Manchester Camerata
Updated: 16 October 2026 | 17:44 PM
Agreement
An agreement between Manchester Camerata and Musicians' Union for self-employed orchestral musicians.
Rates of pay for freelance players effective from 1 December 2025
Since 1 June 2026, Manchester Camerata have implemented an additional 1% fee increase above and beyond the 2% implemented on 1 December 2025. This increase applies to Freelance Concert Rates, Chamber Music and Community Work, covered by clauses 1 – 3 of the collective agreement.
The tables below sets out the rates that were paid between 1 December 2025 and 31 May 2026, and the rates that are payable between 1 June 2026 and 30 November 2026.
Concert rates (no Tutti or Section Principal)
A concert of up to three hours in length with a rehearsal of up to three hours in length on the same day
| Concerts |
1 Dec 2025 |
1 June 2026 |
| Sub-Principal |
£162.20 |
£163.82 |
| Principal |
£188.65 |
£190.54 |
Single call (3 hours) on a day other than concert day (60% of the appropriate concert fee)
| Single call |
1 Dec 2025 |
1 June 2026 |
| Sub-Principal |
£97.32 |
£98.29 |
| Principal |
£113.19 |
£114.32 |
Community work
| 1 hour session (online meetings, planning/preparation time) |
1 Dec 2025 |
1 June 2026 |
| Standard fee |
£32.46 |
£32.79 |
| 3 hour session (the minimum payable for attending a community site) |
1 Dec 2025 |
1 June 2026 |
| Standard fee |
£81.17 |
£81.98 |
| Project leader |
£97.40 |
£98.37 |
| 4 hour session |
1 Dec 2025 |
1 June 2026 |
| Standard fee |
£113.63 |
£114.77 |
| Project leader |
£136.36 |
£137.72 |
Chamber music
| 1 Dec 2025 |
1 June 2026 |
| £204.00 |
£206.04 |
Distance and travel
| Distance (where transport or travel fare is provided) |
Travel (where transport is NOT provided) |
| 19p per mile |
38p per mile |
Overnight
| Basic |
M25 Supplement |
| £70.00 |
£25.00 |
Late return
| Midnight - 12:30am |
12:30 - 1:00am |
1:00 - 2:00am |
| £5.25 |
£10.50 |
£15.75 |
Contact details
Orchestra Manager: Jo Watson
Manchester Camerata, The Monastery, 89 Gorton Lane, Manchester M12 5WF
0161 226 8696
JWatson@manchestercamerata.com
MU Steward: Dan Storer