Vox Populi Musici: Thoughts On Cancelling Gigs
Musical Republic, hear what I beg! I need your opinion!
Oboeinsight recently featured some brief thoughts on Orchestra Etiquette, resulting in the fact that it’s important to stick to your commitments.
Of course, we here at TGM are happy to get a gig in the first place, so this seems like an odd question. But it does arise when you’re having spells of high musical stress, when it may be legitimate to consider cancelling a gig.
My problem with this is two-fold:
- Where do you find a replacement quickly enough that’ll fill your spot?
- Is it legally stable to cancel a gig short-notice?
As a economics/law student, I have to ask this because as far as I’m concerned, an artist is in a binding contract with the orchestra/conductor/manager. The kind of contract is not the kind of contract you have when buying an egg at the supermarket, where you don’t care which egg you get, you just need an egg.
Not so much with musicians, whose contract would require personal fulfillment. Otherwise your liable for all damage done. At least that’s what international private law says.
Anyone have thoughts or knowledge on this? I’d really appreciate your opinions or in the best case, hard facts. I hope we don’t conclude that orchestra musicians are no more valuable and differentiable than eggs. But I’ll keep that as last resort.
3 Comments
[...] Vox Populi Musici: Thoughts On Cancelling Gigs The Good Musician writes: “Oboeinsight recently featured some brief thoughts on Orchestra Etiquette, resulting in the fact that it’s important to stick to your commitments.” (tags: oboeinsight good musician classical music blog) [...]
Well in my opinon there are a few things you need to think about to deterime weather canceling a gig is a good idea or not.
-Is the gig insignificant enough to pass up? I wouldn’t cancel if your supposed play at some fancy theater or something…
-weather they will invite you/allow you to play there again if you cancel.
-The effect of playing the show (or not) will have on your bands reputation.
-Is your reason for canceling valid in this particular situation? Perhaps a group member is sick, you really feel you need a break, or your out of straight practice
As far as I know canceling is more of a morel issue then a legal one and finding a replacement is not actually necessary but when done should be considered an act of decency.
Oh sorry for double posting but also:
Ive been meaning to ask you about your views regarding what sort of things make a good band practice. I believe you’ve talked about solo practice however playing and coordinating with other people is a completely different story be it leading a band or contributing on another level.
Keep up the writing Arjun, its amazing!
-Chris