Musicians ‘emotionally blackmailed’ into performing at charity events 4

Fundraising | Celina Ribeiro | 10 Aug 2011

Charities use emotional blackmail to pressure musicians into performing for free at their events, a musicians’ body has claimed.

The Musicians Union has put forward a motion condemning the “extremely unfair” situation in which musicians, they say, can be pressured into working for nothing to the Trade Union Congress next month. The union says musicians should be enabled to make the choice “freely” like other workers.

“It is wrong that many performing artists are expected to work for nothing when they are engaged for charitable and fundraising events,” the union said in its motion.

“It is extremely unfair to put professional musicians into a situation where they are emotionally blackmailed into working for no fee and are asked to give their services to a good cause. This is particularly unjust when others associated with the event, such as venue staff, lawyers and caterers, are being paid.”

The Congress will be asked to vote on whether it agrees that, while there is nothing wrong with asking someone to donate their professional services for a good cause, “it must always be a choice made freely by the individual and not a decision that they feel pressured into making.”

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Adrian Beney
Partner
Iain More Associates
11 Aug 2011

Oh my heart bleeds for the musicians.

How many of us as fundraisers have been asked to help a needy charity for free. I should imagine all of us. And what about all the other people and organisations who provide professional services which charities need. Accountants, solicitors, etc etc.

Come on Musicians' Union. Get a life. No one is blackmailing you, any more than they are blackmailing us.

If your members feel bad about saying "no" then maybe they should be saying "yes" a little more often.

[Reply]

Alan George
viola player
Fitzwilliam String Quartet
17 Aug 2011
Response to [Adrian Beney]

Mr Beney does his case no good at all by prefacing his comments with such a provocative, arrogant, and offensive remark, thereby devaluing most of what he subsequently writes. As a MU member myself I have to agree that "blackmailing", as expressed in their motion, is rather over the top. But as "entertainers" we are often requested - if not actually expected - to play for little or nothing, and it is rarely easy to refuse these invitations. We are not told what type of organisation Iain More Associates might be - presumably not Accountants or solicitors, neither of whom happens to provide anything like free services to the registered charity for which I act as trustee.... I think many such professionals would be shocked to learn how little most free-lance musicians can actually earn. Of course, one or two megastars (eg the late Luciano Pavarotti)can rival the wages of premier league footballers! Nevertheless, most of us do cherish our gifts, and like to share them as much as we can.

[Reply]

Lesley Schatzberger
Director
Jessie's Fund
16 Aug 2011
Response to [Adrian Beney]

As both a musician and a director of a small charity I sit on both sides of this fence and I take issue with Adrian Beney's comment. Musicians are usually extremely committed to their vocation (how else would they put up with such an insecure profession?)and may well like to be able to play for no fee, but it's a relentlessly difficult way to earn a living and there is a limit to how often we can do so. I both willingly give my services and cautiously ask my colleagues to do so for Jessie's Fund (www.jessiesfund.org.uk), but in asking I'm well aware that this could mean a lost fee elsewhere for them. We are not the only professionals in this position, but I dare say that our average income is amongst the lowest and that our services(for free) are called upon more than most.

[Reply]

Wayne Berry
12 Aug 2011
Response to [Adrian Beney]

Well, perhaps a little harsh.

Though I cannot unfortunately find the exact quotation, I do recall quite vividly that the late Canadian contralto, Maureen Forrester, lamented the fact that her many "free" concerts had given the unfortunate perception that she was quite willing to work for nothing. Obviously artists must keep in mind that being part of the charitable circuit could mean accolades but less bread on the table.

[Reply]

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