Chamber orchestra for hire

Event organisers, wedding couples, companies, churches, councils, festivals and choirs that need live orchestral players.

A fee per booking, agreed upfront. From it you pay each player and cover travel and music, and keep the difference as your income.

• Strong musicianship and a network of reliable players
• Organising people, music and travel
• Talking to clients and quoting clearly

• Public liability insurance, and check whether players need instrument cover
• Music licensing: check with PRS for Music who is responsible for licences at each venue
• Whether your players count as self-employed for each job, check HMRC guidance
• Income is uneven, with busy seasons around weddings and Christmas and quiet gaps
• Use written booking terms that cover cancellations and deposits

Startup costs are estimates, typically around £300 to £2,500, depending on how much music, equipment and marketing you pay for. Most of your spend is likely to be on getting your name known.

Monthly revenue is an estimate, typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on how many bookings you win and the size of ensemble. Income is uneven, with busy seasons around weddings and Christmas and quiet gaps.

Check public liability insurance and whether players need instrument cover. Check with PRS for Music who is responsible for music licences at each venue, whether your players count as self-employed for each job using HMRC guidance, and use written booking terms.