The fourth of July is here and I want to wish everyone a blessed and safe holiday. But most of all we should remember what we are celebrating and our soldiers that put their lives on the line for the freedom we enjoy in this great land in which we live. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for the opportunities and freedoms I get to enjoy living
in America.
Last month we established the right to expect compensation for being asked to come and do a concert. So now let’s cover how to go about talking about the expenses. We want to start by asking if they have a budget set up to cover the expenses of an out of town group. If they do ask for a dollar amount or they will probably tell you. If they do not have a budget then ask the membership count of the church. This can help you negotiate a little better if you are aware of the amount of people that will be there at the concert. Then discuss what they usually do and let them know your expenses that will be involved in the trip to their location. You both have the option to negotiate back and forth until both sides are happy. You can decide on a Love Offering, a Flat Fee, percentage if there are ticket sales, or a smaller Flat Fee and a Love
Offering. The choice is up to the two people booking the concert.
Now, after you have reached an agreement, as soon as possible sit down and send a confirmation letter to that person. Spell out all the details of the agreement and send it to the person that booked you. You keep a copy and send them two copies. One is for him/her to sign and date and then send back to you. The second copy is for them to keep as a reference. Never use the word contract! That scares people sometimes. Always say agreement because that really is what you are sending them. It tells them what you agreed on for the concert. That will stop a lot of confusion. If they have signed it that means they are in agreement and take the signed copy with you to the concert. If there is some confusion just present them with the signed paper and that will clear up any problem.
Always take time to write a thank you note to the person that booked you. Hand written is best if you have the time. Always stress the positive things that you enjoyed about your visit with them. Make sure that when they think of your group/soloist that they have only pleasant thoughts come to mind. You will get invited back if you leave a good experience for them to remember.
I want to add a quick side note. I will be teaching at Dr. Charles Novell’s Christian Music Conference at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, July 11th through 17th. I would like to invite everyone to experience this great school. I started as a student at this school and I am very thankful God led me to this school. I am very excited to be going back as a staff member and hope to meet many of you there for a great learning experience and an unbelievable time of worship. You will not believe what a memorable time you will have there. I spent four wonderful summers at this music camp and I still stay in touch with many of the friends I made there. So come and be a part of this awesome experience.
Contact the school office or me for information. It’s still not to late to sign up. Tell them you saw the information in my article. My email is .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and phone is (615) 886-7082. For the CMC office call Barbara or Charles Novell at (513) 874-8244.
Until next month, as always, keep singing His praises!
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 06/30/2004
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Category: Monthly ArticlesThe Vocal Coach
Comments: 1
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I really enjoyed this article. It is funny how God works, our groups manager and I were talking about this very topic today. We have experienced a situation recently where the church called and canceled the concert because they got their dates mixed up. That would have been fine only that they called 2 days before. How do you re-book in two days?!? Thanks for the advice.
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