About Us

The Musician’s Answering Service was founded in 1976 by Richard Smith and was the first diary service to cater for both the orchestral and session world.  As a busy freelance oboist he recognised the difficulties musicians had trying to balance their playing commitments whilst ensuring they were available when fixers called.  Thirty nine years later and now supporting over 1000 clients, MAS has established a reputation within the classical music business for professionalism and reliability.

A diary service is like a PA handling all your professional enquiries, ensuring that you do not lose out on work because you are not immediately contactable, and taking care of all the necessary communication between yourself and the orchestras who book you, giving you the time to concentrate on playing. In today’s competitive freelance world a diary service is an indispensable tool for the successful musician.

 

why choose MAS?

You are in control. Our experienced team will take into account your personal preferences and priorities, enabling us to think as you do. We will follow your instructions regarding the handling of your diary down to the finest detail.

We contact you immediately, wherever you are. In most cases we are able to get work messages out within minutes of taking them, using mobile phones, landlines, text messages, email and fax, either at home or abroad.

You can leave the decision making to us. MAS is unique in that you can instruct us to accept work on your behalf. This means that all you need to do is pick up the details, the work is already confirmed.

We provide a personal service by highly trained staff.  Although we now look after the livelihoods of over 1000 clients, we pride ourselves on maintaining the personal touch that is so important to us.

Your diary is confidential. We understand the importance of protecting the professional privacy of all our clients, and no unnecessary information is given out about your commitments or location. 

You will be informed of all enquiries, not just bookings.  We will inform you if a fixer has checked your availability or if we have turned work down on your behalf.  This way, you can ensure we are always making the right decision for you.

We are continually improving our service.  Our systems and working practices are constantly reviewed and enhanced to ensure a consistently high level of support to both musicians and fixers. 

You can view your diary online. With MASOnline you can view your messages and edit your diary using our unique computerised diary system.  You can also use MASOnline on your mobile, smartphone or PDA – giving you access to your diary anywhere in the world, at any time.

We support you throughout your career. Whether you are still at college, a recent graduate or an established musician interested in expanding your playing experience, we are able to offer advice to help you achieve this. See our Support page for more details

We offer a discount for young professionals designed to help you establish yourself in the early stages of your career. For more details, click here.

much more than a Diary service

Subscription with MAS includes numerous other benefits, at no extra cost.

Inclusion on our Client Directory. Placing you in the promotional shop window of the music profession.

Inclusion in our CV Publication. Get yourself noticed by one hundred fixers nation-wide. New CVs are included in our quarterly mailing; revisions go in our yearly publication.  These are distributed along with our client lists.

Inclusion in our Ensemble Directory. Accessible from our website, this service has been developed to support the increasing number of clients who have broadened their playing expertise, providing music for functions, corporate entertainment and weddings.  

Inclusion in our Teaching Directory.  Publicise your teaching practice on our website, giving you another means of gaining new students, at no extra cost.

Access to our Orchestral Fixers List. A list of one hundred fixers who regularly use MAS, including Symphony and Chamber Orchestra, Ballet and Opera Companies, Period Instrument Groups and Modern Ensembles. Vital for your marketing campaign, and informing fixers you are now a member of MAS.

Quarterly Newsletter - Keeping you up to date on MAS developments, as well as news from your colleagues.  Advertising in our newsletter gives you the opportunity to promote your latest project or recording, or give your new address to over 1000 musicians and fixers

Maternity Benefit Scheme - When your career is interrupted by having a baby, MAS will help bridge the gap by giving you 3 months free service.

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Handling the greater market share of professional musicians means that being with MAS gives you the best opportunity to make new contacts and pick up last minute work through availability lists.  We are able to offer fixers either instant computer generated availability lists, or personally tailored lists according to their requirements.  Our diary system is linked to our Web CV pages, so we can instantly inform fixers of your playing experience.

With double the client base of our competitors, we are able to attract a larger number of enquiries so fixers and colleagues enjoy the convenience of our booking service to cover last minute problems

For information on Joining MAS, please click here.