 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Tony Park
Date: 2012-02-14 16:14
Hello again. I am currently doing my MMus in Solo Performance at McGill University. I am interested in continuing my education after my master's but I am leaning more toward a more performance oriented program rather than a DMA- not because I do not care for DMA programs, but because I feel like I could work on my playing and my performing more extensively before a DMA or starting to seriously look for clarinet jobs. The saying, "You learn the most on the job" has stuck with me but I am not sure how much of this applies to me because I really want to be at a higher (comfortable) level of playing before looking for a job. Clarinetist Matthias Muller once said in one of his instructional YouTube videos something along the lines of, "You have to be a great player before auditioning for jobs." He mentioned the need to perfect intonation, technique and other things in order to be at this level of playing. Here at McGill I have become much more serious and ambitious about my playing and my career and I really want to be a great performer, and not just a guy with a comfortable job.
Anyway, if you have any suggestions (especially those who have artist diplomas) for good places to audition for artist diploma or even for a second master's degree, please share your thoughts. Thank you very much.
Tony Park
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-02-14 21:17
Getting a decent playing job, at least in an orchestra these days, is next to impossible because there are so few openings each year and so many qualified applicants. At least with a DMA you would also be qualified to teach in a university , but those are getting to be in the same boat, far to many qualified, far to few jobs. If you do decide to do another degree I suggest you learn to play the bass clarinet and Eb clarinet as well and learn the repertoire. It's far from a guarantee but it at least opens more possibilities. You should also look into doing a minor in something else you're interested in to have something to fall back on until you can make a living playing, if you ever can. I have something on my website about jobs and auditions, check it out and good luck. Getting an orchestra job today may be the most difficult profession in America, and Canada, today. ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Joseph Tomasso
Date: 2012-02-16 19:06
Follow your dreams. Do NOT listen to people who say find a backup. Do not listen to people who say get a minor. Do not listen to people who say it is a difficult world out there so don't bother trying.
I have a bachelor of saxophone, a bachelor of clarinet, and a master of multiple woodwinds. I teach over 60 private lessons a week, I play in a regional professional group, and I have an adjunct position. It is a DREAM job for me. I'm practicing as hard as possible because I want to get a full time performing position but i'm making a living by teaching and performing now. I do extremely well (60 lessons a week at 30-40 dollars a lesson, you do the math!).
Go for clarinet. Do it 100% Give every waking minute of energy towards perfecting your art. You will succeed. You may not make it into the chicago symphony, but you might just make it elsewhere, or be an extremely successful freelancer, or you might be able to make a living doing studio work, or you might find yourself like me with 60 private students, recitals, a smaller orchestra, and a lifetime of improving the lives of others.
Don't get a DMA if you don't want one! It is a lot of work and if you really only want to improve your playing, go for it!!! You can always go back to school later, and you can always change your mind about taking on a second profession if you feel like music is not working for you. You can not always come back to music if you take a break. In 10 years after being an accountant, do you really think it is going to be easy to go back into a clarinet program, especially with everyone being younger?
Follow your dream!!!! I'd say look at something like the chicago civic orchestra where if you have a successful audition, you can attend DePaul or Roosevelt University for free!
I was never first chair clarinet, i was never bad either. I won my job fair and square with a lot of work. Who knows, maybe in 5 years i'll win another, but for now, I pay my bills by being a musician and you can too, no matter what ANYONE else says.
Bachelor of Music, Sax/Clarinet Performance (2005, 06)
Master of Music, Multiple Woodwind Performance (2008)
Master of Music, Oboe Performance (2013)
Gainesville Chamber Orchestra (Clarinet)
University of Florida 2010-2011(Visiting Lecturer in Woodwi
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2012-02-16 22:28
Something else to consider is to think about what other forms of music you enjoy. I wish I could have taken some business classes during my undergrad and learn about marketing. If you have a love for chamber music, something like that could be of real value! I don't think anyone is saying find a backup outside of music for a fall back plan, but find a backup outside of music that will AID your music career. I mean...wouldn't it be great if all of the business people running the orchestras were some kind of musician as well?
But do take up the auxiliary instruments! There are a lot of jobs where that will put you above the rest of the crowd, even if it's only optional for the audition! (My first orchestral job is as an English hornist, rather than just oboe, even though the English horn part of the audition was optional!)
