Membership Fee

Why do we pay a membership fee?

Membership fees cover the running costs of the organisation – from rehearsal space and conductor fees to insurances, website hosting and everything else required to keep an organisation like ours up and running. All members who have not handed in their notice as defined in the association’s charter are required to pay membership fees at the beginning of a year and as such have the possibility to attend rehearsals and participate in the ESME concerts.

How much are membership fees?

From 01.01.2024 we will have an annual membership fee of EUR 170,- (full) and EUR 90,- (unemployed/ students) which is payable by all members at the beginning of the year, irrespective of the number of ensembles you participate in.

Until the end of 2023 we have a split version of fees and subscriptions, details here:

Until 31.12.2023, membership fees are EUR 50,- per year for full payers, EUR 30,- for unemployed/students and are valid until December 31st of that year.

I’m an existing member, when do I need to pay membership fees?

The membership fee must be paid annually by all active members at the beginning of the year (January), and are valid until 31st December. Active members are all members who have not officially handed in their notice in writing to resign from the association as stated in the charter. You will receive an invoice to remind you to pay.

Why do we pay membership fees?

Membership fees cover the operational costs of the club such as insurance, legal and accounting fees that are required to operate the organization. They must be paid by all members who have not cancelled their membership in an orderly manner (as defined in the charter) to the end of the previous year.

How do I pay my membership fees?

You can pay your fees by bank transfer to the ESME account, given at the bottom of the page. Each member should pay separately, even if paying from the same bank account as another member.

Subscriptions

What are subscriptions and why do we pay them?

All musicians who attend any rehearsals and/or perform in ESME concerts or gigs must pay subscriptions to cover the costs of the rehearsals, music, and all other costs relating directly to making music with ESME. Each member should pay separately, even if paying from the same bank account.

Until 31.12.2023, the subscription level is EUR 60,- per season for full payers and EUR 30,- for unemployed/students (please show us your registration documents).
Newly enrolled members are granted a discounted rate for their first ever season with us, irrespective of whether you join us in the first week of the season or just two weeks before a concert. As soon as you join up you will receive an invoice.
We will send out invoices to all registered members at the beginning of each season. Should you not be participating, please then inform us in writing and we will cancel the subscription invoice for that season.
At the beginning of each year everybody will receive a full invoice. Should you further require a reduced invoice, please supply us with proof of student status or unemployment and we will adjust the invoice accordingly.

What if I play in multiple ensembles?

Members participating in multiple ensembles only pay the subscription amount once.

Do I have to pay if I’m not attending rehearsal regularly?

Successful concerts and gigs require regular rehearsal attendance by all members so subscriptions are not prorated based on attendance. Subscriptions are payable to cover a number of things which are irrelevant of attendance. If you are actively participating in any concert or gig within a season or you regularly attend rehearsals without performing, we expect you to participate in financing the season through your subscription payments.

How do I pay my subscriptions?

You can pay your subscriptions by bank transfer to the ESME account, given at the bottom of the page.

We split the year into two seasons and any participation within the seasons (Jan – Jun; Jul – Dec) requires payment of that entire season. The amount payable per year can vary according to our budget.
From 2019 onwards we will only be offering a season payment for subscriptions. You will receive an invoice at the beginning of each season, which will be cancelled if you inform us in writing that you are not participating in the season. Please note that subscription payments cannot be transferred between seasons or refunded once the season is over.
It will no longer be possible to pay an annual or monthly amount.

ESME e.V. Bank Account

Name: ESME e.V.