Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 204
•
Trim: 6⅜ x 9½
978-1-5381-0675-4 • Hardback • November 2017 • $111.00 • (£85.00)
978-1-5381-0676-1 • Paperback • November 2017 • $51.00 • (£39.00)
978-1-5381-0677-8 • eBook • November 2017 • $48.50 • (£37.00)
David R. Williams is a former professional musician with a doctorate in music and in law. He has lectured on music industry law at Yale University, Tanglewood Music Center, Manhattan School of Music, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the Crane Institute for Music Business and Entrepreneurship at SUNY Potsdam, among other institutions. He also serves as company manager for TriCities Opera in Binghamton, New York. Visit https://TheEnterprisingMusician.com/ to learn about his workshops and consulting work and to explore additional resources.
Foreword - Stephanie Blythe
Introduction
PART I: CONTRACT LAW AND THE AMERICAN LEGAL SYSTEM
Chapter One—A Brief Overview of the American Legal System
Chapter Two—Contract Basics
Chapter Three—Breach of Contract (When Things Go Wrong)
PART II: THE NUTS & BOLTS OF CONTRACT INTERPRETATION
Chapter Four—Interpreting Contract Language: 8 Tips for Getting Started
Chapter Five—Clauses Commonly Found in Musicians’ Contracts
Chapter Six—A Step-by-Step Guide for Analyzing Your Contracts
PART III: PERFORMERS’ CONTRACTS
Chapter Seven—Musicians’ Engagement (“gig”) Contracts
Chapter Eight—Personal Representation
PART IV: RESOURCES
Chapter Nine—Self Help
Index
Williams' book is...a gift to performers. The Enterprising Musician's Guide to Performer Contracts provides working musicians clear guidance that is crucial for a performance career.
— Classical Singer Magazine
David Williams demystifies the performance contract process with his clear explanations and pithy examples, and in doing so, he empowers young musicians to pursue their dreams. This book is required reading for serious performers.
— Lynn Eustis, author, The Singer’s Ego
Enlightening and invaluable. Williams shines a spotlight on how to navigate the business of a successful performing career, empowering you to make informed decisions with confidence.
— John Churchwell, head of music staff, San Francisco Opera
Comprehensive and easily comprehendible, this book is a real deal changer. The large numbers of examples add clarity, demystify, personalise and empower. A MUST for artists of every age and situation. With precision, love and passion, David Williams has written a profoundly important book
— Margot Garrett, Grammy award–winning international performance and recording collaborative pianist and faculty, The Julliard School
As a freelance musician negotiating my early career, The Enterprising Musician's Guide to Performer Contracts is the book I wished had existed. Smart and concise, it is the indispensable tool to help musicians negotiate the business side of their art.
— Jamie Schmidt, M.M., music director and conductor, The Lion King national tour