Freelance Musician

The idea many people hold of life as a freelance musician is glamorous, with travel to exotic places and meetings with fascinating people. Is this an accurate way to think of this occupation? Well, it's certainly true that professional musicians do get to experience many extraordinary moments throughout their careers. But these times must be backed up with countless hours spent practicing their art, studying musical styles, and engaging in mundane activities such as arranging for advertising and keeping their diaries up to date. The life of a freelance musician isn't all fun and games, recording sessions and standing ovations!
So, with so much hard work involved, is pursuing such a career worth it? Well, as with so many other things, that is a question we must all answer for ourselves. Because, notwithstanding all the perks and bonuses which come with such a lifestyle, being a freelance musician will only be truly rewarding if you truly love music.
Andrew Collis is one of those professionals whose love of his field shines through in his work. Andrew is a recorder teacher, but probably not like one you have ever encountered before. He acknowledges that the recorder has something of an image problem – likely as a result of those unenthusiastic primary school music lessons many of us will remember – and he is out to demonstrate that the recorder is a serious instrument, with serious possibilities.
As a freelance musician who is dedicated to his instrument, Andrew never passes up the opportunity to explore the possibilities of the recorder, or promote it in the public consciousness. His work includes giving presentations in schools and music clubs, one-on-one adult lessons and coaching, and performing with various groups and ensembles. A mark of his dedication is how he deftly hops between time periods – the recorder is an old instrument with a long history, and it has been used to play many styles of music with many kinds of accompaniment over the years. As a result, you may find Andrew playing medieval music with a harpsichord player one night, and jazz with a guitarist the next. As if all this were not enough, Andrew is also a multi-instrumentalist – he also plays cornet and horn in brass bands.
The life of a freelance musician is nothing if not busy! But between demonstrating, teaching and performing, Andrew has still found time to make recordings with other outstanding players, and these both showcase his talents and make for a pleasurable listening experience. More information about Andrew’s work, his collaborations and his products are available elsewhere on this site, and make fascinating reading.
When you love what you do, it doesn't feel like work at all. Possibly the biggest challenge in the life of a freelance musician is taking responsibility for every aspect of your career. Musicians can only make a living exploring their art if they have an audience that is willing to listen. You can get in touch with Andrew online to book lessons, performances, or discuss any other proposal you may have.