The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: nbblazer
Date: 2007-07-20 16:52
We have been playing together for a couple years performing at local University stuff, and we'd all like to perform a little more often and get into the community a little more. None of us have any experience performing professionally, we're all undergrads.
What's the best way to go about finding gigs? Should I be concerned with copyright if I'm writing or arranging things and then performing them from prints off of Finale? Is there a source of gig music or wedding music for clarinet quartet or should I just go to the string quartets and arrange my own? What should I expect to be paid for playing at a wedding? What are some good string quartets for this sort of thing that would be good to arrange?
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Author: grifffinity
Date: 2007-07-20 18:37
If you want to start marketing yourself, a great first step is to record a CD ,make a mini-portfolio and create a website. When my old piano trio was assessing gig opportunities in the Suburban Boston area, we contacted a few libraries which offer performances. Most requested us to submit a CD and some bio information. Unfortunately, we had to disband the trio due to our pianists unexpected pregnancy, so we never got our materials together.
You can create a nice portfolio with business cards and website fairly cheaply - if you have the knowledge or know the right people. It also makes you look more professional. How well you play is important, but so is the "Gloss" of looking like you play well!
To find gigs, I suggest you scout libraries and museums in your area. You may not get paid at first, but you will have an opportunity to reach the public in the beginning stages of your career. Also, you may find future gigs - weddings, parties, etc, from these public performances. You can also advertise your group for weddings on websites like Craigslist.org - which get a lot of hits. My cellist friend finds tons of wedding gigs that way.
As for copyright - works that you transcribe and edit for your group that are public domain (Bach, Mozart, etc.) should not be an issue. It may be an issue if you perform a public domain work which was recently transcribed by someone else or newly published. There are many people on this board who are familiar with these issues. I hope they chime in.
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Author: William Hughes ★2017
Date: 2007-07-20 19:07
Our clarinet choir plays at local nursing and retirement homes. No pay, but you will never find a more appreciative audience.
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Author: John25
Date: 2007-07-20 19:37
Regarding transcribing works, I would avoid string quartets - my experience is that they don't go very well on clarinets, and in any case are not very suitable for many audiences. You do not say what your line-up is - is it 4 clarinets, 3 clarinets + bass cl, Eb + Bb + basset-horn + bass cl? June Emerson's catalogue contains over 500 works and arrangements for clarinet quartet. Have a look at www.juneemerson.co.uk - you should find something suitable.
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