Klarinet Archive - Posting 000447.txt from 1994/10

From: HardReed@-----.COM
Subj: Re: To Professional Clarinett...
Date: Mon, 31 Oct 1994 09:51:59 -0500

Chris,

To preface what I am yet to say, let me introduce myself (briefly!). I have
been playing clarinet now since I was but a lad of ten years (complex
mathematical operations put that at 32 years and counting!), most of those at
the professional level (whatever that means!). I still love what I do, and
feel fortunate that I am able to feed and clothe and shelter my family with
what I earn from playing clarinet.

But I am one of the lucky ones, as far as that goes. I was able to land a
symphony job at a rather early age and have spent most of my career in a
major orchestra, in a very good clarinet section, in an absolutely terrific
concert hall, with a great conductor (you won't hear me saying THAT too often
about condictors!). Yes, I am definitely above average as a
musician/clarinetist, but I am not so egocentric and arrogant to think for a
moment that I might have been the finest person to audition that particular
day for that particular position--I suppose that I was the best one the
happened to fit what that orchestra was searching for THAT DAY, and I feel
fortunate to have been able to remain a part of that section for these many
years.

OK, enough about that! Yes, IT IS HARD to land a good gig! You already have
a terrific attitude about your life i.e., " I really love playing the
clarinet, and I want to spend my short time on this planet doing something I
love doing." Not writing this as a discouragement, what you need to add to
your enthusiasm and optimism is a small dose of reality.

The competition is tough--very tough! It's basically like athletics in a
sense: a standout high school athlete might secure a scholarship to play
football at the university level and, if fortunate, might make it to the NFL
(depending on your definition of fortunate!).

The difference is that there a zillions of music schools and college music
departments who want you to attend their school, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR LEVEL OF
PROFICIENCY! The sad truth is that they need the bodies there to maintain
their existence. You may or may not ever get honest feedback about your
ability to play OR your ability to secure a career position. This is your
first hurdle.

Assuming you are proficient, have the tools to do the job, and the proper
intestinal fortitude to survive school, well...then comes auditions! Again,
the competition is fierce. It's basically supply and demand (as in most
other job markets): one position open with over 1-200 candidates vying for
the honor! You might get five to ten minutes to "show your stuff" in an
audition. If the audition committee hears something they like about your
playing, you may be called back for a semi-final or final round where the
music director/conductor of the orchestra will listen to you. If you are
selected at that point, you may be asked to play with the orchestra for a
week or two to see how you fit even further (you have to remember that you're
attempting to enter into an established situation with an established concept
of sound and style!). If appointed to a position, you still have to make it
through the tenure process....and on and on!

Is it worth it? Hell, yes! You can make a decent living (depending on your
assessment of what "decent" is) in a major symphony, and make a go at it in a
regional orchestra. There are always teaching and chamber music opportunties
to explore for both experience and income. (I do very little teaching right
now, but play a LOT of chamber music, which I dearly love!).

You asked about stability, and I would be remiss if I failed to point out
that in many places there is a real assault on the arts and that has hurt
many arts organizations, including symphonies. They cost a lot to support,
no doubt about it, and many jobs have been severely cut back and/or
eliminated (a problem not solely inherent to this field, unfortunately).

Not knowing anything about you (such as your ability, age, etc.), all I can
advise is that you pursue your dreams; otherwise, you'll never know, right?
But do yourself a big favor and don't pursue a career in
music/performance/anything if you are going to ignore all else that is
important in your intellectual development. In other words, keep all your
avenues open--you're still young.

Dedicating yourself to playing clarinet is very hard and very time consuming.
I hardly remember my life B.C. (before clarinet), but I, as I said, still
love it, and don't regret what has become of MY life because of it.

Best of luck, Chris!

Larry Liberson
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
<Hard Reed@-----.com>