Adjustment and extension of the SMV tariff regulations

The SMV pay scales are the result of a careful calculation that takes numerous factors into account. They are regularly adjusted to ensure that they remain realistic for musicians and reflect professional and social changes. The tariffs have already been increased recently to bring them into line with the rising cost of living. A new version of the tariff regulations with revised wording was recently published and will apply from September 1 of this year. In addition, new tariffs were introduced for shorter assignments and for audio and audiovisual recordings of ensembles of up to 12 musicians (BK and CK tariffs, which also apply when rehearsals and concerts are recorded or filmed). Additional information has also been added at the level of remuneration and expenses. The PDF document with the tariff regulations can be found on the SMV website by clicking on "Services" and then on "Tariffs". On the same page you will find the correspondingly updated online tariff calculator, which is useful for both musicians and event organizers. Incidentally, all of these tariffs apply to any style of music, not just classical music.

Once again, we must remember how important it is to set minimum rates in order to prevent wage dumping. Nobody would think of underpaying an engineer or a teacher with a university degree, even though their earnings are often at least double those of a freelance professional musician. The latter have both artistic and technical skills at a high level and have completed a university education, often with an additional specialization. Therefore, the rates set by the SMV represent the minimum level of fair compensation for musical services on a case-by-case basis and should be taken into account by all concert and project organizers.