 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-01-24 07:15
And any that wish to email me with other tips or stuff, feel free.
I like to try to plan ahead (mainly because I do have a long ways to go in clarinet playing and want to give myself plenty of time to get there). After getting my teaching degree and hopefully landing a permanent job in a high school or middle school program I hope (by the age of 28 or so, I'm 21 now) to be adept enough at clarinet and saxaphone to be able to play in a wedding band or other parttime opportunity I can fit in my schedule (military reserve band maybe?!!!!). But as far as retirement goes, I don't know when I would, or under what terms, but if possible I know I've always wanted to play on broadway. I've only been to a handful of shows however I love being there and taking the time in intermission to look into the pit and try to spot the clarinetists and seeing how it's set up! Since it's a long ways off I'd like to know what else I would need to accomplish for a resume to audition for one.
Is it realistically possible for a retiree to simply audition and land a spot?
Do you need a bachelor's in music performance? (I do intend on getting one, but I've always wondered if it was a necessity for things like this)
Would a wedding band be enough experience or would I have to sometime down the road look at participating in other orchestral settings?
What type of resume would they be looking for? One that has plenty of experience in different styles (seeing as shows can play different styles) or dedication and a high level in one style?
Is woodwind doubling good for broadway or do they tend to only hire one per instrument so it wouldn't help nor hurt?
Thanks. I'm curious as to these things. I won't have to take any steps any time soon (within the next few years) but I know whatever I learn from this thread will stick in the back of my mind and resurface when I have a career and can look more seriously in how to shape myself for retirement.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-01-24 12:44
hehehe. I was hoping someone would mention JJM or even that he would chime in! (I debated addressing this one specifically to him, but knew eventually someone'd get around to it!)
Thanks Hank. Checking it out . . .
US Army Japan Band
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-01-24 13:02
Wow. I just took a look at JJM's resume. If I could accomplish only TWO of what's listed I'd die a happy man. What an amazing list of accomplishments. Here I am hoping that one day I may be a principal clarinetist of one good community orchestra one day and he's been principal of what seems to be nearly every major orchestra in the tri-state area and a few ensembles abroad. Amazing!
Although isn't this a little unfair? To me it seems like a little someone who wants to know what they need to do to become a professor of physics when they retire and being told, "Well, if you can look at this list and do what Albert Einstein did in his lifetime, sure I think you can make it."
Well, I guess they're certainly some goals to strive for. "Shoot for the stars" and whatnot.
And to JJM, if you read this, I'd like to just tell you that I am in awe of what you've done. As will be many others who follow that link without realizing just how many contributions you've made to music in the NY area in the past and present.
Now that's definitely a link to be bookmarked . . .
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2004-01-24 13:02)
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Author: saxlite
Date: 2004-01-24 14:04
Clearly, the first step in getting to play clarinet on Broadway (or on any other gig for that matter) is to wait until John J. Moses retires!!
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Author: paulwl
Date: 2004-01-24 16:54
It's winner take all. Everybody wants the same players, so you're either overbooked or overlooked.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-01-24 17:12
Maybe, too, Alexi, the best players forget they're in "competition"; they just love to play 
Keep on Tootin'!
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n [the re-tread] b -
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-01-24 17:52
Quote:
Keep on Tootin'! That I will be doing! Actually, I'm going to do a little bit of it right now!
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-01-24 19:05
Sfalexi,
You commented "isn't this a little unfair?" I did not know that things had to be fair; that's just the way it is.
Perhaps looking at John's resume is a reality check. I also recall John saying that there are a whole lot of other outstanding players in NYC (obviously no great surprise).
HRL
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-01-24 20:06
Yeah. I know it's not fair. I just thought it was funny how I was wondering if I could do it without having much experience in previous shows or whether a wedding band would be good experience and you pointed out the man that has been principle clarinet of 17 major ensembles, has traveled the world in performance, made recordings for nearly fifty films, who knows how many commercials, etc. etc. And I'm wondering if a wedding band would be good experience. Sort a realistic, "unfair" slap in the face!
I know life is hardly ever fair, but man - I didn't expect that much of a resume to be recommended. I was hoping to hear some stories of people who didn't get master's degrees, who 'beat the odds', uplifting stories about people who were/are in a similar situation to myself.
