SOMERSET CHAMBER CHOIR

Notes re fees payable to, and duties carried out by, the conductor of the choir

1/Fees payable w.e.f. 1 February 1999:

a)     £1,550 ('the basic fee')+ the ‘minimum’ fee set out below or 7½% of ticket income (before any deductions) whichever is the higher.

b)     The ‘minimum fee’ is defined as £520 for the major annual concert (e.g. Wells Cathedral), £155 for the main Xmas concert (e.g. King’s College).

c)     The basic and minimum fees will be reviewed annually on 1 February. The first review is due on 1 February 2000.

d)     Accommodation will be provided at the choir's expense, either in choir members' homes or guest houses (the choir may decide which), for the following nights:

            i)    Any night which immediately precedes a rehearsal commencing before midday.

            ii)   Any night after a rehearsal which is to be followed by a concert the following day.

            iii)   Any night after a rehearsal which ends at 8pm or later.

            iv)  Any night which follows a concert which ends at 8pm or later.

        If the above standard rules should impose, due to unusual rehearsal arrangements or unforeseen circumstances, unreasonable travel requirements on the conductor, the spirit of this agreement is that these will be recognised by the committee and a reasonable solution agreed with the conductor in order to avoid undue inconvenience to him/her.

e)     Set out below are the 'core' duties to be carried out by the conductor.  Any additional duties/hours' rehearsal/travel etc will be reimbursed at the following rates:

            i)    Additional duties @ rate to be agreed by negotiation with conductor.

            ii)   Additional rehearsal based on an hourly rate, travel‑inclusive, calculated by dividing the basic fee by 60.

            iii)   Additional travel not related to rehearsals @ miles divided by 30mpg, times price per gallon (4*).

            iv)  Additional concerts @ fee to be agreed by negotiation with conductor.

2/The Core Duties:

a)     Plan, prepare and execute 2 principal concerts (usually July/August and Dec/Jan) but movable subject to agreement.

b)     Plan, prepare and execute rehearsals for the concerts referred to in 2(a) over 5 specified weekends (dates by agreement); from 10am ‑ 5pm less lunch break, or equivalent.

c)     Subject to the conductor’s availability (it is acknowledged that this may be limited due to work commitments), execute additional rehearsals during the days immediately preceding the concerts referred to in 2(a), if necessary for the good execution of those concerts, up to a maximum of 6 hours. Provided these rehearsals are by prior agreement with the committee and if additional travel from London and/or additional night(s) accommodation (e.g. for a mid‑week rehearsal) are required as a result, these will be reimbursed/provided in accordance with the arrangements set out above under 1(c) & 1(d).

d)     Provide such programme notes/leaflet texts/background information as required to produce publicity material for concerts.

e)     Plan, prepare and execute further event(s), if required, being the equivalent in hours and travel of one further rehearsal weekend; such time may be inclusive of a performance(s), e.g. cathedral service(s), promotional event, etc.

f)     For those duties for which deadlines are set by the committee, the conductor will be expected to comply with these, provided they have been accepted by the conductor as reasonable.  The committee may assume that deadlines it sets are acceptable to the conductor unless he/she objects to them within 7 days of them being notified to him/her.

g)     Travel to/from all events/rehearsals listed in the 'core' duties under 2(a) - (g) above is considered to be included in the financial arrangement proposed.  The fee/percentage is also inclusive of all reasonable out‑of‑pocket expenses incurred by the conductor, e.g. telephone, postage, stationery, CDs, books, but see (i) below.

h)     It is the intention that normal out‑of‑pocket expenses will not be paid in addition to the fee/percentage arrangement; however, if  expenses of an exceptional nature or amount are to be incurred by the conductor, these may be reimbursed subject to prior agreement with the choir treasurer.

i)      If the core duties set out above should permanently alter substantially, the financial arrangement and core duties may be reviewed and revised by agreement the conductor.  Such a review will be carried out either upon the request of a committee member or of the conductor.