 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2007-05-07 18:29
So I send my resume and deposit according to their instructions and it is received on time.....and they deny me an audition!!! Why? because THEY planned poorly and ran out of audition times....Unbelievable.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2007-05-07 21:12
That's terrible! I'm learning that there is one more layer to make auditions difficult - administration.
Ask if you can get your deposit back, or if you can be kept on standby because people are SURE to cancel.
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2007-05-07 21:19
By deposit do you mean that you had to send them money in order to audition??
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Author: bufclar
Date: 2007-05-07 21:28
Orchestras do not cash the check but do require a deposit that is given back to you at the audition. I think it is done to make sure that people who apply actually do intend to take the audition. I'm sorry to hear that yet another audition is being run poorly. I guess the early bird gets the worm as they say.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2007-05-08 00:30
For a job that only pays a paltry $30,069.62 a year, I'm amazed they had so many applicants.
...GBK
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Author: RodRubber
Date: 2007-05-08 01:36
Im not surprised at all, the smaller the orchestra, the less time and money they have to devote to auditions. I have a relatively strong resume, but i was denied from Haddonfield New Jersey symphony audition. On the other hand, Minnesota and Detroit symphonies accepted me with no tape. So just keep bugging the personel director until he lets u audition. Just threaten to show up uninvited, that can help too.
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Author: J. J.
Date: 2007-05-08 03:00
GBK, $30,000 a year is a great starting point or even step up for a lot of people. In reality, it's not just $30,000, because you are then THE principal in an area of the country that is not saturated with players. University teaching and additional playing opportunities abound. Factor in cost of living, and it looks great.
With many of the small full-time orchestras somewhat disappearing, this is a great job to have.
-Jim
Post Edited (2007-05-08 03:02)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2007-05-08 04:00
I am well aware that the cost of living in Memphis is about 12% below the national average, however while $30,000 may afford you an apartment and enough money (with side teaching jobs and outside playing possibilities) to live as a single person, it alone would not be sufficient to support a family and create a substantial savings account for emergencies.
Remember - while for some people $30,000 might seem like a nice yearly salary, in actuality it is $600/week or $15/hour (based on the proverbial 40 hour week)
As we have said many times, making a comfortable living playing classical music is difficult at best. Playing in a third tier orchestra, while musically rewarding, puts you on a tough financial road, necessitating taking a number of outside teaching and playing engagements to avoid living from paycheck to paycheck.
Let's not even consider the possibility of not surviving the probationary period, orchestra financial difficulties, or worse yet - a strike.
...GBK
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Author: RodRubber
Date: 2007-05-08 04:20
to all those auditioning for whatever: just believe in what you are doing, and never listen to the nay sayers.
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Author: J. J.
Date: 2007-05-08 04:25
I agree basically with what you've said, but my original point was exactly that there would be opportunities outside. No orchestra, particularly a third-tier, truly works an intense schedule. Factor in that the summers are open in this orchestra, and even more time is available. It isn't sufficient to look at the job in the orchestra alone and place one's income solely in that ballpark.
But back to your original assertion, a full-time playing job as principal with all the outside opportunities available is a fantastic opportunity for the hundreds of young and musically unemployed clarinetists. It always surprises me that these auditions don't draw more people.
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Author: Fontalvo
Date: 2007-05-08 05:44
Well, one this is for sure.....MONEY does not make you happy.....Having satisfaction in life is what makes us happy. As musicians, playing music gives us fullfillment
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-05-08 16:11
Dave,
The same thing happened to me for the upcoming Kansas City audition. While I was not extended an invitation, the letter did say it is their policy to try to hear all people who want to audition. They couldn't guarantee me an audition slot, but basically invited me to "crash" the audition and stand by ready to play in case there are no-shows and cancellations. Also, they were kind enough to send me the audition music.
A friend told me that legally, an orchestra can't prohibit someone from showing up at an audition. So, if you think you have a shot and believe in what you're doing, try calling the personnel manager and say you would really really like to audition. Maybe you'll get a shot.
GBK, I agree with JJ. In addition to the principal clarinet position there, there is probably a market for other musical endeavors in an area not saturated with good clarinetists. Here in the DC area, it's hard to get a shot, partly because of the high concentration of excellent military band musicians.
RR, good thoughts. Believe in what you are doing (and work really really hard!). I have to keep reminding myself of that all the time. Perhaps I'll see you there? I got invited. :-) BTW, I too was denied an audition time for Haddonfield. You and I both have family there, would have been a good opportunity...it's their loss, I guess.
-Claritoot26
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Author: grifffinity
Date: 2007-05-08 16:43
Quote:
I have a relatively strong resume, but i was denied from Haddonfield New Jersey symphony audition.
That's surprising. Haddonfield is actually considered a training type orchestra (they accept College students to professionals) I live in NJ and know several musicians in the orchestra. It's possible they only accept applicants that live in the general vacinity - PA and NJ. They accepted my application to audition 2 years ago for the principal position which was open - but I had to cancel after I broke my finger. I live in central NJ.
BTW - you would be surprised how many college grads outside of music make less than $30 K starting salary. Accounting clerks, admin assistants who are expected to have a Bachelors are lucky to make $10 - 12 an hour... in NJ!!! NJ is an extremely expensive state to live in, for anyone who doesn't know.
I'm completing my MBA, and you'd be surprised how little some jobs are paying for someone of my qualifications. It's not only musicians.
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Author: FrankM
Date: 2007-05-08 18:03
In my area of New York, starting salary for a teacher is around 30K and a Masters Degree is required.
