I learned an important lesson this morning

[cjl]

The bad part is that the church and you now have a strained relationship over something that could and should not have been a problem.

I've played churches where I knew the people involved, the job was fine but the rehearsals were frustrating and the pay on the low side. I just migrated to other opportunities. And at Easter, there usually are plenty of choices.

The one I remember most was a church gig in college almost 40 yrs ago where I was told the money would be a certain amount. During rehearsal, someone came asking everyone individually if they were in the union. The result was that the union folk were paid that original amount and non-union were paid a good percentage less. I learned a lesson -- and never played there again.

-- Joe

[chuck in ny]

every business, it's the same thing. why are you providing trucking services for company A rather than company B, if you know the owner really well you can get a straight answer. people will not openly talk about these things.
the answer is, because they are payers. a great deal of people, aren't. if you want to avoid this sickening topic in life, you get a government or corporate job where you can expect the pay to regularly be there. many take this route. the rest of us scratch for money.
you try to get into a position where you don't have to tolerate deadbeats and can work stress free.
some people don't feel right about life unless they cheat someone. this is the reason people are reluctant to talk about the subject. it's a dark journey. when your kids come of age you can go over the matter in a gentle way when discussing careers.

[Trumpetmannj]

So you got ganked on your check. You should say hey, check is light. It's probably a maistake. If it's not, they are going to keep ganking you every time you play there. Monroe ct is a town with congregations that have money. sack it up instead of crying on the trumpet herald.

[razeontherock]

[Benge.nut]

Gigs come and go. Some pay great some don't. Sometimes you get stuck sometimes you don't.

Life's not always fair. Live and learn...now, on to the next job

[Brad361]

[Dieter Z]

I still don't know WHY the person who hired the OP has not VERY KINDLY ask why there was a difference to the usual pay. That may had solved the whole issue, or at least explained it.
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[Brad361]

[Steve A]

[Brad361]

[Dale Proctor]

When I'm contacted to play a gig, the questions I ask (usually in this order) are :

When is the gig (day and time)?
Where is the gig?
How many rehearsals (and where and when)?
What part will I be playing (and who are the other trumpet players)?
How much does it pay?
What's the dress?

Many times before I get to the question of payment, I have to decline the gig because of a conflict of some sort. Other times I decline it when find out how much (if any) they plan on paying.

The point of this is, always ask questions before you commit to a gig!
_________________
"Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away ." - Sir Thomas Beecham

[trickg]

I had the opposite thing happen to me this year - I was surprised to find MORE money in my check than I thought I was going to get paid.

There's a couple of ways this can be handled.

1.) Ask the music director about the fee, mention that it was less than what had been paid before, and see if there was a reason that it was light.

2.) Don't play there again.

I've got a great relationship with the director of the music program where I've been playing, so I'd have no issues with approaching him and asking about the fee. Likewise, I'm lucky enough to live in an area where there are a lot of playing opportunities around, and I could probably find another church to play at without much difficulty. In the last year or so I've been in the position where I'm actually turning down work.

FWIW, I don't see an issue with the OP bringing it up here on the forum. This is something out of what they would consider "ordinary," and they are seeking advice from those of us who maybe have experienced something similar. Color me crazy, but isn't that what this forum is here for?

Side note - someone mentioned "the late Capt. Kirk" - did he pass away?
_________________
Patrick Gleason
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"95% of the average 'weekend warrior's' problems will be solved by an additional 30 minutes of insightful practice." - PLP

[Brad361]

[trumpetchops]

[trumpetchops]

[dstdenis]

[qcm]

[Dieter Z]

[Brad361]

[trumpetchops]