222 !!Chapter 13
of the fee is paid directly by the music company and should be included
in the itemized budget.
Only union scale is included on the contract because the agencies want
to pay the minimum amount for pension and health benefits. (If the
arranger’s fee is higher than union scale, he or she submits an additional
bill to the music company.) These benefits are based on a percentage of the
arranger’s fee. Higher fees increase the cost of pension and health benefits.
If a composer for a music company composed the original composi-
tion, the company will usually try to negotiate a clause in the agreement
that states that the music company has the right to generate any additional
arrangements of that music. This concession is not usually granted.
Costs of Musicians
Musicians—in states where union membership is mandatory—receive
union scale for each recording session. (Some musicians receive double
scale.) The following applies as well:
- If musicians double their original parts or add new parts, addi-
tional payments are due. - If musicians play more than one instrument (called doubling), they
receive additional compensation. - Health and pension benefits must be included when calculating
the budget. The benefits are based on a percentage of each musi-
cian’s wages. - Arrangers and/or orchestrators receive double scale.
- Union scale for music copyists is based on the number of measures
and number of parts copied. - If there is a possibility of overtime, estimate the cost and include it
as a miscellaneous budget item. - Musicians who play a large instrument, such as a harp or double
bass, are entitled to cartage fees, which pay for the transport of
their instruments. The fees are listed in the American Federation
of Musicians union agreement. - If there are more than a specified number of musicians, the union
requires a contractor to be paid double scale. Contractors hire the
musicians and usually fill out the union contract. - Session leaders receive double scale.
- Conductors receive double scale.
Contracts are periodically renegotiated, so be aware of the most recent
scales and other changes.
When recording a nonunion session, after establishing the performers’
fees, detail their session duties. For example, singers must triple their