Thoughts from a Musician's Heart

The Art of Musician Contracting – A Joyous Life!  by Keith Meek

Wouldn’t it be great if the music industry were as easy as we all thought it would be when we were in college?  I remember my very first gig. I received a call from a friend saying that a church needed a trombone quartet to play for 15 minutes before their next Sunday service.  We were simply to show up, sight-read the charts, pick up our envelope filled with COLD, HARD, CASH, and walk on.  To my surprise, the gig worked exactly as he said, and I thought, “Man, I’m going to love this job!”  

Well, as we all know, the music industry is a bit more complicated.  I’ve been performing professionally since 1985 and contracting since 1987, and as much fun as it is to just show up and play a gig, I now know that there’s much more going on behind the scenes.  A contractor must organize the players, calculate the appropriate fees, set and manage schedules, make sure a library system is in place for each gig, establish the rehearsal rules and regulations, and set the appropriate etiquette and tone when working with professional musicians.  Let’s not forget writing a legally appropriate contract—one that is clear, that is appropriate for both the client and the musician that will protect everyone, and is gracefully communicated.  Oh, yeah, we also need some serious liability insurance, too.   

In other words, a contractor must be much more than just a great musician.  A contractor is an organizer, who has the ability to develop relationships on both sides of the conductor’s stand (or client’s contract) and is masterful in the art of conflict resolution. Overall, a contractor must be be a true servant to clients and be a graceful servant-leader to those they manage.  In other words, a contractor must be Christ-like.  

If I approach working with my clients, musicians, stagehands, and audience from the same approach as Christ does with me, this can result in not just one great performance, but decades of wonderful performances, working with many of the same clients and musicians throughout a career.  In my case, the clients and musicians with whom I work have developed a family atmosphere. Many of these clients and musicians have been with me since I started my company.  In fact, I recently played a rehearsal with an individual who’s been playing horn for my ensembles since 1989.  

I do not suggest that I've gotten everything perfect from the start (trust me on this!), nor is it perfect now.  However, I believe that God has allowed us to develop a healthy gig culture over the years because we have attempted to honor him and respect those with whom we work.  For example, you simply never know when someone in your orchestra may be hurting.  Do they need someone to hear them, encourage them, guide them, and carry a burden with them as they face their challenges?  If so, you may be that person.  I try to never hide my faith, whether speaking with clients or musicians; I’m always willing to insert God into most any conversation.  Even those who do not share my faith most likely will at least respect it.  Also, there may be Christians in your orchestra who feel as if they are the only Christians in the orchestra and they are fearful of announcing their faith; you may be the one to encourage them to stay strong and to continue in their walk of faith.  

Finally, as contractors we are leaders, so, as any leader should, we must first evaluate ourselves.  Are we spiritually clean and healthy?  If not, what should we do?

Consider Colossians 3:1-17, which covers how to live a life of substance and purity. This passage tells us what to remove from our lives and what to focus our attention on. It then closes with “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”   

This chapter has been at the heart of my life since my college years, simply because my earthly father taught these verses to me and then my Heavenly Father has continued to be true to his word.  God has been kind, merciful, a great counselor, a provider of wisdom, a friend with whom I can share my deepest fears and my greatest joys.  He has helped me to resolve conflict and develop friendships.  Consider this; why did Christ come to earth in the first place?  According to II Corinthians 5:18-21, God sent Christ to reconcile Man to God and then he handed off the ministry of reconciliation to us.  We are now tasked with reconciling with each other. We are to work with our stand partner, conductor, personnel manager, or client with these thoughts in mind.   

If we attempt to follow Christ’s example, then being a musician can be a joyous, healthy, and rewarding life.  A life full of great music and close friends! 

Blessings, 

Keith Meek, contractor / trombone

Metro Musical Productions