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Paying the Orchestra

Wed, 26 Dec 2007, 05:49 pm
funklizard88828 posts in thread
Just wondering what opinions are out there in regard to the payment (or lack of) for orchestra/band members involved in semi-professional, amateur and community productions of works of music theatre? In particular I am interested in whether others think there is cause for distinction to be made between different levels of instrumental ability (particularly within a single production - ie. student or 'formally untrained' musicians being paid differently [or not at all] in comparison to professional musicians brought in to 'boost ranks' or cover more difficult parts - as for example happens in school productions)? And whether distinction can be made by instrument? (as in my experience finding reliable string, harp, oboe, bassoon and 'woodwind' [multi-instrumental] players is quite difficult without serious funding). If one member of the orchestra is paid, do all the musicians deserve to be paid? If the Music Director is paid, should the musicians also be paid? All relevant thoughts, anecdotes, experiences, and opinions are welcome.

Payment / Non-Payment

Fri, 18 Jan 2008, 11:13 am
Walter Plinge
There is very defined line in the sand as far I am concerned. A show is either amateur or professional, in one case nobody gets paid in other everybody gets paid. All this toe dipping pro-am work confuses the issue. If you want to put a professional show together then get the money together first. Profit Share is an oxymoron. Decide which path you want to tread and stick to your guns. There are any number of "entrepreneurs" out there willing to fund a show on a pro-am basis simply because they can get the lions share of the work done for free and pocket the lions share of the profits. The fact of the matter should be pure and simple amateur or professional. That way we well end up an industry in Perth that can support its self and not rely on handouts and crumbs from pro-am productions. If you think I am out of touch with reality, then see how many bands earn good money around the traps playing covers.

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