Musician Referral Service

The Bienen School of Music receives many requests from individuals and businesses interested in hiring a single musician or musical ensemble. If you are registered, you have the opportunity to add to your immediate income, gain valuable performing or teaching experience, learn to run your own small business, and begin to network into the Chicago musical scene. Current students and alumni are eligible for this program.

Register for the Musician Referral Service

What kind of musicians do people want to hire?

  • Solo and ensemble performers for parties, weddings, receptions, restaurants, churches, and orchestra substitutes

  • Accompanists

  • Studio teachers, both children and adults, beginners through advanced -- on all instruments

  • Coaches (voice, theory, composition, etc.)

  • Arrangers and Copyists

How does it work?

When someone requests to hire musicians, the Bienen School serves as a referral service and not a booking agency. Each client will be given at least three names with phone numbers of individual musicians or groups that could meet their needs. The client will then contact the musicians. We make every effort to rotate the names so all get equal opportunities.

When you accept a job, the negotiations and contract are up to you. Northwestern does not set your fees. If you are not sure what to charge for your services, talk to other students or check with your studio teacher. This should be done before you get that first call. Negotiating is a part of any contract, but you should know what the going rates are and what you're willing to accept for a given job.

Note: Remember to update your information (email hire-musician@northwestern.edu) if you no longer want to be considered for gigs.

Referral Tips