Klarinet Archive - Posting 000114.txt from 2007/06

From: hns692@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Community groups - membership fee?
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007 18:09:16 -0400

I've not ever paid to play in a community band/orchestra group. I would
not, either. The problem is that I have a horn to maintain and any attendant
supplies, etc. My time is being given free. If one has to pay to play, there
is probably lack of fund raising talent in the director or governing board
(and knowing how to scrounge music and the like). I've played in bands who are
funded either by the municipality that is the primary practice residence or
has some historic significance -- e.g., an ongoing city band, or through a
fee collected by the band for playing for municipalities -- particularly in
their summer in-the-park programs. Beyond that, we give one large concert a
year that is ticketed gig and in a historic renovated theatre -- the members
show up, but do not pay. The tickets fund the theatre rental and any remainder
goes into the general band coffers. None of the ticketed performances has
NOT been sold out. The others are attended full to overflowing other times of
the year (except the in-the-park summer series that aren't played on our home
grounds). Besides summer, we play once a month -- free -- year-'round. To
me, paying to play for a group is demeaning of my time and talent. Get
creative, huh?

Lee Ann Hansen
Principal Eb Clarinet
First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band
_hns692@-----.com)
_www.sousaband.net_ (http://www.sousaband.net)

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