These are difficult times for all performing artists, and especially for classical musicians, who usually rely on live performance for the biggest part of their income. Two of our main concerns at the moment are, keeping up our professional standards, and surviving financially.
In normal times these two things should go hand in hand, even though they don’t always do. Some people can live off their art really well, while for others it’s a struggle at the best of times. And now, everything has suddenly become even more difficult.
The foreseeable future of live performance is totally uncertain, no one knows what the size of the next events is going to be, as in both the audience and the number of performers. No one knows what the general mobility and logistics are going to be like.
The situation is unprecedented. While European orchestras and opera houses are publicly funded, this is not the case in the UK, where they rely on the box office. And even the Metropolitan has cancelled the rest of its season and the orchestra, chorus and stagehands are not getting paid since April… and that’s one of the richest cultural institutions in the world.
So what now? What can we do as jobless free-lance or furloughed artists?
There are a few live performances here and there, and especially at a certain – rather high – level, you might have some well-paid, (anti)socially distanced, flawlessly streamed concerts from some empty cathedral or opera house, but that’s not something many can rely on.
For people in lockdown or too far away to get together, online performances can be good fun once or twice, but very frustrating all in all, due to both technical issues like delays and unsteady connection, and most of all, to the lack of what live music is all about: that real-time interaction that breathes life into it.
Also, even if you can get together and record or stream your performance, many online concerts are done for free, so they cannot be considered work.
Then there’s recording. Again, if you have a nice contract that’s being honoured with a good label, you might be doing some great work at the moment. And if not, you could maybe consider looking for studio sessions for different kinds of composers and songwriters. This can be a very interesting and very creative way of working. I personally love doing studio sessions.
Then there’s teaching. If you’re working at a music school or conservatoire, you’re likely to still have your salary and to be doing your lessons online. Many of my friends are, and they’re finding it rather stressful.
I teach privately, I’m doing it on Zoom now, which is far from ideal, but still, a hundred times better than nothing! I’m seeing some great progress being made even like that. But this is of course for one-on-one lessons only, I don’t think I could do my trainings for choirs like that.
Apart from lessons, teaching can come in the form of digital products, whether it is online courses or ebooks, or backing tracks you sell.
Then there are some musicians who make good earnings from popular blogs and YouTube channels, through affiliate marketing, sponsoring, merchandising and collaborations, but there again, that’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
For many singers and other musicians, like many of my friends and myself, at the moment art and money are not linked to a big extent. When you’re mainly a live performer and all your concerts are cancelled over a long period of time, you have a problem. Or two. The first one is not knowing where your money will come from, the second one is letting your music go off the rails. Many people are finding it hard to stay motivated and keep their practice up, with no concerts in sight.
I’m very happy to say that I can provide some help on both fronts here.
On the financial side of things:
I started an absolutely beautiful home business about a year ago, that has got nothing to do with music, but still is an ideal side hustle for artists. It has to do with living a healthier lifestyle while helping others create a healthier and financially sustainable lifestyle for themselves. I’m so in love with it!
I’m not going to talk about it here, but if you’d like to know what it is I’m doing, and if you’re looking for something great for yourself or someone close to you, feel free to get it in touch info@simonamango.com
I’ll be delighted to introduce you to that.
On the musical side of things:
If at the moment you’re finding it hard to keep up your routine, to work on your technique and your repertoire, to stay motivated, and to come up with new projects and ideas, you can join me @ The Singers’ Circle every Wednesday at 6PM Central European and 5PM UK & Ireland time. That’s a free live group call for all singers, where we share our plans and routines, ask for each other’s opinion and advice, encourage and help each other. Here you can also find an accountability partner if you want, which can be of huge support sometimes.
Here’s the link to it:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/4612712247…
Meeting ID: 461 271 2247
Passcode: singers’c
So, I hope one or both these things sound good to you! If you want to have a closer look at them, I’ll gladly talk to you one of these days.
Stay healthy and happy and keep singing!