Klarinet Archive - Posting 000443.txt from 1995/11

From: Hill Peter S <pshill@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Pit orchestras
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 1995 12:53:15 -0500

In New York the musicians are from Local 802 of the American Federation
of Musicians. In other locations they would be from the local in the
area in which the show was being produced/performed.

For the past 24 years I have been playing break-in companies on their way to
Broadway and the national touring companies of established New York shows.
They are writing many clarinet parts today that are just as good (and
just as demanding!) asmany of the ones from the good old days. The use of
synths has decimated the string section in many touring companies but
has made little inroads in the reed section, at least in the national
touring companies. There are still some "straignt Clarinet" books in
today's shows but if you really want to do pit work you must be a first
class doubler. The biggest shortage in the professional doubling world
at this time is the Reed 3 book; cl/Oboe/E. Horn/Tenor.

If I may inject a few words of advice; get the best instruments mony can
buy, study only with outstanding performing teachers, give up the rest of
your life for four years or so and then move to a city that has a healthy
theater season and join the AF of M.

Good luck!

Peter Hill
University of Delaware
On Sun, 26 Nov
1995, Nate wrote:

> Where do the major Broadway musicals get their pit orchestra players from?
>
> I've always enjoyed both acting and clarinet playing, and I wondered how
> realistic it would be to hope for a spot in the pit for a big production.
> It's too bad there aren't as many good clarinet parts being written into
> musicals like there were forty, fifty years ago. From what I gather, it's
> the same way for low brass, too. Damned synethesizers are taking over!
>
> --Nate
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> "Measure once, cut twice."
> nathan@-----.net/users/nathan
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>

   
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