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Booking Referral Q&A
- What is the Booking Referral Service?
The primary vehicle of the Referral Service is the See The Music book which consists of a variety of categories of music aimed at the wedding and corporate function market, and which is published every two years. The ads contain descriptions of size of band and style of music and the contact information, many with photos, and some advertise that they provide demo tapes to potential clients.
<Here is the online version of See The Music>
- What about fees?
The ads do not contain information concerning fees nor does the Referral Service does not give out information regarding fees. This must be discussed with the musicians themselves. Mimimun fees would be in accordance with the Tariff of Fees.
<Members can download the Tariff of Fees>.
- Does the Referral Service recommend musicians or groups?
I also am often asked to recommend one group or musician over another and of course I cannot do that. I usually answer that they are all consummate professionals who have been doing this for a living for quite some time, and that in fact they can tell the clients what questions they should be asking them. "You're in good hands" is the message they want to hear. As far as the categories which are contained in the See The Music are concerned, I do sometimes give out some who are not in the book, if the client has not been successful in hiring someone from the book. Certain categories are not as well represented as others, for example, rock bands, in which case I often suggest certain licensed agents who specialize in that area of the business.
- What else does the Referral Service do?
Beyond the See The Music book, we keep lists of referrals in specific categories, such as ethnic, children's, novelty, themes, specialties, etc. These are given out over the phone usually. We do not function as a booking agency and cannot supply the client with information as to the availability of any given musician or group on any given date. This is also between the client and the musician. Some people who call are already very sure of what kind of music they want, but often we get calls from people who are not sure, or who in fact may not have even decided if they want live music or a disc jockey as yet. Therefore, the Referrals Dept. is sometimes called upon to offer a certain amount of consultation, encouragement and reassurance in this regard, along with some very basic information regarding contracting procedures and "what if's..." However, I should emphasize that I only make suggestions of whom to call and tell them to discuss the in's and out's with the musicians themselves. It is also important that the Referral Service be perceived as a link to an ultimate solution. If I have to do research and get back to them, then I do, even if ultimately we can't find a member who is suitable.
We also get calls from Event Planners when they have run out of ideas and they are also extremely thankful when we are able to help them with suggestions, which I'm happy to say, is pretty nearly always. We get lots of return calls and repeat business from these sources.Call Nancy at extension 236.
- Is the Referral Service included with my membership?
• We keep lists of musicians and groups in various categories for use by our Referral Dept.
• The TMA bulletin board highlights "Musicians Wanted" ads as well as other classified notices. |
© 2006 Toronto Musicians' Association
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