Klarinet Archive - Posting 000308.txt from 1999/06

From: Ken Wolman <Ken.Wolman@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Be careful what you wish for?
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 1999 11:44:08 -0400

Thanks to Anne Bell's list of community orchestras and bands (Anne, is
there ANYTHING clarinet-related you don't have linked to your page??), I
made contact with the Rutherford Community Band not too far from where I
live. I sent the director an email and she wrote back and said "Come on
over, we rehearse Monday nights, bring your bass clarinet, some guy
showed up a month ago but never came back." She's been with the band
since she was 11, 40 years ago, and she met her husband there. He's the
tuba player and she does the percussion.

Actually they have no soprano clarinet openings, and no sax places
either. So apparently I made a good "political" choice by mentioning I
really liked playing the BIG screech-stick:-).

When the director and I spoke by phone yesterday, she said they've only
told one musician not to come back, a flutist with a major attitude.
She needs people who can play the flute, so if you know anyone in North
Jersey....

Audition? Nope. If it turns out I really stink out the joint, they
will ask me NOT to play the concerts this summer (already????) but just
rehearse with the band until the fall season kicks in. This might be a
good idea for me in any case. I haven't played with an ensemble since
high school and I remember the hardest part of band in high school was
listening to what the other guy was doing while you tried to hear your
own tone and follow the beat at the same time.

Apparently, this arrangement is just what I expected: varying skill
levels, some old-time high school music teachers and semi-pros
sandwiched in with the people who just LOVE the stuff and want a place
to play.

This is when I wish the Bundy had a two-piece body. The instrument is
heavy, huge, and the case not only weighs a ton, it also looks like one
of those WW2 ammunition cases that holds machine-gun belts. Does anyone
make a lightweight case like a Pro-Tec for a one-piece bass clarinet, no
low C?

Ken
--
Ken Wolman dbtrader Deutsche Bank, N.A.
1251 Sixth Avenue New York, NY 10019 212-469-6494

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