Classical musicians play a musical instrument as a soloist or as part of a musical ensemble or orchestra. They perform live to an audience or record music.
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The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary depending on:
Pay rates vary, depending on the orchestra or the venue (club, London theatre, regional theatre, TV or recording studio, for example).
There are agreed freelance rates between the Musicians’ Union and organisations such as the BBC and the British Recorded Music Industry (BPI). These cover live performances and recorded sessions. Information is available on the Equity website.
For example, as a salaried orchestra musician with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, you could earn around £30,000 a year, rising to £45,000 a year and above at principal level. You would earn extra for overtime, for overnight trips and concert tours, or for playing more than one instrument.
You could earn more with other orchestras and those based in London, and perhaps at least twice as much in a major American orchestra.
Freelance rates can vary depending on skills and experience. The latest research findings (2012) by the Incorporated Society of Music (ISM) were that average fees per engagement (a rehearsal or performance) ranged from £90-£150 for an orchestra player, and £100-£250 for a solo instrumentalist.
Recording artists can earn much more. For the very few soloists that make it to the top, earnings can be very high.
Salary as a full time musician in the armed services varies depending on the individual service. In 2019 the RAF advertised musician pay at £25,525, after basic training.
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Classical musicians usually continue to take private classes throughout their careers to maintain and improve their performance.
The Creative and Cultural Skills website has a careers section called Creative Choices which has information about working in the music industry.
Young Scot and Creative Scotland operate the 'Nurturing Talent - Time to Shine Fund', which aims to support young people aged 11-25 and interested in developing creative or artistic skills. Both individuals and groups can apply for funding up to £1,000. For more information see the Young Scot website.
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The following organisations may be able to provide further information.
Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM)
Tel: 020 7636 5400
Website:
http://www.abrsm.org/
Twitter:
@ABRSM
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/abrsm
Association of British Orchestras
Tel: 020 7557 6770
Website:
http://www.abo.org.uk
Twitter:
@aborchestras
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Association-of-British-Orchestras-70336543432/
Creative and Cultural Skills
Tel: 020 7015 1800
E-mail:
info@ccskills.org.uk
Website:
http://www.ccskills.org.uk/
Website (2):
https://ccskills.org.uk/careers
Twitter:
@CCskills
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ccskills
Creative and Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for advertising, crafts, cultural heritage, design, music, performing, literary and visual arts.
Equity
Tel: 020 7379 6000
E-mail:
info@equity.org.uk
Website:
http://www.equity.org.uk/
Twitter:
@EquityUK
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/EquityUK
Membership of Equity is open not just those in the acting profession but to anyone working professionally in the field of entertainment.
Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM)
Tel: 020 7221 3499
E-mail:
membership@ism.org
Website:
http://www.ism.org/
Twitter:
@ISM_music
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ISMusicians
Musicians' Union (MU)
Tel: 0141 341 2960
Website:
http://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/
Twitter:
@WeAreTheMU
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Musicians.Union
Scottish Drama Training Network
Tel: 0141 270 8349
Website:
http://sdtn.org/
Twitter:
@SDTNtweets
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/sdtnofficial/
Scottish Music Centre
Tel: 0141 552 5222
E-mail:
info@scottishmusiccentre.com
Website:
http://www.scottishmusiccentre.com
Twitter:
@scottishmusic
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/scottishmusiccentre