Klarinet Archive - Posting 000074.txt from 2009/07

From: fred jacobowitz <fbjacobo@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] doublers - help!
Date: Sun, 19 Jul 2009 10:50:48 -0400

The problem with community and volunteer gigs is that the people running them are usually also really amateurs and don't know what is acceptable in the 'biz'. Sounds like this director falls into that category. This kind of nonsense simply wouldn't fly if it were a pro gig; if for no other reason than the conductor would put his foot down in the interest of a good performance and his professional reputation (not to mention that a director would realize that it was in his monetary interest to have a good performance). Sounds like this idiot-of-a-director thinks that the incidentals are more important than the product - kind of like a bride at the wedding obsessing about the exact shade of her bridesmaids' dresses instead of what kind of food, the band, etc. I think that you are perfectly justified in walking. It would be even better if you were to take the other musicians with you. And send an open letter to the case, board of trustees, etc. saying why.

Fred Jacobowitz

Kol Haruach Klezmer Band
Ebony and Ivory Duo
CASE CLOSED Musical Instrument Case Repair Service

-----Original Message-----
>From: Rich Gordley <rgordley@-----.net>
>Sent: Jul 19, 2009 8:43 AM
>To: klarinet@-----.org
>Subject: [kl] doublers - help!
>
>
>
>>OK gang, I need some opinions on a ridiculous situation.
>>
>>I'm currently playing a run of "Hello Dolly!" with a community
>>theater. This is a volunteer gig which means the musicians get
>>treated worse than usual. Last night we were told that we can no
>>longer warm up in the pit because the director wants to play 1920s
>>(?!) music over the speakers in the auditorium while the patrons are
>>arriving. Our conductor has received more than his share of grief
>>from the director and says that he has to "choose his battles" and
>>that in the long run he'd lose this one anyway.
>>
>>I'm sure I don't have to detail the misery this induces. My wife and
>>I play reed 1 and 2 and between us we have 6 instruments. Reed 4 has
>>B.clnt, clnt and Bari sax. Warming up elsewhere (which right now
>>looks like it will be in the hall behind the stage area) creates
>>huge problems.
>>
>>My questions:
>>1. Does anyone think this is reasonable?
>>2. What would you do?
>>
>>My own feeling is that we should refuse to play unless we can warm up
>>in the pit. But maybe I'm overreacting. I'm also thinking that some
>>support from this list would be something I could let our conductor
>>pass along to the director in hopes of letting reason prevail.
>>
>>
>>Rich Gordley
>>Des Moines, IA
>>
>>
>
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