Fees

a work of mine is to be performed, duration of about 8mins. Now I have to bargain on how much to give the one that is performing it for me. That begs the question in general: How much are you offering (as a composer) or earning (as a performer) for performing a work?

In my case the man playing is not a conservatory student anymore. I imagine students tend to work more pro bono to give themselves a change to step into the spotlight and maybe therefore a willing to earn less money.

The way I'd do it is percentage of door, split evenly between the music people from whatever's left from the pot after the location gets its cut -- if it's a free or low-fee concert, I'd expect nothing and be happy with the sub-$20 i'd be handed from donations.

The composer collective I'm in has been paying soloists about $200 to learn maybe 20 minutes of music. Granted, we typically hire recent graduates from the school and they give us a discounted rate. We paid about $3000 for a well-established Pierrot ensemble to learn (and rehearse twice with each composer) roughly an hour of music. So pricing is going to depend on how well-established your performers are and what type of relationship you have with them. When I ask someone to perform a piece and they attend my school, typically the chance to get out and play and gain experience will result in the person doing it for free, or I may offer to buy dinner :P

If your performer is a pro, he may have a standard rate for performances. You will need to factor in any expenses (travel) he may need as well.

If your performer is a pro, he may have a standard rate for performances. You will need to factor in any expenses (travel) he may need as well.

Werd.

That's what I expect.

Jrcramer, pay what you think the performer is worth. I assume this guy is pro? If not, the door percentage is a good alternative.

If the guy is pro- for a, say, 8 minute piece for me a trumpet player:

+ if it's easy, I'll take as little as $50 if I don't have to travel at all (if other guys are being paid more, though, you're not getting my services again if I find out. So keep that in mind in deciding how easy something is). I'd consider it doing you a partial favor, because $50 isn't really proper payment for a gig for a pro. Anything less and I'd tell you to keep your money (or buy me dinner :P) and simply do it as a favor.

+ If it's hard, I'd expect no less than $100 (not including travel expenses) for 8 minutes of hard. For that you'd also get one rehearsal and a soundcheck. Any more than that and I'd get very upset at you unless you're willing to pay for my rehearsal time.

If you think that's a lot, keep in mind that even semi-pros like myself take music and TAKE CARE OF IT so that, unlike typical university musicians, one rehearsal of putting it together and marking details are all it takes to produce a good performance. Also keep in mind what it is that you're paying for: experience, ability and musicianship. If you don't pay for it, don't have high expectations.

On the other hand, don't be afraid to blacklist people you hire who end up doing a job that someone you WOULDN'T pay could do, if you know what I'm saying. Do pay them, of course: a contract is a contract.

Good luck!

[edit]Oh, dang, just read that. *high 5 Boston* Dinner ftw. ;D

I don't really know 'cause I'm a kid... all I know is that 200 an hour is pretty typical :P and in orchestra? I made 200 dollars for 75 minutes of music... that's pretty much it.