Klarinet Archive - Posting 000130.txt from 1998/04

From: benevolent1@-----. Horney)
Subj: Re: very young principal cl's
Date: Fri, 3 Apr 1998 20:00:45 -0500

I know that high school band and youth orchestra experience
hardly gives me an idea on how the principal position in an orchestra is
supposed to work, but it has, exposed me to problems that arise when the
most talented player technically is not the best choice for principal
player.
Before I continue, I do not advocate seating where age is the
sole determining factor. Just because you are a senior does not mean
that a more talented sophomore, for example, does not deserve the higher
chair. Seating with the express criteria of age is detrimental to
everyone.
The principal player in bands and in orchestras is, from my
understanding, supposed to be a leader and someone to look up to. They
should be a good role model and the character and dependability issue
should be taken into account.
The principal player should also be technically proficient and,
theoretically at least, the best player in the section. If questions
arise from the section as to how to execute a particular trill or tongue
a particularly difficult section the principal player is the one to whom
the section would look for direction.
These two issues are sometimes at odds. The most technically
gifted player is not always a great leader. S/he may not be able to
articulate directions very well. The section may not always respect the
player with the best technique. Conversely, the best leader may not have
the experience to draw from. S/he may not be able to execute a section,
let alone worry about the second or third parts to a particular piece.
In situations such as these, a balance must be accomplished. In these
situations, age, experience, as well as ability should enter the
equation.
These issues are fine for high school band programs. I would
hope, however that some of the issues would be resolved as one achieves
professional status. If one is preparing for a principal position in an
orchestra, I would hope that childish prejudices against age and petty
fights would be over. In some cases, the older player may feel
resentful, and perhaps rightfully so. If this resent is so deep that it
cannot be resolved, the director and the player both have choices to
make. The older player could leave or learn to deal with it. The
director must weigh the value of a technically great player with no
support of his/her section against the value of the older player's
knowledge and addition to the ensemble. If these issues are unable to be
resolved, none of the options are really desirable, but I suspect that
successful adults can maturely deal with situations that aren't 100
percent favorable to them. If they can't, perhaps they don't deserve to
be the principal player.
I hope that this message wasn't too muddled, I seem to lack
coherency on a Friday after a week full of calculus tests and AP test
preparation.
Enjoy the weekend!

Sarah Beth
benevolent1@-----.com
ICQ UIN 6585512