Klarinet Archive - Posting 000590.txt from 1996/04

From: Andrew Thompson <awthomp@-----.CA>
Subj: Re: Amateur players and paying gigs
Date: Fri, 19 Apr 1996 18:50:20 -0400

> Your right. My criticism is aimed at the ICA. But, I'll warn you,
> you're treading on very thin ice when you bring up amateur players taking
> paying jobs (below union scale) from union members. When an amateur gets
> paid to pay, they are taking work away from a professional player that
> would like to work for a living as a musician. . If you want to get paid for
playing, join the
> musicians union and compete against professional - if you get the job fine,
> congrat! But at least don't undercut someone for "fun" money.
>
Dan:

I dont believe that belonging to the union defines whether or not you are
a professional. I too want to make a living in music. We have union guys
here who make 70 and 80 g's a year, plus teaching etc. The rest of us
take what we can get - union or not. WHY would I pay all kinds of money
to the union so I can get jobs I would have gotten anyway? I think the
union does as much harm as good...and judging by the fall in members here
I think I'm not alone.

Andrew Thompson