tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post8626764593375674384..comments2024-03-22T06:38:04.697-04:00Comments on Beyond the Notes: Don't leave home without it - performing for your own communityErica Ann Sipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13526622607656348353noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-22399480430329464812012-05-19T20:27:38.001-04:002012-05-19T20:27:38.001-04:00Janet,
Thank you for taking the time to comment! ...Janet,<br />Thank you for taking the time to comment! It's always so hard, I think, to know how much to charge for concerts and of course it depends on the context, the performers, and the motivations. But I find myself in much the same spot as you do. With a family and a kid, the thought of us all going to an event that costs $35 each, or even just myself, quite frankly doesn't seem very do-able even though I'd love to be taking in more musical and cultural events. At the same time I know there are a lot of people out there that are more than willing to lay down a lot more than that for a sporting event or a concert. But those are what I consider "spectacular" events in the sense that they are truly spectacles. <br /><br />Right now, at least for my own performing, I am finding myself doing more and more of these lower-cost, if not free performances in our own community. The result is that I'm being asked to do more gigs that actually do pay something. In building relationships, I feel like I'm building respect from those around me for what I do so the work is increasing, even though the paycheck for each one isn't necessarily grand. <br /><br />As for your recital, you have quite a while before it happens - that gives you a lot of time to build relationships that might lead to a supportive audience for you! <br /><br />All the best, Janet - I look forward to following your journey leading up to your recital! <br /><br />And thanks again for reading and commenting,<br />EricaErica Ann Sipeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13526622607656348353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-57986003878209343752012-05-19T12:13:22.616-04:002012-05-19T12:13:22.616-04:00Wow, Christos, that's amazing! What a differen...Wow, Christos, that's amazing! What a different approach to music! It is nice to be able to earn from our talents, but one thing I thought is how nice it is for your audiences to have live music accessible. I would love to go to more concerts, but with the $35 US and higher price tag, it's just not in my budget, not if I want to take my husband, or the kids! <br /><br />Erica, as always, I find your blog posts interesting and filled with incite. How wonderful for your young friend that his community wanted to come and hear him perform. Out here in crazy-busy California, it can be a challenge to get even good friends to take the time to come and sit and listen. I am preparing what would be equivalent to a college recital for June, 2013, and I am already wondering if anyone will come..well, I know of 5 or 6 I can count on...at least I don't need to rent a big hall!Janet K Bordeauxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-28886447147081857922010-06-30T08:43:40.919-04:002010-06-30T08:43:40.919-04:00Thank you for your comments, Christos and it does ...Thank you for your comments, Christos and it does indeed sound like the situation is much different here in the US! I'm sorry to hear about the performing situation in Greece but it is a good reminder for me to not take for granted what I have here. For most larger venues, such as recital/concert halls we do have to pay a fee if we want to rent the hall but there are usually places within the community that are willing to let you play there for free. Granted, the free places are not usually perfect...it often means not having a great piano to play on (if there even is one) or playing on an out-of-tune one, but at least it's a place to perform.<br /><br />And please don't misunderstand me...I'm not suggesting that musicians should always pay for free. For many of us, music is our career, our livelihood...I am just sharing my goal to perform every now and then as a form of community service and as a way to reach some new listeners.<br /><br />Thank you again for your comments...I wish you all the best in Greece and hope that a better, more fulfilling performing space will present itself.<br /><br />-EricaErica Ann Sipeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13526622607656348353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-22240277787223438852010-06-30T02:55:43.946-04:002010-06-30T02:55:43.946-04:00Hi Erica,
The musical reality in my country is s...Hi Erica, <br /><br />The musical reality in my country is so different from what I gather it is in yours that I cannot even decide whether I agree or disagree with your view!<br />I assume from what you say that normally musicians get paid for their concerts/recitals. Let me tell you what’s going on in Greece: not only do musicians normally not get paid to perform but sometimes they have to pay in order to perform! There are so few opportunities/concert halls and so many musicians who wish to play, that one feels grateful if such an opportunity appears even if one has to pay for it. For instance, at my last concert, I played in a nice concert hall and in order to be accepted I had to pay 100 Euros. In other places, the fee is higher. No tickets of course! It’s a shame, I put so much effort into preparing a program, hundreds of hours of practicing (you know what I mean) and there is no financial outcome out of this. I am not greedy and certainly I do not regret doing it, but on the other hand, I have three little children, my rent etc… For how long will I be able to do that, I wonder…<br />So in Greece, the effort one should make would rather be to ensure that all musicians should get paid to perform – simply because the prevailing feeling is that they shouldn’t…<br />Anyway, it was consoling to find out that in the US things are different…<br />Have a lovely day…<br />Christoschristos makropouloshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13767927703684899821noreply@blogger.com