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Q for Houstonians: Playing opportunities?

Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2003-08-19 03:02

Hey. I've been looking around, but I think any Houstonians can help me. I'm not a music major, but I am studying clarinet privately. I graduated from community college last spring, and next year I'll be at an upper level undergrad/graduate school to finish my bachelors. This school doesn't have any music programs, and I'm sort of looking for playing opportunities. I'll still be taking clarinet lessons privately, but the school has no ensembles to be in.

I can play orchestral excerpts (Scherzo from MSND, Firebird, the basic stuff you'll find in an excerpt book), so an ensemble playing music of this difficulty would be really great (I prefer challenged to bored anyday). Community orchestras, bands, clarinet ensembles... any kind of opportunities would be really fun. I'm sure that there has got to be plently of groups around, but I'm having a little troubling finding them. Any help?

Thanks
Don Hite - theclarinetist@yahoo.com

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Re: Q for Houstonians: Playing opportunities?

Author: angelpineapple
Date: 2003-08-19 04:05

Where in Houston are you? There are a few community groups in my area although I don't know if any of them need a clarinetist right now.

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Re: Q for Houstonians: Playing opportunities?

Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2003-08-19 04:56

South East Houston. Clear lake Area.

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Re: Q for Houstonians: Playing opportunities?

Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-08-19 05:34

Have you asked your teacher? I'd say that's the best place to start. If the teacher is a professional, perhaps they KNOW someone who knows of a community band. Also, your teacher will best be able to judge your ability and whether you'd fit in well with the band or not. Look for all things. Orchestra, band, symphony, even a marching band. Let's say you attend a marching band. You hate it. Well, perhaps someone there knows of a wind symphony that plays on tuesday nights. And another person knows one that plays wednesday nights. Try them out, stick with the ones you like.

So even if the other community orchestras aren't looking for clarinetists, show up and ask if they of anyone who is.

And visit a university that DOES have a music program. Maybe they know of bands around. Or maybe they'll let you play in theirs. The band at my community college, just happens to also be a community band. So I can take it either for credit, or just for fun.

Alexi

US Army Japan Band

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Re: Q for Houstonians: Playing opportunities?

Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-08-19 14:29

I assume this is all current.

Houston Symphonic Band: http://www.houstonsymphonicband.com/

Houston Concert Band: http://www.houstonconcertband.org/

Gulf Coast Concert Band: http://www.geocities.com/gulfcoastconcertband/

Houston Civic Symphony is apparently taking auditions for clarinet substitutes: http://www.civicsymphony.org/

Orchestra X: http://www.orchestrax.org/

No doubt there's even more out there. Even in little Corpus Christi, about 1/8th your size, I'm able to play in enough community groups to keep plenty busy. No doubt you'll find something that makes you happy to be a clarinetist.›

________________

Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.

- Pope John Paul II

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