Klarinet Archive - Posting 000193.txt from 2002/06

From: AnneLenoir@-----.net (Anne Lenoir)
Subj: Re: [kl] Majoring in Clarinet Performance
Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2002 04:22:02 -0400

Dear Mr. Hornz,
I think that you need to be a very good businessman to market
yourself as a clarinetist. If you are to continue as a clarinetist, you
have chosen wonderfully compatible double majors in clarinet performance
and business. I think that every clarinetist would do better if they put
a lot of planning into the "business" side of playing the clarinet,
including promo & bookings. Many of the successful clarinetists today
have their own web sites with CD's for sale and a very impressive
presentation of their "product", their clarinet playing. Some even have
MP-3 files set up on their sites where you can listen to excerpts from
their CD's. So you could conceivably "kill two birds with one stone" by
having the double major, for instance, using your clarinet career as a
choice for various marketing projects ranging from designing your own
business cards to designing your own website, maybe creating your own
clarinet video & CD, and a possible concert circuit for a chamber
ensemble that you perform with. Would they let you use such projects as
a business major? In the past couple of years I have had so much fun
building up my clientelle of private students, ranging in age from 9 to
54. I have had to make a few business policies about how to handle
payment. I ended up charging by the month and making everybody pay at
the beginning of the month. Once I understood how to explain my business
policies firmly and politely, the teaching business became much easier.
I wouldn't even worry about whether or not you may or may not have
"regrets" about being a clarinet major or not. Just go for it. You can
always change your mind later. Good luck to you. ANNIE

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