[rodgersorgan] Booking experiences


Hello group,

I've had two things like this happen.  I had been playing for most of the 
weddings and funerals at a large Catholic parish where I was not organist.  
There was an old nun who played for some of the masses, but really (I was 
told, anyway) couldn't do much more than play a few hymns.

I'd been called at the last minute to play a wedding there as the wedding 
party was appalled at the "music" she was going to provide.  The rector liked 
what he heard that night and at the wedding, so gave me referrals when more 
weddings were booked.

Received a phone call from a bride-to-be.  She and her fiancee lived 1,800 
miles away, but were getting married in her parents parish church.  She told 
me exactly what she wanted in the way of music (all good) and requested that 
I get a trumpet player to play the processional and recessional and anything 
else we might want to do.  I gave her a price for both of us and contacted a 
symphony player to help me out.

Didn't hear anything more from her, so called the priest at the church about 
a rehearsal time.  He was stunned.  Said the bride told him I wanted too much 
money so they were going to use recordings.  I felt obligated to pay the 
trumpet player, so was out $150.

A similiar thing happened at another church where I didn't usually play.  
After that happening I went to the American Federation of Musician's local 
and joined so I could offer a UNION CONTRACT where I didn't know the people.

The church where I was organist had a "fee schedule".  So much for an 
organist at the wedding, so much for rehearsal, rehersing with EACH soloist, 
etc.  The church collected the money for the total deal, then paid me my 
share.  The people paying for the wedding could write it off as a "donation 
to the church".

David E. Dillon
Tulsa, OK
New Guide to Playing MIDI Voices...with Music you can play in church.  See 
Playing MIDI Live at the Organ at Frog Music Press!

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