Contracts for church gigs?

[kreig-kitts]

PS: I’d forward them the email and give them a graceful exit opportunity, such as “If you believe there was a mistake in the original list…” It seems like you’re itching for a chance to hit the red self-destruct button on this gig and it seems wiser to keep things pleasant. If they come back next year you can turn the gig down at the start.

[kay-lister]

David,

I’d turn and run and NOT look back. If you allow them to treat you like this now, they will do it again. Stand your ground my friend! You are a professional and should be treated like one.

An ulcer is NOT worth $750.00! Your reputation preceeds you and this will not make or break you.

I would send them back their original e-mail with the dates and let them know that if there have been changes then a new contract would have to be considered IF they indeed want you at all since they seem to be questioning your integrity both professionally and as an individual. I agree, this could be your out – if so . . . TAKE IT!!!

Kay

[Sylvia]

David knows his own situation better than anyone, but I would consider it a L&L (live and learn) experience.

I’m surprised it seems there was no invoice involved. I don’t use a contract, but organizations require paperwork like an invoice, which I give them.

If I were in this situation, I would call it a L&L, email them that there seems to be a miscommunication, and suggest they contact another harpist (and give them a list). (They might have to use several different harpists, and they’d see that you are the best!)

That way, I would be at peace, and they wouldn’t think I was gritchy and hard to work with….and they’d think that I was prosperous enough that I really didn’t need their dirty old money.

[jimmy-h]

What kind of church has that kind of budget? Live exotic animals? Seriously?

I think the phone call and email game should end. Go see them in person, even if you end up having to say “thank you but no thanks”. It sounds like they are very disorganized and a calm face to face meeting would help. Bring a contract that you can edit or add stuff into just in case it goes well.

Next year, politely warn every harpist you know to be very wary. Also, it might decrease the stress if several harpists are taking turns at that disaster. Besides, I would think several harpists would be a better show than a Kangaroo and big snake and what not…

[Sid Humphreys]

Jimmy, Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX does shows like this every year. I’ve seen camels, peacocks, horses, etc. on stage for the birth of Jesus. Pyrotechnics, angles flying across the 1700 person sanctuary. I missed the year they had elephants!
David, Forward them their own email and back out. Kay is right. $750 isn’t worth it!

[lyn-boundy]

So tempting to get into the whole ‘so that’s where those tax exempt donations go!’ thing but I’ll try to resist.

If any more proof were needed about the ineptitude of these people it’s that they require you to show them their own correspondence. However, if you have copies of any of this then I would send it back to them with an explanation that you are a professional performer and would prefer to work with professional people; as others have already said, $750 is no compensation for an ulcer or a stress-filled Christmas so I’d say that, if you can afford it, you’ll be better off dumping these people post-haste. Make sure you keep copies of their letters and emails and this thread for future reference (because there will come a time in future years when you wonder if you over-reacted and whether it might be worth giving them the benefit of the doubt and another try).

Xmas is getting close but I guess there’s always a chance that when other organisations hear you are free they may still try to snap you up and it might be worth sending out emails to those organisations you turned down if you still have their details. I hope that will happen but if not you’ll probably still be better off if you just put this whole ridiculous incident behind you, learn from it re future contracts and deposits and have a happy and stress-free Xmas. I’d also suggest that on the date of the ‘extravaganza’ you plan something with your family that you will all enjoy – that way you won’t be sitting around thinking about the gig and the payment you are missing.

[jimmy-h]

Wow sid, I had no idea this was a thing until this thread.

