Choral Quid Pro Quo

If it hasn’t already started for you, it soon will.  We’re entering that time of year when the public suddenly becomes interested in choral music.  Mall managers, retirement community recreation supervisors, civic club presidents, and others of that ilk will start calling local schools asking the same question: “Do you have a group that can come and sing.”  (Believe it or not, we even field that question at the ACDA national office.)

 

These folks have a mental image of fresh-faced young singers who magically appear in Dickensian costumes to present perfect renditions of “Carol of the Bells.”  Some of them want you to sing for a staggeringly small honorarium; usually they expect your services for free.

 

This year, why not help them AND get something tangible in return?

 

The mall manager wants you to sing . . . agree, but get him to guarantee that the mall marquee will promote every one of your concerts for the remainder of the academic year.  The Church Ladies Muffin Club wants a little entertainment . . . sure thing, but Pastor Bob has to agree that you can utilize (gratis) their resonant sanctuary for a recording session.  The hoity-toity retirement community expects you to sing after-dinner Christmas music . . . Soitenly, but you expect them to purchase 75 tickets to your spring musical.

 

Of course, not every gig will include a quid pro quo (we visit a nursing home or convalescent facility as a service to others), but for everyone else . . . let’s deal!