Klarinet Archive - Posting 000627.txt from 1996/04

From: "Daniel A. Paprocki" <dap@-----.US>
Subj: Re: Amateur players and paying gigs -- a little mean here ;)
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 1996 11:08:04 -0400

Nate,
I agree with you in that the best player should get the job. But
what about the player who isn't the best but could do the job at less than
the union player? You didn't respond to my hypothesis on what if your real
job was reduced in hours and pay and filled in with someone that will do an
"ok" job at a lower wage than you get paid.
For example. There is a light opera company in a midwestern state
that runs productions throughout the summer. I called them to see if they
were auditioning. They already filled the orchestra with college students
from the area and they were paying non-union wages. Besides lower wages it
usually also means that rehearsals can go on forever, extra rehearsals can
be added since the pay isn't per service or per hour, no doubling pay, etc.
If I do a non-union gig, I could get in trouble with the union. I'm all
for the amateur musician (amateur means no pay). I feel there are not enuff
community orchestras and civic bands in the USA. I admire those people who
don't "have" to play but love to play. They could be spending their free
time and money in some other endeavor. But don't win a job based on how
much less money you can play for.

Dan

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Daniel A. Paprocki
dap@-----.us

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