Im not putting my name and youll see why, just need to know Im a pro player, not young not old, get reasonable gigs and album sales so cant be too bad. Lately Im having fees beaten down and then I find out the clubs are giving the money away. Like a few weeks back I played a club who had beaten my fee down nearly 30 pounds and when I got there in the notices they say they have sent nearly a grand to charity this year from leftover money after they payed the organists. Lots of clapping. Im seriously getting to the point Ill give up playing. Mortgage to pay and mouths to feed. Doesnt charity begin at home? Is this happening to other pros? Im all for charity but not when its my living wage is going to pay for it. If we pros cant make ends meet well give up and then lose the goose that lays the golden charity egg. If they pay me what I asked and then theres some left over thats there business fair and square. But a grand leftover when theyve beaten me down 30 pounds. It doesnt feel right.
OrganFax Community » General Discussions
Organ clubs or charity clubs
(5 posts)-
Posted 1 year ago #
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You have my sympathy.
This sort of thing leaves a bitter taste. My personal view is that organists should be paid their full worth. If you walk into sainsburys when you get to the checkout, you don't offer them £30 less do you!So why should someone who loads lots of valuable enquipment into a van, drives MILES to get to a show, sets up, plays a 2 hour show and then loads the van back up and drives home LATE AT NIGHT be subjected to this.
If you call for a taxi late at night, you pay more, and yet these people expect you to drive very late home and at fees in some cases from £80!!
Just downright wrong.I'm sure at this point clubs will jump in and defend themselves, but i feel sorry for this person, specially if someone is expected to make a living at this. Times are changing and I hope clubs do if this is really what is happening.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I know I am not alone when I say that I am very angry at the sheer waste of money that goes on absolutely stupid projects and those that should be funded are overlooked!
Sadman`s case is one example.
I nearly threw a brick at my tele when I heard recently reported that Nick Clegg had gone to the United Nations in New York and given goodness knows how much money to help underdeveloped countries-its OUR money-yours and mine and he has NO right(he wasn`t elected anyway-he got the deputy leadership by default) to be giving it away without our permission. If things continue the way they are, WE will soon be an underdeveloped country-it s overflowing now with wasters and scoundrels!
Charity begins at home-and besides that many so called charities are riddled with corruption-so is sport-I ve no time for ANY of it.
I give, as I have always done, privately-it s no one else s business and I definately won t be levered into it by the likes of Terry Wogan-stinking rich asking others less well off to contribute to this giant gravy train!
On the other hand,communism is full of corruption too-I know, I went to Russia a few years ago and saw 98% of the people wretched-living in poverty and 2% in the life of luxury!
That s why I love to see and hear our organists-they are truly dedicated and talented people who deserve to rewarded suitably-not fobbed off as an insignificant neccessity!Settle down now dear-you ll give yourself a nose bleed!
Amen,
Jennifer KerseyPosted 1 year ago # -
Very good points, folks. I have often been reminded by both Joe Public/committees and players alike that money raised from memberships etc is essentially for the purpose of staging good entertainment etc - not to replace a collecting box.... It always seems odd to me that we have this 'do gooding' obsession where charity is concerned....
As was poibted out to me recently, many of the money going to the so called 'big guys' goes on admin costs and nothing else.... That said, I love taking part in events for certain causes - such as the annual esophageal cancer concert that I do in Thatcham, Berks (next one on Saturday 9th October). Over 10 years, we have raised enough money for the NHS to buy just what kit they need and are now helping the Surgeon (Tom Dehn) to take his team to India to save lives. Plus - I get paid, have a great time and hopefully provide some nice entertainment for the crowd...
WHY - do I keep hearing of clubs shutting (just because they want to...) and then giving the money straight to charity and refusing to let it go to anyone planning to try and resurrect the shows at that area/venue all through 'pride'/'wanting to be the one to go down with the ship' and all that....
Rant over - but it breaks my heart to think that many of the clubs are having/choosing to shut.... Let's do what we can to stem the tide and keep live music to the fore!
Chris
Posted 1 year ago # -
I have read with interest the above threads, and all points are valid. As several of you know I am the Chairman of, incomparison to many, a relatively small club. We operate on a very small budget. For a successful future we have to watch the finances very closely. Our biggest annual expenditure is that of the visiting artists. Being the Concert Secretary as well I spend a great deal of time each year striking a balance between booking the more popular artists that will guarantee a good house and booking artists that will keep the annual fee costs within budget.
Oh how I would love to present a charity with some money raised by the club, but it certainly wouldn't be from the residue of any "profit" created by beating the artist's fee down when booking him/her.
If we were to ever consider raising money for charity it would be a totally seperate event from the normal activities of the club. I do think that the work the committee undertakes presently is a form of charity. All the hard work they do is voluntary, it is all done to benefit other people but it isn't just a one off. Their commitment is week in, week out, year in year out! So yes, maybe charity does begin at home
Believe it of not, even with a full house, it is a rarety for us to cover the cost of the artist on the night. Even with a well supported raffle and profits from the refreshments! We rely on the attendance of our social evenings to make up the financial shortfall. I do understand a clubs need to try and negotiate an artist's fees but both parties need to be understanding of each others predicaments.
One of the things I think clubs may need to look at and I say this tongue in cheek is that of the door prices they charge. Do the clubs actually devalue the artists by having a too lower door price in fear of frightening people away?
It seems this isnt a problem for bigger clubs if they are able to "give away" money at the end of the year. I think with careful management and realistic door prices both clubs and artists can still work in harmony with each other. Otherwise I fear that a distrust between the two parties regarding "fair" fees may develop and that would be dreadful for everyone.In summary I think we all have to be honest with each other to forge the continued success of both clubs and artists.
Phil.
Posted 1 year ago #
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