<p>My son continued to take voice lessons with his pre-college teacher - but they worked on putting together a book of wedding/funeral solos (so he can make some money in college) and some “just for fun” stuff. His college voice teacher also assigned some rep and exercises to work on over the summer. Besides voice lessons, S2 worked part-time in a recording studio and performed in summer stock (Fame! - one of the worst musicals ever written, IMO 
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<p>megpmom that’s a great idea. The book of wedding/funeral songs. I’m gonna suggest that to my D’s voice teacher. Thanks.</p>
<p>^ He also had some simple business cards made up and a demo CD. Then he made the rounds of all the churches in the area around his college and spoke to the music directors, gave out cards and CDs. He’s gotten a few one-off gigs (weddings) and now a paid section leader job, which provides plenty of spending money. </p>
<p>I’ll be with NYO-USA this summer! I might miss college orientation depending on where I end up but I think it will be well worth it.</p>
<p>Regarding the potential for church gigs while at college: it’s very dependant upon location and the jobs usually go to the older students first (my D was able to finally land a regular position when a girl she knew graduated and relocated). There may be soloist or section leader jobs but guys stand a much better chance at getting any job just because there are much fewer of them! Of course it’s going to be easier in some locations than in others and some churches don’t “hire out”, preferring to stick with their own members to fill the positions.
Weddings are tough to get regardless since everyone seems to have a relative who thinks they can sing and will gladly donate their “talents” to the bride and groom; funerals tend to go to the established members of the church choirs who have established relationships with the parishioners.
Be sure what you’re getting into also; very often, soloists and section leaders are required to be present for big holidays. Both of my D’s flat mates ( tenors) had to remain in the city until Christmas afternoon because they had to be at their church jobs- D was lucky in that she sings at her old position when she is home on breaks because the other girl wants to be able to spend holidays at home too!</p>
<p>My two cents from the south. I must say I am intrigued by the whole “paid church” thing. That is not common in the south. I have asked around since I read this, and no one around here is paid except the choral director and pianist/organist and those positions tend to be long term. Interesting to know that students can be paid in some parts of the country.</p>
<p>Both of D’s church gigs were for long established churchs that had wealthy congregants and classically based music programs ( lots of Handel and Bach–no contemporary “praise” music). They generally needed a section leader, but also a soloist who was a good sight reader and could show up early Sunday ready to go at a moments notice. She was paid for Thurs evening rehearsals, holidays (yeah we havent had her home till Christmas night for some time), funerals and Sunday services. The best thing about some church gigs, like D’s, it frequently results in additional opportunities opportunities (new students and gigs outside of church), and teaches you to learn rep FAST. It kicked in a few months before grad school started and effectively paid her rent for the balance of school. And for the three years she was in town, plenty of choir directors around knew that they could plug her into their Messiah performances as the alto soloist at a moments notice. Like MM said–the jobs don’t fall from trees, she really had to search and fight hard to find the right position.</p>
<p>DD had a great church job for several years in Houston. A lot of churches pay section leaders there and hers paid for 2 each section. They were generally handed down from graduating or moving students to the next class, usually of graduate students or seniors. Good steady income paid her incidentals. She misses it. Since she moved she has only gotten some subbing and is looking for a steady one for next year. </p>
<p>S was hired as a musician for a string quintet last year for a church. It paid really well. He had to give it up this year though, since his junior year of high school is too crazy busy.</p>
<p>My son will be playing lots of gigs – restaurants, bars, festivals ---- and he is most excited about having some time for “his” music, as the past 2 years have been way too full of “other” music. So there will be lots of 18 hour-guitar-in-one-hand-laptop-in-the-other composing and recording sessions, followed by a sandwich, a nap, and more recording! lol</p>