Edit to add:
I forgot to mention an answer to your question. University of NC School of the Arts (UNCSA) has a Performing Artist Certificate for the post masters level, although I don't think any money is given for scholarship. The school is great, and I loved being a student there. Most conservatories will have this same type of program also.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
Post Edited (2012-02-16 23:17)
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2012-02-16 22:47
I echo Mr. Tomasso's insights above. There is more paying work out there than you can possibly imagine if you know where to look and how to market yourself. I might add that my coursework at University taught me next to nothing about how to actually make a living at music--and I suspect you have already discovered this to be true of his University experience, as well.
If you haven't already done so, taking on a couple of private-lessons students on a trial basis might prove to be the most intensely satisfying experience of your musical career.
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Author: William
Date: 2012-02-17 16:15
Listen to Ed and diversify--learn to play the effer and the bass, if not also the saxophone and the flute. The more the better. When you audition for a pro level job, the auditioners will not be impressed by your degree but rather, simply, how well you play and how well you would fit into their organization. Basic talent is the key--if you don't "have it", no college course of study is going to give it to you. And the hard truth is, even if you 'have it' and are the 'best', you may not win the job if someone on the audition panel does not like something about you--and that may not be related to your playing ability. Sometimes it who you know, not what you know--so, while honing your playing skills, learn to be a "people person" and pay attention to your networking skills. Twitter, Facebook, phone listings, causal contacts, etc--whomever may help you get that job. Like Ed suggested, it's a tough world "out there" for the professional clarinetist and you will need all of the help you can get to succeed. Follow your dream, but I hope it does not become a nightmare.
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2012-02-17 16:52
I put all my eggs in one basket precisely with the determination and refusal to compromise that J. Tomasso insists is the ONLY way to go. I got a position as 3d in a 4th-tier orchestra by sheer luck, and because I "knew somebody."
Thanks to a black Chevrolet Blazer that went through a stop sign, after 18 months, that was that!
NEVER put all your eggs in one basket.
If Ed Palanker doesn't know what he's talking about, nobody does.
B.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2012-02-17 19:08
People recommend aspiring professional athletes to have a backup plan, and in their case, success is both more likely and more lucrative than as a clarinetist. Get yourself a backup plan, or at the very least a diversified Plan A.
Also, to expand on the sentiment others have expressed above, I would recommend treating skill on clarinet, as with any instrument, as a tool -- a means to an end, rather than an end in itself. Aim to be a musician that happens to use clarinet when the situation warrants it.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-02-18 03:31
I have to disagree with Joseph. It may be possible in some places to make a decent living teaching 50 or 60 students but you pretty much have to be able, and willing, to teach several instruments. How many teachers in a place like Baltimore, where i live, can do that? Maybe one or two. There was a time when freelances were able to make a decent living but most of that work dried up years ago. For a classicial clarinet player, not very much. I know many really good string players in our area that simply can't make a living playing these days if they're freelances. Most, if not all, have to do something else to make ends meet, they can't all have big teaching studios and it takes time to build up a studio. Freelances don't get any benifits, no pension, other than the unions pension if they can even get union jobs, no health care, no nothing. When I taught at Peabody I encouraged all my students to learn all the clarinets and if possible to learn different types of music. In many cases I woud encourage them to audiion for a military band, learn instrument repair, do a masters in theory or some other music subject they are interested in or do a minor in something else that they are interested in. The sad fact is that we are producing far to many good musicians than there are jobs, especially in the symphony field. There was a time that a good viola player could write their own ticket, now there are dozens of unemployed good viola players. For clarinet, it's 25 times worse, maybe 100. How many clarinet sympnony jobs open each year, five, six maybe if you're lucky. How many players are looking for a symphony job each year, 200, 300. I've been in the BSO for 49 years, we've had three openings in that much time, three openings in 49 years. Most players make a life time of their position. ESP
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Author: Tony Park
Date: 2012-02-18 11:58
Thank you all for sharing your valuable thoughts and experiences and your insights. It's not that I have not heard these before but it is always interesting and helpful to see what other people have gone/ are going through in my desired career path.
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