Additionally, there is money to be made. Students generally are required to record their recitals. Oftentimes the performance program utilizes tech program students to do the recording, but there's not always enough, or any, recording students to do the actual work. Additionally, it's typically required that the students pay for the recording work. Soooo, opportunity.
Hang a flyer advertizing your skillz at the local college/univ that has music performance program. I've done a bunch of opera recital recording (typically running blumlein on stage/lip at about 6'^). I charge a $100 flat rate for record, post production, track and transfer, and provide a wav and flac disc to the student. Generally rave reviews, of the likes of "awesome, and certainly better than the student recordist who f'd up my spring recital from last year, and $50 less, to boot!!!" And once you get one good student, they're good at recommending you to others. Last spring I had to turn some folks away because I'd already be booked on a particular night.
Heard some amazing and inspiring work doing this. Also suffered through some sheer horror. Preponderance has been very good, though, and the money's been a nice little gear purchase funding source!! I'd have been happy to do it for free, actually, but the students made it clear that, at least at the two programs for which I've worked in Minneapolis, they're required to pay.
Another benefit is you can cozy up to the accompanists who can (a) refer you to other students, (b) turn you on to other events of interest, and (c) blow your mind at how good they are.
