MRS Instructions and Registration

No. Most opportunities as a professional musician will come to you via email. Check early and often, be professional and polite, and respond promptly.

The best professional etiquette is to communicate politely with your patron: apologize for the inconvenience, explain why you can’t make the gig, and recommend 2-3 other musicians (include their contact info!) that you know would do a great job. It is extremely unprofessional to back out of a gig with less than 2 week’s notice. PS – the surest way to avoid this is to double check your calendar before you respond so that you don’t double book!

In the notification email you receive from MRS, you’ll see a budget range (or in some cases a specific budget) listed from the patron. We recommend a minimum of $125 per hour per musician for performances, but ultimately this fee is negotiated between you and the patron. If you need help, write to us at MRS@necmusic.edu or visit EM in SB201.

There are different reasons to gig for various fees. If you haven’t gigged a lot before, $100 for your first gig may not be a bad start. Perhaps the fee is a little low, but they’re willing to provide you dinner, and you’ll have a chance to network with more experienced musicians in town, which leads to more gigs (if you're prepared, easy to work with, etc.). 

If you’ve been gigging a long time, $100 may not be worth your time. You can always try negotiating if the rate is too low. It would not be unreasonable for you to ask if more money is available, though in some cases a patron will have a fixed budget and will be unable to adjust the compensation. In negotiating, it's best to do this in a polite way. Remember, you are building a relationship with the patron at the same time that you are requesting a higher fee. If you need help, bring a draft email to the MRS in the EM Office (SB201) and we’d be happy to talk it over with you.

Remember, the MRS Office (SB201) is here to help along the way. Send us an email, call, or stop by the office to chat.

Notify the MRS office immediately. We keep records of both student and patron experiences and will do our best to limit problematic client interactions with our students.

First, check the Gig Index of the “Students Only” section and see if the gig has been filled. Second, take a look at your responses to the gig requests… Are they professional? Do they have typos or grammar errors? Are they too long and rambling? Do they include demos of you playing, or links to a compelling website? Remember, you’re in competition with other musicians in Boston, and this initial email response is your first impression on a potential client. They are likely sending multiple inquiries to various musicians (and other music schools) in the area, so make it count. REMEMBER: you can always set up an advising appointment with EM to go over the materials you share with patrons. 

This occasionally happens in the freelance scene. Most patrons that “over-communicate” just want to make sure everything will go well at their event. If you sense this starting to happen, offer to get on the phone with the patron, or even to meet for a brief coffee to discuss the client's requests for the gig. Remember, you know how qualified you are for the gig, but the patron may just be getting to know you! Try responding with video demos of your playing and offer some reassurance that you’ve done this type of performing before by referencing previous performances. Gigging is all about relationships – a musician that takes the extra time to invest in a 15 minute phone call to learn about the intricacies of a patron’s special event (and is friendly!), is a musician who will get recommended for future gigs.

I am aware of the contagious nature of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”) and the risk of exposure to or contracting COVID-19 by participating in an event through the Music Referral Service. New England Conservatory (NEC) does not monitor or require that any individual or organization that participates in the Music Referral Service implement particular COVID-19 safety protocols. By submitting this application, I acknowledge that I understand that the individuals and/or organizations that participate in the Music Referral Service are solely responsible for implementing any COVID-19 safety protocols, including, without limitation, protocols relation to vaccination, testing, facial coverings, physical distancing, sanitation, hygiene, and air quality and filtration methods at the relevant gig(s) and/or event(s) (referred to collectively as event) and that NEC has no such responsibility. 

I understand and acknowledge that exposure or infection to COVID-19 at an event may result in serious illness, personal injury, permanent disability, and/or death. I understand that there is no guarantee that I will not become infected with COVID-19 as a result of my participation in an event and that my participation in the Music Referral Service may increase my risk of contracting the Disease. 

NOTWITHSTANDING THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DISEASE, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I AM VOLUNTARILY ELECTING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MUSIC REFERRAL SERVICE WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE DANGER INVOLVED. I HEREBY AGREE TO ACCEPT AND ASSUME ALL RISKS OF PERSONAL INJURY, ILLNESS, DISABILITY, AND/OR DEATH RELATED TO COVID-19 ARISING FROM MY PARTICIPATION IN THE MUSIC REFERRAL SERVICE WHETHER CAUSED BY THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF NEC OR OTHERWISE. 

I expressly waive and release any and all claims against NEC, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns (collectively, "Releasees"), on account of injury, illness, disability, or death arising out of or attributable to off-campus gigs acquired through the Music Referral Service and being exposed to or contracting COVID-19, whether arising out of the ordinary negligence of NEC or any Releasees or otherwise. I covenant not to make or bring any such claim against NEC or any other Releasee, and forever release and discharge NEC and all other Releasees from liability under such claims.