Klarinet Archive - Posting 000739.txt from 1996/03

From: ALLISON NELSON <nelsona@-----.NET>
Subj: Non performance majors in college ensembles
Date: Wed, 27 Mar 1996 16:11:01 -0500

In reply to Nate Burke's question re: whether you can get a chance to play
in college ensembles if you are not a music performance major...
I think you simply have to gather up your courage & go and ask! The very
worst they can say is no.. and then at least you would know their policy &
go on & look for another group. I have seen situations locally where the
university did not have enough clarinet players (& took lots of players both
from within the university & the local community). In other years they were
swamped & didn't need additional people.

If the answer turns out to be no...start looking for other opportunities.
If there are other communities within driving distance & you if really want
to play badly there might be something in another town. A 50 member wind
ensemble that I play in consists of a variety of people like yourself who
have other careers, are music educators, have performed professionally & in
some cases decided on a drastic lifestyle change. The common interest is in
playing for the pure enjoyment of the music, with a high calibre of
musicianship. In the case of the group that I play in, no one gets paid, we
do it because we love it! and finances are not a huge deterrant as from the
first the group has been self supporting. if you can't find anything maybe
some of you could get together and start something yourselves! If a big
group isn't of interest play chamber music!

Someone also asked about how to get the best teacher in your area . I'm not
sure who asked as I did not save last weeks discussions.. At the risk of
sounding repetitive...bury all your fears & doubts and look their phone
number up in the phone book and call and ask them if they would be willing
to take a new student. If their number is unlisted call the local university
as many professional clarinetist teach as well and either ask for their
office or leave a message for them to call back. You sometimes have to call
be more than once to get a message through the switchboard to them & don't
for a minute think that just because they haven't returned your call the
answer is no. They are extremely busy people & I've found sometimes just
didn't get a chance to get back to you yet. Be polite, explain your goals,
& if you are lucky they will say yes. If you have to play for them think of
the fact that you will have to play at every lesson too! This is no
different! If you are fortunate enough to have them say yes, then you can
be assured that you have something that they feel they can do something
with! Even if they say no ultimately, you should keep in mind that they may
have other things in their lives that may have influenced their final
decision as to whether to take additional students. Ask for their
suggestions re: other teachers who might be able to help. Don't get
discouraged!

I guess my point is... if you really have a strong desire to play and learn
there are opportunities... & you have to either find them or make them yourself.
I probably shouldn't talk as I have personally gone through every doubt &
fears in the book a thousand times myself. I am fortunate to have an
excellent teacher (principal in the symphony here) & my previous teacher was
same calibre & yes I did exactly what I said above!

P.S. After all the conversation about the merits of using the instrument
specified...I want to experiment with the answer myself so does anyone out
there have a C clarinet with nice sound, needing a good home? If so please
e-mail info.

Allison Nelson

N