professionals

Recommended rates for engaging professional musicians

This agreement, reached between the Musicians' Union and Making Music in 2017 (updated in 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024) provides guideline minimum rates for groups when engaging freelance professional musicians. 

We are very pleased to have renewed our agreement with the Musicians’ Union which is now in its seventh year.  

The potential impact of Brexit on leisure-time music groups

For most of our groups the immediate impact of Brexit and the new trade agreement with the EU will be minimal. 

However, it will impact some activities for some groups over the course of 2021. We do now have some clarity in certain areas, but murkiness remains in others. This resource covers areas of potential impact that groups should be aware of – and tries to give information where we have it.

Template contract for working with a Music Director

This model contract has been developed to provide a starting point for negotiations when engaging a Music Director.

What fees do groups pay for professional musicians? Full survey results.

Making Music is frequently asked by members how much others pay the various kinds of professional musicians they engage. The results of this survey provide some useful indications.

For professionals and businesses

Making Music offers opportunities for professional musicians, ensembles, businesses and suppliers to get involved with us and our members

Professionals can apply for the Philip & Dorothy Green Young Artists awards, or to be one of our Selected Artists who we promote to our 3,700+ leisure-time music groups for bookings. Music creators can apply for our Adopt a Music Creator project and work with a leisure-time music group for a year. Or you can search the wide range of musical vacancies on our website for roles with our member groups.

New resource: model contract for working with professional musicians

We are pleased to announce that Making Music members now have access to the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) model contract for use when engaging with professional musicians. The contract will help put you on sure footing when engaging with professional musicians and give both you and the musician confidence in the arrangement.

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