http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7957798/Here-comes-the-bribe-church-organists-accused-of-exploiting-wedding-couples.html
In summary, it mentions that church organists are charging more for weddings if the service is videoed. Bridal couples are understandably upset at organists' fees being doubled if they are videoed.
In the face of it, it appears to be unfair; you have booked an organist to play, and as soon as the word 'Video' is mentioned, the organist gets pound signs in his eyes and charges double the fee. However, the organist, or other musician, has no control over the recording of the music once it is recorded. There have been cases of music being recorded, then used for commercial purposes, where other people have earned a great deal of money, but the musician himself has not earned a penny. This has in fact happened to me, and it is a shocking situation to occur.
Music and performance is a job and the musician 'owns' the performance rights. Of course if he is booked, the client has paid for that performance - but not 'repeat' performances: and a video is a repeat. The same could apply to choirs and instrumentalists performing at a wedding.
So what do you do to avoid this. In the case of organists, the church of England has got involved, although the MU and Royal School of Church Music do advise that a fee should be paid for videoing or recording a performance.
1. You could ensure that no videoing takes place when the organist is playing, although this is tricky for the entrance of the bride.
2. You could negotiate with the organist to have a special copy of the service, with his playing included. He might enjoy that.
3. Other music could be 'dubbed' onto the video, avoiding using the performance of the organist.
4. Use a good quality music management company like NSN, to negotiate the fee. We would be able to include clauses that would ensure the musician didn't feel exploited.
Good luck and if you need any advice, don't hesitate to call me on 0844 576 3015. Our website is http://www.nsn-productions.com
In the face of it, it appears to be unfair; you have booked an organist to play, and as soon as the word 'Video' is mentioned, the organist gets pound signs in his eyes and charges double the fee. However, the organist, or other musician, has no control over the recording of the music once it is recorded. There have been cases of music being recorded, then used for commercial purposes, where other people have earned a great deal of money, but the musician himself has not earned a penny. This has in fact happened to me, and it is a shocking situation to occur.
Music and performance is a job and the musician 'owns' the performance rights. Of course if he is booked, the client has paid for that performance - but not 'repeat' performances: and a video is a repeat. The same could apply to choirs and instrumentalists performing at a wedding.
So what do you do to avoid this. In the case of organists, the church of England has got involved, although the MU and Royal School of Church Music do advise that a fee should be paid for videoing or recording a performance.
1. You could ensure that no videoing takes place when the organist is playing, although this is tricky for the entrance of the bride.
2. You could negotiate with the organist to have a special copy of the service, with his playing included. He might enjoy that.
3. Other music could be 'dubbed' onto the video, avoiding using the performance of the organist.
4. Use a good quality music management company like NSN, to negotiate the fee. We would be able to include clauses that would ensure the musician didn't feel exploited.
Good luck and if you need any advice, don't hesitate to call me on 0844 576 3015. Our website is http://www.nsn-productions.com
