 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2012-11-15 16:46
I put "tenure" in quotes because I'm in the military and while we don't have "tenure", we get signed for a contract where it's difficult for them to fire us.
I'm just wondering what other people's experiences have been with themselves or others falling into this category. Meaning, have you or others you've seen hit a point of tenure or just some point where they stay in a musical job, but practice less and less or not at all and you've seen their skills deteriorate because of it?
I've seen it, and I don't want to be it, but does it happen more often than what I see? Is it a normal thing in every orchestra? Maybe that 3rd violinist has given up hope of ever being principle or having a solo career and now decides to settle for "good enough" or settle for playing "ok" compared to how they used to play a few years ago.....?
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: kdk
Date: 2012-11-15 17:16
I don't know how the band program is structured now, but when I played in the Army Field Band during the Vietnam era, you may have had a guaranteed "contract" with the U.S. Army, but your continued tenure in the Field Band was contingent on a number of expectations, both military and musical, and failing in meeting them could have gotten you reassigned (which at the time would have been to a combat unit in S.E. Asia). So it wasn't as if they had no stick to go with the carrot of a stable assignment with otherwise good job security in relatively comfortable conditions.
I've seen teachers who were near to retirement go into coasting mode. Once they know they're getting rid of you sooner than later, most administrators won't go the effort it takes to light a realistic fire under such a teacher (by, for example, threatening dismissal with cause).
The only orchestral musicians I have regular contact with are either members of the Philadelphia Orchestra or colleagues in the free-lance groups I play in. I can't speak for the older string players in the Philadelphia Orchestra, but the orchestra uses a rotating system past the first stand of each section, so they're liable to find themselves very close to the front some weeks. Besides, many of them play in outside chamber groups, solo recitals, etc. and need to keep their chops up. As far as my free-lance colleagues are concerned, their next jobs may well depend on how they perform in today's concert or rehearsal. There's *no* job security among free-lance players.
Karl
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-11-15 21:21
As a prodessional symphony player I can't say I've seen this type of attitude in recent years. Even though we have protection clauses once a person gets tenure, no one takes it for granted. I've never known anyone that just slacked off. One of the reasons is peer presure, no one in the orchestra wants to sit with someone that doesn't cut it in the string section and of course the winds are always on the spot. Another reason is pride. Even string players can be put on the spot when a conductor goes over passages. It becomes obvious when one person is slacking off and they can be fired. Maybe not of the spot like in the Reiner - Szell days but they can be let go after a warning or two and a chance to get it together. I'm sure it happens else where but I don't think you see it much, if at all, in a professional orchestra these days.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-11-17 03:11
Of course the military band program is its own animal.
You refer to a problem that occurs also from the very nature of the system set up in the military (non special bands I must emphasize). As you accrue more time, you (should) gain more rank. As you gain more rank you are expected (MUST) assume more leadership and administrative functions. Rather than people getting lazy (although I suspect there are a percentage that never gave a damn about their axe in the first place) what you see in most of those cases are the ones who ARE doing their "job," and not finding as much time to practice simply because there are only so many hours in a day.
Of course, there are those of us who ALWAYS make music the priority.
We will discuss this more five years from now.
.................Paul Aviles
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