Klarinet Archive - Posting 000641.txt from 1999/01

From: "Kevin Fay (LCA)" <kevinfay@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Re: Unaccompanied solo works
Date: Thu, 14 Jan 1999 17:18:00 -0500

Noah A. Smith asked:

<<<Speaking of which, I'm interested to know if there are many subscribers
who don't count themselves among professional musicians or music students,
and what kinds of opportunities exist after college for music-makers de
facto but not by trade.>>>

There are PLENTY of opportunities to play clarinet after college, if you
aren't looking to get paid for them. If you spend enough time playing in a
particular geographic location--and you play well enough--you should have no
shortage of playing opportunities.

I have a day job. I'm a lawyer that writes contracts for Microsoft
Corporation, trying to keep BillG from getting sued (again). It's not
especially morally or spiritually satisfying, but it sure pays the bills.
Right now, I'm in a dreadful torture session known as a "conference call"
with my speaker-phone on "mute"; as soon as anyone says anything intelligent
on the call, I'll stop addressing the clarinet list.

I also play 3 nights a week, in a "community" orchestra (meaning that most
of the musicians aren't paid), a wind ensemble (like your college's band,
only better unless you're at Eastman) and a band (OK, my substitute for
bowling). My orchestra's second commercially-released CD is due out in the
next couple of months, so we don't stink too bad. These groups don't pay me
(or I donate the fee back); I don't care, though, because my day job takes
care of my pecuniary needs. I do it because it keeps me sane.

I also get a fair number of calls for musical theater and other paid
big-band or commercial-oriented gigs from time to time. I typically turn
these down now, because I have 2 very young children at home and my wife
would kill me. Time is precious to me right now, and in most paid gigs the
performers' time considerations are not a high priority (nor should they
be).

At this point, my problem is playing too much. It's a great problem to
have.

kjf

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