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2007-05-08 18:25
GBK,
Thank you for the uplifting words. To put things in perspective, in 2005, the median annual household income according to the US Census Bureau was determined to be $46,326.
30K for a 39 weeks season doing something you love doesn't look that bad anymore...
-Sylvain
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: Brandon
Date: 2007-05-08 23:59
Also, the Memphis job is just a one year position if I am not mistaken.
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Author: Kevin
Date: 2007-05-09 05:39
I don't know. 30 thousand dollars a year may not be a lot, but for a single job playing clarinet, it's an impressive figure, especially coming from a third tier orchestra. And don't forget - it's a lot less hours required than in your typical 9-5 workplace, and that opens up lots of oppurtunities (mainly teaching) to supplement an income.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-05-09 06:43
>NJ is an extremely expensive state to live in, for anyone who doesn't know.
When I was there everything seemed much less expensive (than in my country), and the paychecks higher.....
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Author: grifffinity
Date: 2007-05-09 13:29
clarnibass wrote:
> >NJ is an extremely expensive state to live in, for anyone who
> doesn't know.
>
> When I was there everything seemed much less expensive (than in
> my country), and the paychecks higher.....
I am comparing the cost of living in NJ with other states in the U.S, not with living abroad. Compared with Memphis, TN earning $30K in NJ isn't getting you much further than your parents basement.
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Author: Bradley
Date: 2007-05-09 14:35
I agree with people defending the $30k a year, considering even college Professors can start with little more than that.
The case for defense has been made about the job's salary, but in addition to wondering what the point of degrading an orchestra position is....why are you surprised so many people showed up, GBK? In questioning the choice to pursue performance in this day an age, you eagerly gave me statistics about how many qualified clarinetists graduate every year from leading music institutions. Why WOULDN'T there be a large number of qualified applicants for a fulltime job like the one in question? Also, while it scares me about my own future (although not too much, it motivates me to practise which is always a good thing to me), I'm glad there are so many applicants. Why should be settle for sub-par playing from any size full time professional orchestra if we don't have to? In a city where that's the major orchestral organization (unless i'm mistaken) why should their audience have to settle if there are enough great players to go around?
Bradley
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Author: Ed
Date: 2007-05-09 16:18
"Well, one this is for sure.....MONEY does not make you happy.....Having satisfaction in life is what makes us happy. As musicians, playing music gives us fullfillment"
I don't want to discourage anyone from the dream of playing. There are certainly many positives. BUT also remember that satisfaction in life doesn't put food on the table, pay health insurance, retirement, mortgage, etc, etc.
I don't think that GBK is trying to discourage anyone, but to merely inject a bit of reality into the discussion.
I have seen many musicians get discouraged, burned out, disenchanted, etc. Many get angry and frustrated, many leave the business because they had dreams of being a musician and then find that they cannot make ends meet. They simply get tired of scrapping for every little bit they can to pay the bills.
Follow your dreams, don't forget your loves, but don't forget the reality of making a living.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2007-05-09 16:58
I also have seen MANY talented players leave music performance precisely for the reasons that Ed has outlined above.
Not to say that trying to break into this very tough market should not be attempted if you have the desire and requisite ability. Moving and relocating to a new geographic area for only a 1 year position, for many people is just too much of a deterrent. Combining that with the reality of meager pay and having to work aditional jobs to make ends meet, all just to support the mundane everyday expenses of living, is not the career path which many want to follow.
As I've said many times - A struggling musician is not a pretty sight.
The classical market is already glutted (and constantly growing) with players whose ability borders on the unbelieveable. All the while, the demand for live classical music grows smaller with each year.
That being said, when a student asks me about a career in performing, sometimes knowing the entire picture will help them (and their parents) to make an informed decision.
BTW - I checked the salary schedule of my wife's school district and 1st year teachers with an MA (required) start at $50,050...GBK
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Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2007-05-10 16:45
The Memphis season is from October to May. With four months off in the summer one should be able to pick up a $6-8000 extra.
To someone familiar with the professional scene for the 40s and 50s the high stadards of playing today are hair raising!
The auditions must be full of equally talented people...how to separate them really must be difficult.
I read somewhere that Ricky Morales didn't make the first cut in an audition for a second tier orchestra and a week later was hired by the Met!
Clarinet Redux
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Author: energia eolica
Date: 2007-05-11 18:28
Well, getting back to the original start of this htread, this audition seems to be run very poorly. The orchestra accepted a number of resumes in the beginning, before the closing date and have since turned down a number of highly-qualified candidates on the basis of "not enough room." I'm sure they'll get a good person for this one year, but this audition has been severely botched.
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Author: musiciandave
Date: 2007-05-12 21:21
RodRubber - Haddonfield is pretty much just a student orchestra.
You didn't miss anything.
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2007-05-15 16:20
They're human, and hopefully have learned from their mistake. We also had a problem where we had more applicants (for our principal horn vacancy) than we anticipated. We ended up extending the audition times in order to accomodate as many as possible. Last I heard, we accepted everyone for an audition time. Keep in mind that audition committees want to find the best player they can.
As for the salary in Memphis, it's certainly a lot higher than a starting teacher here in Sioux Falls, SD, which pays $26,200. Of course, you can buy a decent two bedroom house here for less than $90,000.
Chris Hill
Post Edited (2007-05-15 16:24)
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-05-15 17:37
So, does anyone know who the winner was for this audition? Congratulations to whoever won.
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Author: clarinerd
Date: 2007-05-16 03:53
Ben Lulich who is currently playing in Kansas City, MO. He is was also recently the winner of the Colorado Music Festival audition Asst. Principal/Eb audition.
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