 The Clarinet BBoard
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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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Author: DougR
Date: 2008-06-09 03:22
I just want to say a a quick "thanks" for all your recent posts, Ed. I'm really glad you're showing up on the board more frequently because I respect your point of view very much (maybe it's because I too love bass clarinet), and this post is a case in point.
As for me, I've either been in, or in the periphery of, several "artsy" occupations (music, theatre, film) and I've seen how often, despite talent and years of hard work, success on one's most desired terms can prove to be impossible. Of course one has to go for EXACTLY what one wants, but one also has to prepare to make the best of whatever one's circumstances end up being, after one has given one's all. That's life, I think.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2008-06-09 14:55
I noticed in a recent Time Magazine article the correlation in job satisfaction between prison guards and professional musicians. Made me wonder a bit.
Drapkin's article's mention of being subjected to micromanagement of "the worst kind" (directorial interference) has to give pause!
Auditions: ouch.
A few weeks ago, I had a perfect audition. I picked the material to be played and had my great teacher guide me through it. It came off flawlessly (to my satisfaction). I got the gig and found myself in 'way over my head!
Bob Phillips
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Author: hans
Date: 2008-06-09 15:25
ESP,
I admire your attitude and philosophy. Thanks for sharing your experience and wisdom.
Best regards,
Hans
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2008-06-09 16:03
Loved reading your post, ESP. I will definitely read that article.
"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."
You hit the nail on the head there. I was beginning to feel this kind of regret while attempting to finish my masters' degree in physics in Lowell, Massachusetts. [I played clarinet all the while, and was even co-winner of a university-wide concerto competition]. My thesis was going nowhere, I was working full-time at a laser company, which I hated, and all I wanted to do after work was play music. I had always heard about people who worked as engineers or scientists during the day and then performed with famous musicians at nights and on weeekends. In fact, a former physics professor where I was studying in Lowell went on to be a hornist in the Boston Symphony...their principal trombonist was a former engineer. And to this day, possibly the best orchestra I ever played with was the MIT Summer Philharmonic Orchestra, which was made up mostly of students in technical fields. This kind of life seemed glamorous, until I started working full-time and realized how difficult it was (for me, at least) to keep up my skills and improve on clarinet.
So, at age 30, after being laid off from my job, I tried to finish the thesis for a little while, just for the sake of completion....couldn't do it, so I moved to Maryland to be with my significant other (now husband of almost 5 years), returned to school the next year to focus completely on music, and never looked back.
Now I don't wonder "what if..." I just do. I'm still improving and taking auditions and performing as much as I can, but not as much as I'd like. We live in a tiny apartment and I'm completely self-employed with about 16 or so students and sporadic gigs. Still, I'm very happy I made the switch, and reading your post reaffirms my belief that I did the right thing, even if I never win a professional audition.
ESP, I'm glad you have enjoyed a wonderful career, and glad you enjoy teaching so much. It shows, and that's one of the reasons why I go to you for occasional lessons. It's refreshing to have a teacher who enjoys that part of his profession and genuinely has his students' best interests at heart.
So now you know my story. See you soon,
-Lori (a.k.a. Claritoot26)
...and now to lunch, then practicing.
Lori
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Author: Dileep Gangolli
Date: 2008-06-09 18:01
Mr. Palanker,
Not only do I enjoy your posts but your wonderful, dry sense of humor in the Clarinet magazine articles you write periodically.
Keep on posting!
DRG
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-06-09 22:19
Bob Phillips Thanks for your post. I know there are a lot of orchestra musicians that are bitter, something that I don't always understand. I can't believe the comparison to prison guards though, maybe with stress but job satisfaction? Sure there are ups and downs with every profession but those people need to think hard about what they would be doing if it wasn't making music. As my former colleague and friend said, "It beat's working for a living" to bad it's so tough to get a good job in the first place. ESP
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