Classical_Music_Development

[Dadiva]

I'm starting this topic in response to the questions I get on a daily basis from younger musicians and singers (mostly singers since i am a singer) about how to get jobs performing in Trinidad. Its pretty hard to be considered as a professional musician in our little country, because most people consider music to be a hobby - and if you love doing something then you dont need to be paid for doing it right? WRONG!!!

Music lessons are expensive - so if you've been investing your dollars in music lessons then you do have the right to demand (and i do mean demand) to be reimbursed for performing.

So here's my two cents - i can only relate my experience and say what worked and what didnt ;)

Firstly - in order for people to even think of asking you to perform, they must have heard you before hand, so it's always a good idea to join a choir or orchestra. Be brave and compete for any solos that may be up for grabs and dont be discouraged even if you get turned down the first couple of times - I was . Choirs especially tend to have some kind of heirarchy in place where it comes to soloists, but no one will know that you even want to do a solo unless you take the bull by the horns and offer yourself ;)

Most of my jobs came from people who had heard me sing at church or at a marionettes show. Performing in a group on a regular basis is a very good learning tool as well, because every performer needs to get over some level of nervousness when performing in front of an audience.

Secondly - learn from other soloists. Dont be intimidated by others who are better than you. Listening and watching them is the only way that you will improve your own performing skills. Singers especially should be open to as much constructive criticism as possible. If someone mentions a fault DO NOT BE OFFENDED and dismiss it out of hand. Someone who will tell you your weaknesses in an honest and open way is INVALUABLE because you need to be aware that once you are performing in front of people, they are judging you whether they tell you or not.

Thirdly - learn the wedding & funeral repertoire. Most professional gigs for classical musicians in Trinidad are (sadly) weddings and funerals with the odd corporate function or anniversary party. Invaluable to your repertoire would be an Ave Maria or two, Panis Angelicus, Veni Creator and The Holy City (Jerusalem). LEARN THEM because they are staples that are always requested. Aside from the religious staples, you'll need to know a few love songs and religious songs that you can whip out at the drop of a hat. Its also a good idea to get a few backup tracks on CD for functions where they either dont want to hire an accompanist, may not be able to get one, or there's no piano. I personally prefer a live accompanist, but you may prefer a prerecorded track.

Also - find out the going function rate for soloists. When i first began singing at weddings i used to charge around $300 - that was in 1999. Its now 2007. Times have changed. I now charge anywhere between $1500 and $1000 (less for friends and family) for weddings, funerals and anniversary parties with an extra charge if they want me to learn a new song.

For Corporate Functions i charge anywhere between $2000 and $5000. You can add a charge for travelling expenses if the wedding is going to be held at an inconvenient distance eg. Toco or Tobago. I know that some soloists charge extra for rehearsals. Some performers rather to charge per song, although my personal opinion is that once i'm there - i'm there. I'll still have to be at the wedding early and leave at the end, so whether i sing 5 songs or 1, its still 2 hours of my life.

Lastly - a note on the dreaded freebie. Be discriminating as to who you give free performances to. Use your judgement on this one - if the performance is for charity, if its for family etc. then you can consider a discounted fee or a freebie. If the performance will raise your visibility level and you think it may lead to more jobs eg. a tv appearance then you may also lower or drop your price. But trust me when i tell you, that people do respect you more when you demand what you're worth. Its been my experience that when people know that they are paying you for a service, they are more respectful of your time and talent. If they're getting you for free, then they are likely to think that you maybe have nothing better to do - sad... but true.

One gig you should NEVER give as a freebie - a performance for a corporate function. They wouldnt hire an accountant or florist and expect them to do their job for free so DO NOT DROP YOUR PRICE!! It sets a bad precedent, especially since we all know the outrageous fees they pay soca artistes at carnival time for a 15 minute wine & jam at the employee carnival party... i do feel very strongly about that ;)

Remember that a free gig is a waste of your time unless it helps your career, is for someone you love or in aid of something you care about.


Anyone have anything further to add?

[steelman]

tanks for the insight. i never know what i'm supposed to charge people

[cgordon]

You are absolutely correct. Half of these soca artists can't even call themselves musicians but they get paid a ridiculous amount of money for the what I think is utter nonsense. It's not that I don't like soca or calypso, but the artform is lacking musicality. Mozart would turn in his grave at the stuff we call "music" nowadays! If you're a true musician, then let people know how much you love your art and how much you think it's worth.

[ashley melanie]

Cgordon, I totally agree with you. Almost every soca song is a "put ah rag in d air, wave it like yuh jus doh care". I mean come on! It does not make any sense at all. What happened to the beautiful melody and harmony there was in music? :

[Maria]

I agree that our soca artistes are, for the most part, lacking in musicality, yet we can’t exactly ‘diss’ the soca artistes if they get paid handsomely. We are the ‘instant coffee, fast food’ generation, we live for pleasure and party – have you noticed that we have lost the art of conversation?

Classical music encourages conversation as we have to use our ears, be quiet and listen. Think of a reggae or soca or hip hop concert – everyone is singing and dancing – what the audience is enjoying is the ‘party’, the dancing, waving, singing along! They do not even hear the lyrics so that the singer can sing a whole song, for four or five minutes, repeating the same lyrics over and over again – what the audience hears is the beat and a catchy chorus line.

We also never hear classical music on our local Radio or TV stations – and very few schools expose their students to classical music. Is it any wonder our youth now lack social skills and find work that requires perseverance, team-work and diligence both boring and tedious and want instant success – the very skills required for learning or just listening to classical music.