musician's contract

[dot saunders]

I have played for a church for three years, starting salary $175.00 for three choirs, having rehersals twice a week, one day for the youth and two saturdays for the adults and two saturdays for the male chorus.
I was off seven weeks following a major surgery with any salary.  Another musician played for half of the service and then left to play at her church.  She was paid $140 a sunday.  Now starting this year the church will be cutting taxes, which I understand.  These will be paid quarterly. I was informed sunday that my April checks would be short in the amount of $300 for the quarterly taxes.  I have never gotten a contract from this church. They constantly say, "we're working on it".  I play for funerals without cost and this was my choice.  They have two revivals a year, Spring and Fall, that I get no play for, and I buy all my music and CDS.  Now my salary is $214 a sunday.  Also, when the minister goes out I go free of charge Please give me some feedback on this.

[under13]

So whats your question? I would suggest that you just aproach them and tell them what you want.

[LaylaMonroe]

1. What's your question?

2. Why are you waiting for the church to give you a contract?  Why don't you give them one?

[under13]

2. Why are you waiting for the church to give you a contract?  Why don't you give them one?

Thats kinda what I was thinking. Maybe in this situation he is an employee, as opposed to a business-man rendering his services.

Either way you have to let them know what you want or else you might never get it. The worst they can do is say no, but since it seems like you are a faithful musician, if whatever you ask for is reasonable, they will probaly give it to you.

Oh yeah, WELCOME TO LGM

[LaylaMonroe]

Thats kinda what I was thinking. Maybe in this situation he is an employee, as opposed to a business-man rendering his services.

Either way you have to let them know what you want or else you might never get it. The worst they can do is say no, but since it seems like you are a faithful musician, if whatever you ask for is reasonable, they will probaly give it to you.

Oh yeah, WELCOME TO LGM

Yeah, if they're taking out taxes for him, chances are, he's an employee and not an independent contractor.  But, he can still propose a contract and give them something to work from.  Dot Saunders, this will:

(a) show them what you are expecting
(b) give them a point from which to start
(c) show that you are about business
(d) get the ball rolling toward having a complete, signed contract.

[chevonee]

I have played for a church for three years, starting salary $175.00 for three choirs, having rehersals twice a week, one day for the youth and two saturdays for the adults and two saturdays for the male chorus.
I was off seven weeks following a major surgery with any salary.  Another musician played for half of the service and then left to play at her church.  She was paid $140 a sunday.  Now starting this year the church will be cutting taxes, which I understand.  These will be paid quarterly. I was informed sunday that my April checks would be short in the amount of $300 for the quarterly taxes.  I have never gotten a contract from this church. They constantly say, "we're working on it".  I play for funerals without cost and this was my choice.  They have two revivals a year, Spring and Fall, that I get no play for, and I buy all my music and CDS.  Now my salary is $214 a sunday.  Also, when the minister goes out I go free of charge Please give me some feedback on this.

In my opinion, if they're paying you what they promise to pay you then why would you need a contract. To me a contract is signed to assure that a person pays what they promise to pay you.

[LaylaMonroe]

Ooooh, Vonne... we need to have a conference, eh?

A contract protects all vested parties from FUTURE conflicts.  Things could be going well for years and years, and they could decide at the drop of a dime to cut your pay.  Then what?  A contract ensures that doesn't happen without penalty.

[Rjthakid]

My job is actually to review contracts, so I know a bit about them.


I wouldn't advocate you going down this road though.

It opens a few doors.

In order to get want you want, you have to ASK for what you want.  You can't just assume they'll KNOW.  They proposed a salary and you accepted.  You go with the minister when he preaches out.  You play for free for funerals and this was your choice.  You purchase the CD's of the services you play in.

If you haven't approached anyone about changing these things, then how could you expect them to change?

LaRue1212 is correct in that the purpose of a contract is to protect all parties, but all parties includes them.

In every (correct) contract, there is an effective date and in the T's and C's (Terms and Conditions) there are termination clauses.  Depending on the size of the ministry and whether or not they have legal representation, getting a contract drawn up could mean quite a few restrictions and demands on you.  You could decline to sign, but things COULD get messy.

In the final analysis, it's your choice.

But unless you've seen signs that they've been less than forthcoming with you, It's not necessary.