Consider this the overture to a podcast that aims to save musicians money when traveling to auditions, gigs, or vacations. We all need to get to the next audition somehow, and if there’s a way to save you money and unlock great benefits too, we’ll post about it here on the Freeway Philharmonic.
This episode discusses the dos and don’ts of gigs and some helpful tax tips!
- The Importance of Networking (Not the Slimy Salesperson Kind)
- Gig Work: Tips & Tricks
- Helpful Tax Links
- Download The Freeway Philharmonic Tax Spreadsheet Here!
The Importance of Networking (Not the Slimy Salesperson Kind)
At this point, we have played with a lot of orchestras over the years. We think it’s fair to say we got and continue to get most of our gigs from “networking.” What do we mean by that? We mean the kind of down-to-earth socializing and camaraderie that comes with having 100 colleagues committed to an orchestral performance.
Word-of-mouth is the most important tool in our business. The audition process is hard enough as is, so if you’re easy to work with on top of being a great player, you’re almost guaranteed to get called back and get recommended for other orchestras in the future.
In summary? Don’t be a dick. Introduce yourself to the people around you and be prepared to go with the flow of the group you’re playing with. As they say, love the one you’re with. Don’t gossip, come prepared, be ready to adjust as needed, and you’re gonna have a great time. It never hurts to compliment great playing around you either! Don’t forget to thank the people who invited you when you first arrive and after your last performance as well.
Gig Work: Tips & Tricks
Get Your Shit Together
Do we really have to say this? Make sure your phone and email are working properly. Personnel Managers have started calling and emailing multiple people for last-minute sub work, and the early bird gets the gig! Don’t be the person who misses a phone call because your battery is at 1%!
Play for the Principal
Is there somewhere you really want to sub? Go play for the principal! This can feel intimidating, but it’s the best way for them to see that you’re easy to work with and a good player. Nothing gets you on a sub list faster than that.
Send Out Your Resume
Start school in a new city? Get a per-service job in a new place? Visit family in a different state often? Send your resume to orchestras nearby! You’d be surprised what kind of gigs you can pick up just by telling PMs you’re around! We find this is one of the most creative ways to pick up extra work. You never know when an orchestra will need someone to step in – make that someone you!
Tips on Accepting New Gigs (Permanent or Sub Work)
- Unfamiliar with the group you’ve been asked to play with? Look at their website first to see what type of organization it is. This can also help you determine if you know anyone who already plays there.
- If this is a one-off gig, check how far away it is before accepting. Is it a 2-hour commute each way with 5 days of rehearsals and concerts? That’s a LOT of time spent in transit. Make sure it’s worth it, which gets us to…
- Make sure the rate of pay is defined in your hiring email and is within your range of reasonable wages. See if there is a per diem too!
- Make sure you’re being paid via W-2 and not 1099. If it’s a 1099, know those wages have NO TAX TAKEN OUT so come tax season, you are responsible for having that money set aside for the government.
- If the orchestra is further away, see if they are offering housing or travel stipends, including mileage and parking reimbursement. Otherwise, track these items for tax season when you can potentially write them off.
- Get things in writing! Never go by word-of-mouth when accepting work. All work should be documented in your emails with the hiring manager or through an actual contract.
- Won an audition and are being offered a position? Get your hands on the contract ASAP and make sure what you were promised is what is being offered.
- For beginners in this process, it’s okay to accept an unfamiliar or lower-tier gig to get your foot in the door and put something on your resume. Just know your worth and know what your goals are moving forward.
What to Know Once You’re at the Gig
- Arrive early.
- Come prepared.
- Introduce yourself to the players around you.
- Be willing to take constructive instruction.
- Don’t gossip.
- Be open to hanging out with orchestra peeps after rehearsals or concerts, if possible.
After the Gig
- Keep a list of everywhere you have submitted tax info. Make sure your address and contact info are up to date throughout the year. If not, you’re going to miss tax form information and potentially forget to file taxes for gigs.
- 1099 gig? Make sure you set aside the correct percentage of your pay for tax season. Consult a tax professional to learn more.
- W-2 gig? Make sure to 👏pay 👏yourself 👏first and put money in an account like a Roth IRA (Individual Retirement Account) or HYSA (High-Yield Savings Account) for future you before current you begins to spend unnecessarily!
- Get a per diem or gas mileage that exceeded what you needed? Put that money in your HYSA under a specific savings goal, like car maintenance or future audition costs.
- If your orchestra doesn’t claim your mileage on your W2, check with your accountant whether you can write if off as a business expense under the Qualified Performing Artist deduction. Please consult a tax professional if you are not confident in what can be deducted under this deduction. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i2106–2023.pdf
- If the gig issues you a 1099 and doesn’t provide a mileage reimbursement, consult a tax professional to see if you can write off all this mileage as a business expense on your schedule C.
- Save any receipts for purchases made during working hours that are not reimbursed by your employer! Did the orchestra pay for your flight but not reimburse you for the Uber from the airport? That’s a non-reimbursed business expense you can potentially write off. Meals while out of town for work, and meals with colleagues where business is discussed at least once are tax deductible. For the last time, consult a tax professional to be sure! https://www.keepertax.com/tax-write-offs/musician
- Save and archive any receipts you plan on writing off and keep copies of your bank statements. Auditing is real and it could happen to you. Not that we’d know…
Helpful Tax Links
https://www.keepertax.com/tax-write-offs/musician
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i2106–2023.pdf
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