For another anology, it's like telling a kid the story of snow white (how she rose up to become a princess from a poor slave of her stepsisters), except in this version pointed out, they learn about the princess that was born into the family with riches and jewels after many generations of royalty was bred and taught proper ettiquitte by masters, and she ended up getting the prince while cinderella slaved away for the rest of her life trying, but never getting there.
So does anyone know of any uplifting stuff since I'm in no position financially and ability-wise (still have many years till I would even stand a chance) to attend a good music performance school and be molded by the masters?
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2004-01-24 20:11)
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2004-01-24 21:57
Recently the BBC broadcast a TV series in which amateur singers were given the chance to sing opera.
I am a weirdo with no TV in the house so I didn't actually see the show, but there was lots of coverage in the press. I recall that the winner was a woman who had been offered a place at music college years ago, but hadn't taken it up.
So far as I know, she hasn't yet been hired by Covent Garden or La Scala or the Met to sing demanding roles night after night after night without ever making a mistake. Which is not _quite_ the same thing as putting in one impressive performance.
Maybe, sfalexi, you should persuade a US TV station to do a version of this show for amateur clarinettists.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2004-01-25 05:15
Hi sfalexi & all:
You ask, "So does anyone know of any uplifting stuff?"
Well, as a matter of fact, here are a few "uplifting" and unusual Broadway stories:
Last season "Into the Woods" opened in a revival which I originally did in 1987. This time around I was busy doing "Oklahoma!", so a young clarinetist was hired from Florida. She had played for the contractor at a summer music festival, he liked her playing, and she was hired for her first Broadway show! A big break for a young player.
While I was doing "OK!", a young clarinet doubler came into NYC from Boston. He was charming, played well, so I gave him a shot at my chair at "Oklahoma!" (clarinet, bass clarinet & soprano sax). He did well, the conductor and the other woodwind players liked his playing, so he became one of my regular subs. He went on to land an off-Broadway show this season because of his good work at "OK!".
A young clarinetist came back to NYC after having been out of town, playing in a few orchestras. It was 1975, and Leonard Bernstein had written a new Broadway show, "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue", it had all the earmarks of a big hit. Gerard Schwarz, a young NYC conductor, recommended his friend, the clarinetist, to play for Bernstein. He played, Bernstein and the new show's conductor liked what they heard, and he was hired for his first Broadway show. The young clarinetist was...John Moses.
Thanks Lenny & Gerry, it was a start.
Practice hard, and wait for your start. It will come, if you are ready, and a little lucky.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2004-01-26 13:16
sfalexi -
John is much too modest. I've known him since 1959 at Interlochen, when we were in high school. He's always had what it takes.
John has loads of talent, but many people have that. What very few people have is the single-minded devotion to keep working until they perfect their playing. Chance favors the well prepared. That is, chances come along for everyone. John wouldn't have gotten where he is if he hadn't worked like a dog to be ready for them.
He also has another quality that you need for success -- a tremendous self-confidence. He knows what he can do, and he's not afraid to take what's there, in the face of tough competition from other good people.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2004-01-26 13:41
Ken:
I also remember those Interlochen days, and you, Larry Combs, and
Fred Ormond were all fine players. We all went our different ways, and yes, it took lots of hard work, but a career in music is possible, so keep the dream.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: allencole
Date: 2004-01-26 22:58
Glad to see John jump in and give us the real bottom line. Alexi, all you need is the luck to have opportunity knock, and the skill to make good on it. I don't know where you live, but there are things to do almost everywhere.
Also, many opportunities are not at all what you expect. I would keep in open mind and not be too caught up in the specifics of what you want. Because things will come your way that may not seem to address the specifics, but which will satisfy the generalities quite nicely.
I am a local-yokel wedding band and lesson guy, and have been to quite a bit of the US and five European countries. Currently, I'm involved three nights a week in a fantastic 7-piece nightclub combo with a Frank Sinatra repertoire and lots of arranging opportunity. (both myself and the other sax man are clarinet players, BTW, and we are able to write arrangements that keep the horn in the spotlight)
That's pretty good for a metropolitan area of only half a million people. Apart from your playing skills, your best allies are an open mind and a good attitude.
Allen Cole
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2004-01-27 00:07
"Apart from your playing skills, your best allies are an open mind and a good attitude."
BRAVO! Allen
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: paulwl
Date: 2004-01-27 17:09
*** previous post retracted. there IS such a thing as a stupid question, and I think I asked a couple. *** -P.
Post Edited (2004-01-28 21:03)
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