 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: klairnyrett
Date: 2004-06-14 07:27
Hi, I was just wondering if I need a degree or some sort of qualification to play in a professional orchestra. I have some experience playing in a state/college orchestra. Would that help on my resume? Does having experience counts more than having a degree? What are the chances of me getting into a professional orchestra if I decided not to go for a clarinet degree? Are orchestras most likely to hire an experienced player or are they looking for a person with qualifications?
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2004-06-14 13:11
- Nail the audition
- Join the musician's union
- Nail the audition
- Know the standard orchestra repertoire
- Nail the audition
- Network on the local music scene
- Nail the audition
- Be able to blend into an orchestra's sound
I believe these items are much more important than academic pedigree. Though the majority of players in my local orchestra are full-time music professionals of some sort, they do have several players who are lawyers, financial managers, etc., so it can and does happen.N
________________
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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Author: larryb
Date: 2004-06-14 14:03
you may need something on your resume in order to get into the audition - experience or education, or a combination of both.
someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think most pro orchestras just let anybody off the street audition - there's some pre-screening involved
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2004-06-14 14:27
That may be true. My local orchestra is holding sub auditions in September and requires a resume and a $50 deposit (though I'd bet the fifty bucks is more important than the resume).
Still, if the prodigy from Juilliard is outplayed by the darkhorse from the band program at the Waco State Institute of Hog Management... there'll be a guy in the clarinet section who might get you a good deal on pork ribs.t
________________
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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Author: William
Date: 2004-06-14 14:44
The only requirement of being a professional player--orchestral, broadway, recordings (that sell)--is the ability to play your instrument better--to the ears of the auditioning committe and those the public--better than 99% of your peers. Where you grew up, who you studied with, your college BM, MM or DMA degrees or which particular brand of mouthpiece you play on doesn't matter much. The one thing that matters is how good you are--period.
However, in audition pool of clarinetists for most top orchestral positions being offered, everyone knows all of the repretoir and can play all of "the notes" with varying degrees of musical taste. Any one of them could sit in "the chair" and do just fine. So, after learning to play all of the literature and making it to the final round of auditions, there is a certain element of luck that is involved in finally winning the ears of the auditioners and gaining the chair. And for many "free lance" gigs, in addition to being "good", it is also knowing the right person or being in the right place at the right time. In show biz, that's called *networking*. It is also important for you to be able keep dates, be on time with a "good" reed(s), dress properly and show up for work sober and free of drugs--and stay that way during the gig.
So, you want to "play professionally"?? Learn to play your clarinet (saxs and flutes also for shows) better than most other players--even if only "in your own mind"--and then, be in the right place at the right time and get lucky.
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2004-06-14 14:46
There was an engaging article this weekend in the Indianapolis Star about their process for selecting a new third trumpet. (http://www.indystar.com/articles/5/154599-6505-062.html) It should answer most of your questions regarding the audition process.
To summarize some of it, t-hey started out with 286 applicants. The audition committee went through the applications and invited 148 to try out. Sixty five of those confirmed that they would. Sixty showed up for the preliminaries and were refunded their $75 audition fee. Well, you can read the story and see how it worked. Very interesting. Don't miss the links to related articles as well as photos.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-06-14 14:47
Although you may want to watch out for an audition panel of Buffet Mafia Dons out there . . . I've heard stories of people being discriminated against due to make/model of instrument.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2004-06-14 14:48
Oops! By "their process for selecting a new third trumpet," I was referring to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
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Author: Brad
Date: 2004-06-14 17:16
larryb wrote:
"you may need something on your resume in order to get into the audition - experience or education, or a combination of both.
someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think most pro orchestras just let anybody off the street audition - there's some pre-screening involved"
As far as I know, in the US, pro orchestras must hear all applicants. They can require a tape and eliminate someone based on the tape. But, my understanding is that if they are a union orchestra they have to hear you in some way. I have been rejected on the basis of my resume to several auditions and a simple phone call or email always takes care of that. Many winners of auditions are people who were not invited.
Brad Cohen
Clarinetist
la_brad@yahoo.com
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Author: Igloo Bob
Date: 2004-06-14 21:26
Quote:
Still, if the prodigy from Juilliard is outplayed by the darkhorse from the band program at the Waco State Institute of Hog Management... there'll be a guy in the clarinet section who might get you a good deal on pork ribs.
Hahaha. That was wonderful.
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2004-06-14 22:00
Auditions are rigged only if you don't get the job. If you win the audition, it was fair and impartial.
John
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2004-06-14 22:22
Regarding rigging, did you read the article I gave a link to? If those auditions had been rigged, you would have expected the guy who has been playing third trumpet in the interim to have won.
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Author: msloss
Date: 2004-06-15 00:17
Yeah, auditions are rigged against people who can't play.
If you look at the job postings, they often indicate that qualified applicants only need apply. Just like any professional position in any line of work, a little prescreening is necessary. It just isn't possible for a committee to listen to every tape that comes in the door. There are also instances where highly qualified applicants, often those who have already played with the ensemble, get skipped ahead to later rounds. That isn't rigging -- it is just a professional courtesy to those that are a known quantity.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2004-06-15 02:57
The one thing the Indianapolis article seemed not to have was a discussion of what got the 148 people _invited_ to play the audition.
This aspect of orchestral auditions has always mystified me...My suspicion is that the resumes are evaluated for performing experience first, then perhaps education, but then what??? Does anyone have an idea of what the priorities of those screening the resumes are??
Katrina
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Author: diz
Date: 2004-06-15 03:44
You do not need a degree to get a position with some orchestras, there are exceptions ... Sydney Symphony now will not employ someone in a full time position without a (performance major) Bachelor of Music (or better). This is just one case, other professional orchestras in Australia are different, this doesn't apply to causal players.
regards
diz | sydney
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Author: LeOpus1190s
Date: 2004-06-16 03:15
I disagree. If they didn't get the audition its not because of their clarinets, it's because of their playing. They probably say that so they can feel better about themselves.
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