[Stephanie]

Honestly, I think that even if you still take the gig-the weeks of prepping, rehearsing and performing will be totally overshadowed with anger, stress and all types of negative feelings. It may even overshadow into your other gigs and perhaps ruin your whole Christmas/Holiday. Whenever I am in a situation where I have been wronged and the ones that are doing me wrong (especially ones that are relentless and play games) I would weigh all the pros and cons and make a decision on how this will affect me personally, my family (because if I am stressed to a certain degree my family notices because I get quite crabby, mean to almost bitterness and they would rather not even deal with me let alone talk to me) my job ect.
Personally, if I was in this situation and with the e-mail games they are playing I would drop it. And I wouldn’t do it in a negative way either because I believe that if one is wronged, and responds back negatively it can make them look like the bad person too. If you respond back positively it will expose them as jerks and maybe *maybe* they will realize how horrible they have been to you.
I would write a very nice e-mail saying, after much consideration and how many times the project has changed directions, you are unable to commit to this project due to scheduling (or whatever) and have to decline. I would even thank them for contacting you and yes, I would wish them the best and that they have a successful program. I would not tell them that you will warn other harpists about them, if that is something you want to do, I would do it quietly. I know that money is money, but in the end, the fee they quoted is just not enough to take the gig that will stress you and those around you. Make a note in the future not to deal with them (unless they have different management) and who knows what a difference a year will make; they may have their act together. You never know! This will also open your schedule up for more gigs and even enjoy your Christmas/Holiday with your friends and family.
Good luck with everything!!! Sometimes it’s best to just say “no” to a gig-it’s really hard to do so, but in the end you have to do what you have to do to maintain your health and happiness.

PS-Unless I know the church well, I do require them to sign a contract.

[David Ice]

I’ve not heard a word back from the Associate Minister of Music for this church as of today. A couple of friends have said I was over-reacting, but others agree with me. I do have at least one replacement gig in the wings that just came up that would get me out of at least 2 “services” for this church. And I’m actively trying to find more gigs–and usually I do get a few panicked calls in November from organizations who either forgot to hire a harpist for things like CEREMONY OF CAROLS or NUTCRACKER. (I once got a call with 90 minutes warning to come play the whole NUTCRACKER ballet because they forgot to get a harp!)

And yes, this church spends the BIG BUCKS on this presentation–17 performances with 3000 audience seating per performance. Last year I wound up about 6 feet from a Bengal tiger during every show! But you’d think with all this professional staging, effects, flying angels, live animals, click tracks, lipsyncing on some vocals, etc. that they could get their act together on this!

[Sid Humphreys]

LOL , I remember this performance David! I had forgotten about the tiger last year!!

[David Ice]

Well, here’s the latest. Just got an email from them. Now they want me to ADD two performances. Sheesh…..I guess they have some VIPs coming and they want the harp to add class. Go figure. Ugggghhhh and grrrrrrrrr……..

[Alison]

I don’t think my harp nerves would tolerate a man-eating cat so close, nor it’s breath – that’s too difficult – do you have a facecious get-out clause (children /animals).

[Philippa mcauliffe]

Payment in advance I hope – well before a note is played. I am a bit confused about why a “church” is putting on a circus. Do the 3000×17 members of the audience make them a profit to give to the less fortunate or is this a loss making show? I dont think I could play anything if I thought a tiger might be about to get out next door to me!

[Sylvia]

The poor tiger must be scared with all the people and noise around him. I wonder if the SPCA should be notified.

[David Ice]

I just wanted to update everybody on things. I simply cannot believe it. I got an email this morning that the music was available for download, and that I was “expected” at a rehearsal tomorrow at 2. This rehearsal was NOT scheduled earlier! And after being told that the new orchestrations had no harp parts……out of TWENTY TWO songs there are published (from the publisher–not last minute additions) fully TWENTY, yes 20, harp parts!!!!! THEY LIED TO ME!!!!!!!!! These were there all along. But I was told there was nothing for me to play! They are spending at least 300K on this production, so I just don’t get it. My book is now almost 100 pages of music and I have 26 hours to prepare what allegedly didn’t exist, and after I was told I wasn’t needed. I honestly don’t know what to think or feel. It’s an awful feeling to play where you’re clearly not wanted….but now this!? 20 songs? 100 pages???

[Author]

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