What is the average fee that a professional violinist is paid to perform at weddings?

Answer 1

Does it have to be a professional? Personally I would check out a local college that has an orchestra and "discover" a poor student who would like to make a few bucks. Then you set your own rate... I think $20 an hour would be appropriate for a "non-professional".

I actually approached a street performing celloist during the Christmas holidays to find out if he played for any special occasions and I was surprized to find out he'd never done so. He was simply a college student home for the holidays trying to make a few bucks. Upon further discussion I asked if he'd be willing to play for a private dinner for two for my wife and I on our anniversary, to which he replied excitedly that he would. We exchanged phone numbers and now are just waiting on the appropriate date to set it up.

(I'm a hopeless romantic and I think there is something even more romantic in the context of helping out a young performer in conjunction with my special occassion.)

If you're insistant that it be a "professional", I'd think you'd be looking at a reasonable fee of at least $60 an hour or $200-$300 for an event.

Answer 2

Reading the comment below...20 dollars an hour isn't really acceptable for a professional OR a non-professional, either way it is a person having enough repitoire to play for an hour, which is worth a lot more than 20 dollars. For professionals it wont be by the hour, maybe minimum of about $200 for the whole thing, probably more, depending on the standard.

Answer 3

hello! i am a juilliard graduate & teacher, so i always am asked to play. usually, i get paid from $500-2000. but it depends on the couple. Are they rich? Are they poor? How much are they willling to spend? I get paid higher than a normal hired violinist, because i graduated from one of the best music colleges in the world. =D my friends that went to other colleges get paid about $350-1500. it really depends on the wedding however, if the couple is willing to hire professional violinists

Answer 4

I used to play french horn and am a graduate of a couple of conservatories, and I would say that it depends on the funds of the hiring person...Every city I played...the money paid varied due to the cost of living and inflation.......On average I would say I averaged between 200.00-1000.00 per wedding gig, and I played the Brahms trio at one gig...."piano, VIOLIN and horn" and the ensemble was paid 600.00 plus drinks and food, so it really varies. Get a different career if you want a steady income!!

Answer 5

Depends on where you are located and how "professional" you want. Prepare on a minimum of $50 at least plus tip.

Answer 6

At the least one hundred bucks in advance for sixty minutes and they had best feed you and provide you with beverage. When you get a good reputation you should bump up to $250.00.

Peace