Advice from anyone who leads music sessions

[beckie]

Hi,
I was the student doing the placement back in january, and I have now graduated and am looking to start my own music session business-type thing, for example, going into residential homes and doing beneficial and fun musical activities for an hour or so. I have no idea where to start but have a few questions to anyone else who does this kind of thing.

How much is an acceptable amount to charge for sessions?

Do I need insurance and where can I get my CRB? (I've been on the website but it seems I can only do it through someone/something else)

Any other general information for this kind of thing?

I'm quite business minded and have already set up most of the basic things, and have all equipment and session plans organised, it's just the 'grown-up' stuff I'm not quite sure how to handle.

[grove]

Hello Beckie , WOW ! sounds like you are going into a worth while Job & am sure the Residents will benifit from it ( work in Kitchen at E M I N Home ) & when we can we have Musicians in ( not often tho down to cost etc ) & most of the Residents benfit/enjoy it !

Sorry you were asking for help/ advice am not able to help , tho you were asking about the C R B Checks these are normally done by the Company that Employs you , gess you will need a special type ? or a seperate C R B for each Home you work in ( must be a way round it )

Love & Support in your New Venture ! & hope you have some proper replies soon !

Love Grove x x

[susana53]

Hi and well done for getting this far! I think that most of the entertainers that go into the homes that I work in charge between £35 and £50 per session.
You will most likely need public liability just to cover you if someone trips over your equipment or something like that!!
As for CRB. Yes it's true that you can't apply yourself and officially I think you should have one for each home you go to, as they are non transferable, which is just not practical. Having said that, I don't think you need one as you will not be dealing with individuals, but working with a group.[ Don't quote me on this but that is what I've been led to believe.]
I would be interested to hear what others who are more knowledgeable have to say on this.

[maryw]

Hello Beckie, Congratulations on graduating and good luck with your new venture. I am a professional musician so can give you some advice. It is well worth becoming a member of ISM (Incorporated Society of Musicians); http://www.ism.org/join/graduate_membership
The ISM may also be able to advise on fees. They also offer free legal cover, which is brilliant for so many things.

They have a special rate of £60 per year for recent graduates. The membership includes public liability insurance. If you request membership of their private teachers' register, they will undertake a CRB check for you. I think also you can register on the aural training site
http://www.hofnote.com/
and they will also undertake a CRB check for you (for a fee)

Hope that helps and good luck!

[BeckyJan]

Hello beckie:
You may get more information on this directly from the Alzheimer's Society. I suggest you ring the Helpline: 0845 300 0336.

[beckie]

Thanks everyone for the advice! I found a society my lecturer told me about called MusicLeader.net which is a really useful site for anyone doing community music sessions, so that helped me a lot, also I managed to get public liability insurance through soundsense, which is another community music site and I think I can do my CRB through them too!

I shall keep you all updated with how I'm doing, I've almost finished my website so will post the link once it's ready!

Thankyou! xx