 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2005-03-28 01:36
Hey,
I've been struggling with this for a while, and I thought there might be some people who have dealt with this same situation and might have some good advice.
I am not a music major, but I have been taking clarinet lessons from a community college professor who I've studied with for several years and doing a yearly recital at the college. Well, as I get older and my college friends who attended that school are now leaving and moving on to 4 year schools, I'm realizing that putting on recitals at a school where no one knows me (so attendance would be quite small) isn't something I can do forever (I have one planned for this semester, and I likely won't do anymore after that).
I have about 60 clarinet students, so I am around music all the time and play quite often. It's not like I'm giving up music, but I feel like my time as a performer is over and there is nothing I can do to prevent it.
I prefer performing chamber music, but outside of the academic world, finding other musicians and audiences seems like a hopeless task. I've considered trying to start a chamber music society or something, for people who just want to share great music with other music lovers, but I don't imagine that would work all that well (especially not with my defeatist attitude!).
Anyway, is there any hope of ever performing serious music again (not playing in church orchestras or stuff like that - don't get me wrong, I enjoy this type of playing too, but it isn't really artistically satisfying), or would I be better off to just accept that my performing days are over and find other avenues to satisfy myself musically? I also play piano, so at least I have that. It's much easier (in my opinion) to enjoy playing the piano by yourself than it is to enjoy the clarinet by yourself (although I'd feel rather foolish putting on a little recital all by myself in my house...). Oh well, any suggestion or personal experiences would certainly help me to clarify this mess..
Don Hite
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
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Author: pewd
Date: 2005-03-28 01:54
join a community band. you'll meet other musicians. often times, you can form small ensembles with others you meet in such a setting.
-paul
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-03-28 02:52
Your situation sounds frightingly similar to mine. I'm in a few community bands, I'm continuing to play at the community college I'm in (although there are fresh faces every year, music IS music no matter who it's with, albeit the pieces are seeming easier and easier each year as I learn more and more).
I guess what I'll eventually end up doing is starting some sort of ensemble own. Just don't have the time/means to do so quite yet. Where will I find them? I'll probalby visit colleges around the area and start asking around.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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