Klarinet Archive - Posting 000193.txt from 2005/12

From: "Forest Aten" <forestaten@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Nutcracker
Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2005 23:30:28 -0500


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Patton Hunnicutt [mailto:bass9396@-----.com]
> Sent: Sunday, December 25, 2005 8:54 PM
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: RE: [kl] Nutcracker
>
>
> Forest. Two words for you: Team Player.

Patton,

Your perspectives have always been interesting. Why don't you take the time
to define what you mean when you say "team player" and especially in the
context you've presented these two words. Do this for "us"...hmmmmm, whoops,
perhaps I shouldn't make that request on behalf of everyone on the list.

"Submit or.... (fill in the blank)...." ;-) Makes me smile.

As far as "bringing them in"....
Our attendance at the Dallas Opera/Texas Ballet collaboration, is showing a
huge decline in interest in recent years. Tickets sold are at an all time
low. The number of shows offered by the company, are at an all time low.
There were only six performances in the Dallas venue this year for this
production. We (God I love to use that word. Using the word "we" makes me
feel like part of the "team".) performed as many as twenty six performances
in past years. Things change. The Dallas area has several fine regional
orchestras that use local (student/semi-pro) dance companies, capturing much
of the suburban market. It seems that people are more interested in having
an easy, simple effort (no long drives, no professional ticket premium, etc)
for this kind of holiday event. The Texas Ballet Theatre was once called the
Ft. Worth Ballet, a very fine dance company, funded almost entirely by the
Bass family...as in big time Texas oil money Bass family. The Bass family
virtually owns down town Ft. Worth, Texas.
Professional dance in North America is virtually a thing of the past. It's
too bad as the ballet orchestral rep is first rate and a lot of fun to play.
The Nutcracker was once (in our area) a cash cow that allowed many companies
to keep afloat and pay the bills due at year end. It's probably still the
case in many companies.

For me and many other orchestral "pit" musicians, the Nutcracker buys the
gifts at Christmas...but not without a huge price. The Dallas Opera is in
production with an opera currently, in rehearsal for the next opera, we just
finished the student opera series and many if not most of the musicians in
the Dallas Opera orchestra are some of the first call free lance musicians
in the area. "We" do a lot of the seasonal work available during the
holidays. The Nutcracker is demanding and for what it is....is way too tough
to play two a day shows for extended periods of time, as well as having
other more serious professional obligations ongoing. "We" also have the
negative aspect of being taken out of "our" family loop during a time of
year where for many the family has best opportunity to be together all year
long.

Next year....I'm taking a leave during the Nutcracker. The "team" will
survive without me. The sub will enjoy having the work and all will be well.
I think you might call this a "professional players" attitude. I don't find
it to be negative. I've played this show since 1978 without a missed season.
I've played all three clarinet parts...many times over. I can perform the
1st and bass part from memory, beginning to end.

I hope you would allow me a year off. ;-)

Have a nice holiday.

Forest Aten

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