Klarinet Archive - Posting 000549.txt from 1996/04

From: "Daniel A. Paprocki" <dap@-----.US>
Subj: ICS and amateur clarinetists
Date: Fri, 19 Apr 1996 11:44:55 -0400

This is a question to the ICA. Why doesn't the Clarinet society have any
amateur clarinetist on their board, or as area reps? I've been a member
from almost the start and have always wondered why the hobby clarinetists
are (and I'll be blunt!!) IGNORED. They buy music, clarinets, reeds, and
the lastest clarinet thing-a-ma-jigs as much or more than the
professionals. Why do I get the feeling that they are the undiscovered
country?
I started as an amateur and evolved into the pro catagory. My wife
is what I call a professional amateur clarinetist. So, I have been on both
sides of the fence. Shouldn't the ICA have at least a amateur
representative? Am I wrong? Let's hear from the amateurs out there.
Maybe my soap box is sinking?
Let's face it a doctor or lawyer who plays in a comunity band is
going to have more disposable money to buy a new clarinet or new
mouthpieces than a college professor. Amateur players also go to symphony
concerts. How many college profs buy season tickets? I'm not riding on
college profs (hopefully I'm be one very soon) but my point is don't forget
those people who play the clarinet for the love of it - they don't have to
make a living at it. Give them a voice or at least talk to them at
conferences.
When I've gone to conferences, I've noticed a definite strata of
clarinetist. Level one, performers and college profs. Level two, college
students. Level three, amateurs going to recitals, buying things, and
having fun trying different mouthpieces, reeds, and clarinets. The one
conference that I love and feel that this strata doesn't exist at is the
Oklahoma symposium put on by Dave Etheridge at the U of OK. Amateurs and
pros mix at breakfast and during the day. There is no pecking order.
Someone stop me!!! More coffee!! Let's hear it amateurs, pros,
and whoever. Am I wrong? Light them flamethrowers.

Dan (I'm back)

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Daniel A. Paprocki
dap@-----.us

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