Recession

[quantum]

Was recently told that my rehearsal pay will be limited to 2 hours per week. Not sure if this is due to the recession or just because it is a poor neighborhood.
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Anyone facing something simillar?
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[LPhilbrick]

Re: Recession



I have not yet heard of someone who had to accept a reduction in compensation, although I am not surprised to read of your unfortunate situation. This is the first year that I have not received an increase in salary for my primary organist position. Actually, the music director and I asked the budget committee to divert any such increases to the clergy and support staff, which they did. (We had both received large increases the prior year.) If we had accepted increases, they would have been in the range of 2%.
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Do you have a contract with your church? If not, you should. It should stipulate an annual review of your compensation and other employment terms. Negative changes should require prior notice and formal appeal procedure. A model contract and salary recommendations can be found at the AGO website: http://www.agohq.org/profession/index.html. The Presbyterian Association of Musicians has a similar site: http://www.presbymusic.org/ProfResGuidelines.htm.</p>

That said, most churches in my area are suffering financially, due to the small amount of returns on investments, reduced tithing, increased utility expenses, etc.</p>

Hang in there, and I hope things turn around for you soon!
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[quantum]

Re: Recession



My church isn't one of those who are big on committees. Only two priests, and minimal staffing. I often see them overladen with work, sometimes too busy to have time to relax. There are several organists. I'm in charge of two of the church choirs. The parish lies in a neighborhood that is not wealthy, but does have a large population density. </p>

I am paid on a contractual basis per hours of work I do each week. There is was no official written contract however. Naturally I get paid more at Christmas and Easter sinice there is more work to do. Since I'm in Canada, I'd fall more under the RCCO. I am RC, and the church is RC. I really would like to serve in an RC church, however it is quite evident with the job listings in the RCCO website Roman Catholic churches do not often list positions there. Personally, I also see that as a reflection to the integrity of the music offered in my city's RC churches - and it makes me quite sad. </p>

Thanks for the links, I'm reading through them now.
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[Guest]

Re: Recession

Much better to have a contract because they can really pay u anything they want a fellow organist here in Md they cut her salary from $ 20,000 a year to $ 10,000 a year so she quit and they havent had an organist now for 7 months.