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Pit Orchestra Parts: Elimination to Save Dollars

Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2010-06-07 18:03

Hi Everyone,

I'm in the midst of a 6 show run of Victor/Victoria by a very good local rep company and something is bothering me a lot.

My book is Reed V (bari sax, BC, clarinet, and bassoon; I use either bari or BC and transpose for fagotto since I do not own one. Additionally in the woodwind section are Reed I and Reed II. Evidently Reed III and IV, although part of the orchestration are not being played. Also eliminated are Violin II, Trumpet III, Trombone II, and guitar. So for an orchestration that calls for 20 bodies we are using 14.

Here's the problem. Everyone is playing their parts well but all too often, some weird harmonies and voicing are readily apparant. In fact, a clarinet friend chatted with me during internission and said "What's wrong with the arrangements and the band ..."

Obviously. the cost saving are at the root of the issue and the harmony be damned. Is this becoming a common practice in places outside of NYC?

HRL

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