Hire a Musician
AFM Local 423 is proud to endorse its members. No matter what your musical needs are, Local 423 can provide. Our professional musicians perform in all types of settings from parties, chamber music, orchestral gigs, and jazz sessions or recording projects. Our musicians have years of training, experience, and work with professionalism. Support your local professionals by insisting on hiring qualified union members!
What does hiring a professional musician cost? Below are GIMA’s Wage Scales which provide a guideline for the many types of work in our region. These Wage Scales were adopted by our members and are part of our Bylaws.
Exhibit A
Minimum Wage Scales
The rates below are the minimum wage scales within the jurisdiction of Local 423. It is the right of all musicians to negotiate a higher wage as much above scale as possible. All professional work under these categories is subject to work dues. Please do not perform professional work for less than these minimum rates.
Section I - GENERAL WORK
A. Major Events: Wedding services, funerals, rallies, sporting events, private parties, corporate events, casinos, etc. Rates, as follows, are per musician.
1. Solo
Up to 1 hour......... $200.00
Up to 2 hours....... $250.00
Up to 3 hours....... $300.00
2. Duo
Up to 1 hour....... $125.00
Up to 2 hours....... $175.00
Up to 3 hours....... $200.00
3. Trio and above
Up to 1 hour......... $100.00
Up to 2 hours....... $150.00
Up to 3 hours....... $175.00
B. Bar/Winery/Brewery/Restaurant/Pub/Cocktail/Lounge – Venues that serve alcohol:
Up to 1 hour....... $100.00
Up to 2 hours....... $150.00
C. Coffee House – A venue that does not serve alcohol:
Up to 1 hour....... $75.00
D. Community Facilities – Hospitals, nursing homes, retirement, rehab & convalescent centers, etc:
Leader/Soloist/Side Musician....... $50.00, Flat rate, one hour
E. Cameo Performances: Appearances where a musician is featured on a limited portion of a program, not over 15 minutes.
Flat Rate - $50.00 per Musician
F. Holidays:
1. Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Day, and any other Federal holidays - 150% of Scale
2. New Year’s Eve (covers all gigs concluding after 6:00 p.m.) - 200% of Scale
Section 2 - Symphonic, Opera, Ballet, Musical Theatre
The following rates are for symphony orchestra, pit orchestra, wind ensemble, large jazz ensemble/jazz orchestra, or similarly orchestrated ensembles. Orchestras/ensembles covered under this section are designated as ensembles with more than one player per part, and a Concertmaster/band leader shall be designated. The rates listed are on a per-service basis. Services include rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances.
1. Base Orchestral Rate:
a. 2.5 hours: $100.00
b. 3 hours: $120.00
2. Premium / Overscale:
a. Concertmaster - 175%
b. Principal - 125%
c. Asst. Principal - 120%
3. Contractor fee: a minimum of 15% of the total price of the engagement defined as the total of musicians’ fees, cartage instrument/equipment rentals, travel (transportation tickets and mileage compensation).
4. Doublings: Musicians required in the same rehearsal/performance to play one or more instruments in addition to the one for which they are contracted to play will receive extra pay.
a. The rates shall be as follows: As a percentage of the base scale, add 1st 20%, 2nd – 15%, and each double thereafter – 15%.
b. The following four (4) groups of percussion instruments shall each be considered a separate instrument: 1) drum-set; 2) timpani; 3) keyboard mallet instruments; 4) all accessories and “battery” percussion.
c. The following are exceptions to Doubling pay:
i. A and B-flat Clarinet
ii. C and B-flat Trumpet
iii. Piano and celeste
5. Double and Triple Service Days: The first two services called in any calendar day shall be compensated pursuant to the rates specified herein. The following four half-hour segments occurring that day shall be compensated at not less than 150% of the otherwise applicable rate, and any subsequent such segments at 200% thereof. In all events, after a single rehearsal or performance exceeds four (4) hours, all subsequent half-hour segments thereof shall be compensated at not less than 150% of the otherwise applicable rate.
Section 3- Premiums and Allowances
A. Cartage: Any musician transporting by common carrier: Harp, Tympani, Celeste, Chimes, Concert Bass Drum, Orchestra Bells, Vibes, Marimba, Xylophone, Latin Percussion (including set of congas), a standard Drum Set, organ or keyboard (including an amp), Guitar amp, Bass amp, Electronic Rack, or a Complete PA System shall receive reimbursement for actual cartage charges at not more than the usual and customary rates provided by local companies. Any musician personally transporting any of the instruments listed above shall receive a roundtrip cartage allowance of $25 per instrument. Additional cartage monies may apply as per additional transportation or other instrument/equipment requirements. Cartage fees may not be waived by any parties.
B. Mileage: Upon submission of documentation, mileage will be provided to and from destinations to all musicians engaged to perform services outside a 35-mile radius from the musician’(s) residence. All mileage is reimbursed at the standard mileage rate published by the IRS for each calendar year. Any employer or
contractor may provide transportation in lieu of paying mileage.
C. Per Diem: Musicians will be paid a maximum per Diem of $40.00 per day ($10.00 for breakfast, $10.00 for lunch, and $20.00 for dinner) for:
i. Two services of 2.5 hours or greater in length with less than two hours between them.
ii. Any service of 2.5 hours or greater in length occurring at a distance of 35 miles or greater from a musician’s residence upon submission of
documentation.
iii. Upon agreement between a musician and employer, a meal may be provided to musicians in lieu of paying per diem.