Did a concert for a senior living home today.

[beethovenfan01]

Hello.

Today I and a friend played for two hours at a retirement home/memory care center today, and it was so wonderful to do, and I really enjoyed it. They all loved my classical repertoire and were sad when I had to leave. It made me feel so good!!! 

But I have a few questions about this. The concert today was for community service, and it was my first time setting one up myself. Doing it for free makes everything easier, but in the future, I want to see about making money on this route, especially to assist in paying for college (and a car!!!). How do I go about this? What do I need to be aware of?

Also, where are other places I can get gigs that are looking for classical pianists, besides retirement homes? I want to get more experience performing in general, as well as make a little money to help with college tuition and living expenses (I will also have a separate job, and hopefully a scholarship or two).

I appreciate any advice that anyone can give!

Thanks!

[Bob]

Churches.  Clubs (probably women's clubs).   Some of those might pay you with a gift or something too.

Christmas is coming up.

I saw someone playing on a little keyboard at a supermarket door once.  That looked kind of pathetic.  I could see it looking decent if it was presented well in a mall though, so it's not right in a store.  Or maybe if the store was something more than a supermarket.

[mjames]

If you're a straight male go for women's clubs (especially strip clubs), because duuuuuuude old women (late 20s-30s) will be all over you. Tight. And play jazz and pop arrangements. Trust me, you won't regret it...

[dogperson]

Most nursing homes will not have a fund to pay for entertainment.  If you are  looking for reimbursement, you would need to look at upscale retirement communities and assisted-living.  I would suggest also women centers and country clubs.   You might want to prepare a list of your repertoire and a simple business card

 Edited to Add:   This is what is true in my area, of course yours may differ.  You will need to test the waters at different places to see if they're willing to pay you

[beethovenfan01]

Well, you're right that I should not look for reimbursement from a nursing home. I am currently looking at a mix of memory-care centers and assisted living, so ...

Country clubs is a good idea.

Restaurants is a good idea too, if I can find one that is interested ...

Women's centers???   LOL, why does this keep coming up???

[dogperson]

I can only speak for my area: memory  care centers and assisted living centers generally have volunteers that perform. In fact, my teacher volunteers at one weekly and not to play classical music but the old standard favorites.  If you're looking at performing classical for payment,! you need to find an upscale assisted-living or retirement community that might have funds.   And the average age women centers? I can assure you it will not be 20 to 30 but as they collect dues,  you might find an opportunity there  

[visitor]

they money is in teaching, so market yourself and get some students, and accompanying/collaboration.  As said above playing for  church service/hymns etc is good too. if you have good jazz pop and comp skills like also said above restaurants, hotel lobbies, etc.

[Bob]

Weddings too.

I thought of women's groups because I got paid by one once.  Would a men's group?  I've never heard of it.