The Scottish Federation
of Organists

page content last updated 25th March 2007

Recommended Salary Scales

 

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"Quartet" and its supplements, the official publication of the Salaries Committee of the SFO contains articles on salary scales, income tax, contracts of employment and duties of ministers, organists and congregations with regards to music in worship. Copies are available from the SFO Secretary, Mrs Bridget Black: Tel: 01463 230588; E-mail: archieblack@inbhirnis.fsnet.co.uk

Following increases of around 10% in each of 2004 and 2006 that had the effect of bringing the recommended scales up to modern levels, the Salaries Committee proposed to the full SFO Committee that the currency of the present scales should be extended by one year to 31st December 2008.  The full Committee unanimously accepted this proposal.

The following recommended salary scales have been compiled by the Salaries Committee of the Scottish Federation of Organists and have been endorsed by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. These scales came into effect on 1st January 2006 and will remain current until 31st December 2008 when a review and revision will have taken place.  The new scales will be relevant from 1st January 2009.

a) Churches without choirs
Salary £1,320 - £2,035 Deputy Fee £45

b) Churches with choirs making an occasional individual contribution to worship
Salary £2,035 - £3,245 Deputy Fee £45 - £60

c) Churches with choirs making a substantial individual contribution to worship
Salary £3,245 - £4,345 Deputy Fee £60 - £80

d) Churches with complete and competent choirs singing full choral services
Salary £4,345 - £6,490 Deputy Fee £80 - £90

e) Churches employing a full or part time professional director of music with extensive responsibilities are recommended to consider salary scales higher than scale d)
Salary £6,490+ Deputy Fee £90+

Notes:

1. These scales are calculated to give an increase of 10% based upon the Average Earnings Index.

2. There is a uniform approach to Deputy Fees, these now covering all church services, weddings and funerals.  Different services contain different emphases, but all are important and should receive equal treatment.

3. Recording fees remain unchanged:
The fee + 50% for sound recording
The fee + 100% for video recording

4. These scales are not mandatory.  They provide guidelines for churches throughout Scotland.  Whilst these scales are endorsed by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland it is hoped that they will also be endorsed on an inter-denominational basis.

5. If exceptional situations arise, which are not covered by these scales – for example, the number and nature of services within the Anglican and Roman Liturgies, or within Church of Scotland linked charges – then dialogue and negotiation are recommended as ways towards mutual agreement.  Organists should be prepared to be pro-active in such matters and not diffident concerning reference to these scales.

6. These scales exist to provide a working framework and to maintain reasonable standards of remuneration.  If there are musicians who are prepared to accept alternative remuneration, or to offer their services on a voluntary basis, then that is a matter for individual decisions and outwith the scope of this publication.

7. Churches that are experiencing financial difficulties or who do not wish to subscribe to these scales should not seek to engage deputies who do expect these scales to be observed.

8. It should not be necessary to emphasise that the labourer be worthy of hire.  Those who benefit from SFO scales should be competent to do so.

9. Copies of current Income Tax information kindly supplied by the Church of Scotland’s Financial Department may be obtained from the SFO Secretary.  Much useful information is also to be found in the recent publication Everything Else An Organist Should Know by Robert Leach & Barry Williams (ISBN 0-9550749-0-8, Organist Publications Ltd.) and members are recommended to obtain personal copies.

10. The current Church of Scotland Contract for Organists is now an extensive document containing sections applying to Duties, Salaries, Hours of Work, Holidays, Sickness Benefits, Expenses, Disciplinary Matters, Redress of Grievances, Protection of Children and Young People, Dress and Worship.  This is now a comprehensive document but there are areas that are perhaps ambiguous – Dress and Expenses, for example, and further negotiations may be necessary.

Not every church will adopt this contract and local variations exist.  These matters should be checked carefully before entering into employment.  Copies of the contract can be obtained from the Church of Scotland Legal Department at 121 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4YH (0131 225 5722).

11. Information is being compiled concerning Crematoria fees paid to organists.  Such fees currently range from £8.20 to £19.50.  This is a complex area of enquiry and a profile will be produced in due course.

12. These scales now remain relevant until January 2008, when a further review will take place.

Relevant and informed commentary is always welcome and should be addressed to Iain Galbraith, Convenor, via the SFO e-mail address publications@scotsorgan.org.uk

 

 

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