Klarinet Archive - Posting 000125.txt from 1998/01

From: "David S. Naden" <dnaden@-----.net>
Subj: Re: STOP THIS ARGUMENT
Date: Sun, 4 Jan 1998 03:58:40 -0500

Josh--

Debates are fine. But...This particular thread has strayed far from the intended
purpose of the list. The debate has never discussed the issues pertaining to the
auditioning and hiring of clarinet players, only the hiring practices of a
particular orchestra.

You state that while you will probably remain in the U.S., you leave open the
possibility of being in Europe. Let's assume that you do go to Europe. A debate
that would make sense (at least to me) would be the inability of any foreigner to
get a position in a German or Austrian orchestra not because of a lack of talent,
but because that foreigner plays on the Boehm system (French system) clarinet, and
not an Oehler system (German system) clarinet. Such a debate would leave out
American arrogance about what is or is not correct in hiring practices and the issue
of gender, but would instead focus on an issue that is very real for all clarinet
players. No offense intended, but just an example of how this particular debate
could have been more relavent.

David S. Naden, Graduate Student
Cal State University Los Angeles

Josh-Boy wrote:

> On Sat, 3 Jan 1998, Cheddar99 wrote:
>
> > If you really want to debate about discrimination then go sign up for a debate
> > list. I'm sure I'm not alone in my view that this argument is getting
> > annoying. Some of us use this list to get helpful information to improve our
> > musical experience. For those of us who do not have all the time in the world
> > to shuffle through message after message of arguments, this starts to become
> > bothersome. If you must debate on this list then please make it something that
> > matters to clarinetists, not human rights activists. Thank you
> >
> Not to offend here or anything, but debates are another function of this
> list. Many of us (like myself) are concerned with the issues that
> professional and amateur musicians face in the music world. I want to
> know if my playing level will be enough to land me a job wherever I go, in
> the event I go into professional playing. True, more likely than not, I
> will stay in the US, but one can never tell. This list provides
> information as well as a forum for debate. If you have little time and no
> cencern for these debates, read the subject and ignore. (I'm not trying
> to sound hostile, so please don't take offense!!)
>
> Joshua Coleman