Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-06-09 02:41
Has anyone read Michael Drapkins article “The Rise of the Industrial Clarinetist” in the newest Clarinet Journal? If not, you should, it’s a very interesting article. I want to give a performing musicians point of view on what he says. I do often feel guilty about accepting students to Peabody knowing that they have little chance of getting a decent orchestra job so I do two things. I let them know from the get go what it’s like and how difficult it will be to get a job and encourage them to learn all the clarinet family, as I did, to better their chances. Everyone can’t or doesn’t have to be a principal. I also encourage them to have an opened mind about going into a military band or thinking about what else they can do to make a living in music. Teaching, business management, recording etc.
The thing is this. If someone has it in their hearts desire to try to make a living through music and they don’t give it a try, knowing how difficult it is, they could regret it all their life that they didn’t try. If at age forty, they are unhappy with their job or profession outside of music and didn’t give music a try, they could have great regrets for not at least trying. Besides, those that don’t make it can still use their music education to play in local groups, semi professional or good amateur ensembles or chamber music groups to get satisfaction out of what may be a very dull life otherwise, especially if they are in a dead end job. Playing music can be a salvation for many, even at that level.
I’ve been a professional musician for 46 years now, 45 of them playing clarinet and bass clarinet in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, yes I was a mere toddler when I got my first job in Halifax Nova Scotia. I’ve never regretted it a bit. Yes, I’ve been bored sometimes, who isn’t. I’ve disliked the conductors some times, who hasn’t. But I still love my job. I still look at the next years schedule and get excited about much of the repertoire, and yes, a little disappointed at some too. When I see Mahler’s 6th listed, as it is for next year, my heart skips a beat. When I see Rhapsody in Blue listed, I think, “again”. So I take it in stride. I still play a lot of chamber music and have done many solo recitals. As my friend and former 2nd clarinet player Gordon Miller used to say, it beats working for a living. Yes, it was tough in the “good old days” when I only had a 30 week season so I taught a lot to help make a living. I love to teach so when we got a full 52 week season years ago I didn’t cut my teaching, it becomes part of a person when it’s something they love to do. I don’t think of it as a way to earn a living, I teach now because I want to.
Yes it’s true, many orchestra musicians are bitter, some depressed and some angry, how is that different from your local postal worker? I’ve never heard of an orchestra musician going postal. And there are many other benefits. I’ve been on tours to places I would never have been able to go, and it didn’t cost me a cent. My house is full of souvenirs from all over the world. I’ve made friends with people from around the world. But most of all, I know if I didn’t give it a try I would always wonder “what if” as I was driving a truck as my father did. ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457, (listen to a little Mozart)
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