Professional singers working in Christian worship have reported bullying, inappropriate comments, poor pay and alleged drunken behaviour, prompting a trade union to call for better working conditions.
Equity has introduced a new code of conduct for “liturgical singers”, including those hired by churches and cathedrals to sing at regular services, weddings, Christmas services and other events.
The union said members had raised concerns ranging from late and missing payments to inadequate travel arrangements and being required to wait in cold rooms between performances.
“Among the issues cited were unpaid cancelled work, late payments, being held in cold rooms between sets, bullying, alcohol between services leading to poor behaviour from engagers, travel expenses not being covered even when no public transport is available and more,” Equity said.
According to The Times, Equity said singers had also reported lunchtime alcohol consumption by some managers, followed by rude behaviour towards performers.
One member described their experience with a particular choral group as “dangerous”, citing alleged workplace bullying, inappropriate comments and failures to cover travel or accommodation costs.
The union told The Times that allegations included comments about teenage girls' clothing and the mistreatment of a female singer by a male director.
Some singers also claimed they had been dropped or not hired again after disagreements with clergy or those responsible for managing their work.
Equity's new code calls for churches and other organisations engaging liturgical singers to agree fees and cancellation arrangements in advance, make payments promptly and provide appropriate working conditions.
Singers should have somewhere warm to rest during breaks, as well as access to clean toilets and drinking water. The guidance also says travel arrangements should be considered for services held when public transport is unavailable, including late-night services.
Commercial performances and weddings should attract higher fees than ordinary services, according to the union, while arrangements around recording or livestreaming singers should also be agreed.
Lottie Stables, who represents singers and dancers at Equity, said the code had been designed to “ensure Equity’s members receive fair treatment when singing in religious services”.
Matthew Minter, a professional tenor and member of Equity's Liturgical Singers Network who helped develop the code, said it was intended to build on good practice already found within churches.
“The code celebrates and builds on best practice where it already exists, while also sending a clear signal to engagers about what dignity at work should look like for singers in this area of the profession,” he said.
Minter is also a vicar choral at Wells Cathedral, where director of music Tim Parsons welcomed the initiative.
“Professional singers play a hugely significant role in the musical heritage of our cathedrals, churches and chapels. I warmly welcome Equity’s work to promote fair and sustainable employment of singers in liturgical choirs,” Parsons said.
