Klarinet Archive - Posting 000029.txt from 1993/09

From: Carolyn Miyashita <CMIYA@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: No Hard Feelings???
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1993 23:06:06 -0400

Apparently, there are strong feelings concerning "who may be among the
best." I represent someone who presumably is among the best and who
wants to immigrate to the U.S. There is a very convenient category of
visas for individuals who are recognized as having risen to the top of
their professions. It is very quick and the individual sponsors himself.
That is quite significant as the person immigrates based on his or her
expertise without a separate sponsor. Normally someone would have to
have an orchestra or university sponsor him and the paperwork and red
tape can be tiresome and discourages those who might actually wish to
hire a foreign musician either for a short period or even for a contract
of a year or more. If the person can show they have risen to the top of
his field, then he can be given a green card and work where he wishes
and the process is quite efficient. Unfortunately, the INS does not
always recognize which orchestras are internationally prominent nor do
they even know who top conductors are. An independent body or printed
resource is more objective and generally acceptable as being less self-
serving. I could not agree more that often there are many unknown
people who may surpass those who may have preceded them and garnered
awards. All professions unfortunately suffer from competition that makes
it difficult for all those with talent to rise to the top on the basis of
merit. It is human nature for those on top to protect their positions as
they too have worked to get to where they are. I did not wish to start
an argument over how unfair advancement and recognition of ability is. I
think everyone knows that it often is and perhaps deciding who are considered
"best" is quite subjective. My goal is to help one of your own who is
quite deserving. If anyone knows of any organization or documentation
that contains information concerning individuals that are considered to
be "among the top clarinetists" I would appreciate knowing about it.

Carolyn Miyashita