Klarinet Archive - Posting 000320.txt from 2003/03

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Better Rebecca
Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2003 12:34:33 -0500

In a message dated 3/7/2003 10:16:40 AM Eastern Standard Time, rjbrennan1221@-----.com writes:

>
> other "monsters". I wasn't told "good job" for coming in
> 3rd out of quite a few clarinets, but I was kind of indirectly put down>>

Here's my advice.

Accept the challenge - gracefully - smile, pick yourself up -and work harder.

Unless you finally emerge in the Larry Combs, Ricardo Morales, etc. class, there will ALWAYS be someone better than you. Live with it and LEARN.

Here's my anecdote. I have mentioned it before on this list, but I think there is a lesson here.

In the 70's I played in the Toledo Symphony. I wormed my way in by CONSTANTLY badgering the personnel manager. I took ANY gig, no matter how small, far away, or insignificant.

I was finally able to win the bass clarinet chair. I held that chair for eight years. I also began working my way up in the section, playing again any gig I could get.

Within a few years I was playing in the Symphony Woodwind Quintet, which added mucho services and bucks to my paycheck. I was in the "core orchestra"!!!!! Hooray, life was good.

Then - the principal chair came open.

I practised and practised, took the audition, played my A** off. Really nailed that audition.

Guess what? I lost.

David Shifrin had just started his stint at the University of Michigan. He wanted to "keep his hand in" orchestral playing, so he got the job that I wanted, craved, lusted for.

Was the management of the Symphony right in hiring him. Damn right! He was fantastic!

How did I feel? Like hell.

I could have sculked, moaned, complained, whined, quit, etc.

What did I do instead?

For ONCE in my life, I showed some maturity. I took the opportunity of learning EVERYTHING I could from this extraordinary clarinetist. I listened, watched, absorbed everything I could. I took lessons from him, I studied music I heard him play.

The orchestra observed this, and gave me the position of associate principal, and I filled in for him on concerts and rehearsals that he was unable to attend due to his other commitments. I shared a chair with one of the country's best clarinetists!!!!

This was - flat out - the greatest period of musical growth I have ever had in my life.

So Rebecca - when you loose - turn it into an opportunity to learn, change, and grow. I did.

Walter Grabner

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