Gig Referral Service Client Instructions

The Gig Referral Service aims to provide Oberlin students with freelance performance opportunities, as well as a chance to help students develop professional and career skills. The service also aims to provide community members with quality musicians at a competitive cost.

The Gig staff would be happy to talk with you about the event planning process, however we suggest that clients post/request musicians no more than 4 – 6 months in advance. In our experience, this should allow ample time to find qualified performers, make arrangements, and sign contracts. It also minimizes cancellations, substitutions, and confusion. Clients can expect to be contacted by a number of interested musicians, depending on the information that is provided. When a match is made clients will enter into a contract with the musicians. Please note that the Gig Referral Service does not directly issue contracts, nor are we responsible for the contractual negotiations made between clients and musicians.  This is a service to the community – therefore, the Conservatory and Gig Referral Service do not guarantee:

• that students will be available for the performance on the date you propose
• that we have students that perform the genre or kind of music you are seeking
• that we have the instrumentation that you are seeking

While Oberlin expects its students will uphold the highest professional and performance standards, neither Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music nor the Gig Referral Service can assume responsibility for student misconduct, including cancellations, no-shows, etc.

Before completing the online form please think through the following questions:

• Do you have the date, time, and location of the event solidified?
• Is the location/venue suitable for musicians? Is there a piano?
• Do you know what type of music you would like performed or what instrumentation would suit the event? For suggestions click here or call us, 775.8686!

Once your gig is posted, students are free to independently search the listings for gigs that they are interested in. It is highly probable that multiple students who are interested in your opportunity will contact you. You should request a biography (bio) from the individual or ensemble and ask for a recording if they have one. This information will help you choose the performer that is right for the occasion.

Think through all of the performance details and be very clear with expectations prior to signing a contract – when to be at the location, what to wear, is there a dress rehearsal you would like the musicians to attend, what kind of music do and do want/not want, any special requests, is there a possibility of overtime, etc. It is a fair request for students to ask for a percentage of the fees to be paid upfront. This guarantees the students that they will be paid, at least in part, if the gig never occurs. It is also a fair request for students to ask to be compensated for travel if the location is a significant distance from campus. Students are requested to have reliable transportation to and from performances. Once the terms of the gig have been decided upon between you and the student(s), they should provide you with a contract. Please read it carefully, if it is correct both you and the students will sign and retain copies. Additional Information:

• Please provide explicit directions and travel times to the students so there are no late arrivals because they got lost.
• If students will be using a piano at the location please contact the venue to be sure that the piano has recently been tuned.