 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2010-12-05 13:08
Hi DB,
I really enjoyed this article, thanks. But this type of "downsizing" (or is it right-sizing or capsizing?) is rampant out here in the Midwest.
Granted, I would not take many of the gigs I did 20-30 years ago because I'm getting older, the knees and back do not allow me to stand for a 4 hour club job, and I enjoy being at home with my wife and my "stuff." But the simple truth is there are not as many clubs with bands, discretionary income is limited for many people, and the way the music is provided - DJ, soloist with an amazing electronic device, etc - has all changed.
I did work a gig last night at the Toledo Club where I could have usually counted on a job or two per month 30 years. I worked with guys that I have known for decades who are great players and fun to work with in any type ensemble. But we all talked on breaks about "got a New Year's eve job, whatever happened to so-and-so that used to play...," and other melancholy musings.
It appears that live music jobs in most of the traditional places are becoming like live radio, vaudeville, 8 tracks/cassettes, and similar "old-fashioned" pursuits, a thing of the past.
It as great while it lasted.
HRL
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Author: William
Date: 2010-12-05 15:48
Yes, less music venues are hiring "live" music and the public is staying away from classical concerts. Perhaps it is time for the musician to play for love of music rather than love (or need) of money. As the public dictates the definition of "professional musician", it may be time for professional musicians to become musicians with a profession (other than playing). Sad, but it may come to this. Not to bring up an old thread, but I wonder if the Music Schools--who still push "Performance Majors"--are reading this???
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Author: allencole
Date: 2010-12-07 06:15
A lot of it depends on the amateur musician. Our school programs should be breeding not only good players, but people who appreciate the music. Sadly, this isn't true in most areas.
On the other hand, I have to say that music has gotten much more fun for me since the money dried up. 25 years ago, I'd have 9 gigs in 7 days with the same band. There would be almost no opportunity to accept a job in a trad.jazz, German or Klezmer band. No time no how to play in community groups.
I'm playing like crazy now, although money is pretty slim. I teach lessons, work as a church music director, and even write a little. It's not the world I stepped out into from college 30 years ago, but even for musicians all the news isn't bad.
Allen Cole
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Author: mamashep
Date: 2010-12-07 07:52
Allen, I totally agree on your point about not educating students to become music appreciators. I remember being REQUIRED to pick a music class and participate when I jointed Jr. High. Now, students are lucky if they have a spot open for a band or orchestra class during consecutive years in school, and general music class is quickly becoming a thing of the past here in Utah. Instead, they are offering one semester of group guitar class and calling it music education. It is absolutely dismal out there.
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Author: William
Date: 2010-12-07 15:02
"A lot of it depends on the amateur musician. Our school programs should be breeding not only good players, but people who appreciate the music. Sadly, this isn't true in most areas."
And, it will probably get worse before it gets better. The main concern of public schools these days is in producing more mathematicians and scientists--something foreign schools seem to be doing "better". Also, the business community wants the public school graduate to be "job ready" after high school graduation, so there is also a push for computor and secretarial skills. Like it or not, the popularity of the professional sports teams--and the money their players & coaches are making--make 'neccessary' middle and high school sports education programs. That leaves little time in the overscheduled school day for art and music classes to meet on a realistic basis, nor little real "justification" for their existance at all. If music programs do exist, they are probably last to receive budgeted monies for instrument replacement, repair and purchase of new music. FWIW, twenty five years ago, my own middle school principal told me in private, that if he could have his way, he would "do away with the music department". He didn't like the vocal music teacher and thought that her chorus's were, "horse s**t". Fortunately, our public school master schedule would not let him do that and he realized that the "parents would never go along with such a move". However, times have changed and in these times, if he were still working, he might just be able to get his way.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2010-12-09 13:16
>>A lot of it depends on the amateur musician. Our school programs should be breeding not only good players, but people who appreciate the music. Sadly, this isn't true in most areas.
>>
It can be true if people will go to the trouble of making it true. A few nights ago, NBC Nightly News ran a "Making a Difference" segment on a string trio of cousins. They're excellent. They're African American young women (the oldest is 18 and the youngest is 13) and they make a point of playing for inner city grammar school classes, to encourage more African American kids to take up classical music. The classroom shown was an ordinary grade school class, not a music class. The trio didn't go in there preaching about how classical music is good for you and you should sit there and pay attention whether you like it or not and blah blah blah. They played the music and it sold itself. It was obvious the cousins enjoyed what they were doing. Those children's faces lit up, too, as they listened -- and afterwards, some of those kids speculated about whether they could learn to play like that.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2010-12-09 13:21
That's a nice heartwarming story, Lelia, but do (or could) the string trio players make any sort of a living at what they do? We've already established that music is a wonderful hobby or avocation as long as one has a steady non-musical job to live on, the question is whether or not a player can make a living from his playing. The public is usually willing to be pleased by the arts, as long as the arts come to them (rather than vice-versa), and they don't have to pay anything for the privilege. Sorry for the negative vibes during holiday season ![[frown]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie2.gif)
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Author: JAS
Date: 2010-12-09 17:44
>>"That's a nice heartwarming story, Lelia, but do (or could) the string trio players make any sort of a living at what they do?"
I think you're missing the point of the story. The lack of appreciation for music is much of the problem, and this string trio was introducing live classical music to an inner city school.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2010-12-09 18:51
A string trio has about as much chance at financial success as a Buddy Holly cover band. Perhaps less so, because Buddy Holly is more recent. They're both playing old music that they like because they consider it awesome. Nothing at all wrong with that, and I think it's a cool thing, but you don't start a cover band of 200 year old music and expect to make a living off it unless you really have a solid idea on how to make that work.
It has very little to do with "waning support for the arts" and a lot more to do with "there just isn't money in it."
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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