Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2015-07-03 01:40
Congratulations to Mark Nuccio. I wish him much success in Houston!
Dave, you raise an interesting point. When I was in college in the 70s, I knew many clarinet performance majors who graduated with masters degrees and found college teaching jobs. They weren't necessarily at the biggest or most prestigious institutions, but they found jobs.
I know several more-recent masters performance graduates, and they're struggling. They get by teaching private lessons, working in non-music jobs, and/or playing in regional orchestras. Some play gigs or perform in orchestra pits. There are some part-time jobs for them in small colleges and community colleges, but the job opportunities seem to be limited. Most colleges now seem to want a PhD or DMA, and even those degrees are not a guarantee that one will find stable employment.
For the fortunate few who find jobs with major orchestras, the lack of a PhD or DMA doesn't seem to be a problem if they want to teach in a college setting. It seems to me that having a Richie Hawley on your faculty does more to attract students than a teacher with a PhD, but little orchestral performance experience and name recognition. The second type of teacher might be wonderful and gradually make a name for himself or herself, but the first type brings in the serious performance majors. Please understand that this is in no way a slam against Richie Hawley--he's a great performer and teacher.
When I look at college faculty bios of clarinet professors, I notice something interesting. They usually start with "_______ is in great demand as a performer and clinician. He/she has performed solo recitals to great acclaim across the USA and Europe. ______ has performed with the ______ orchestra(s)." If the orchestras aren't well-known, several are listed to give the impression (perhaps correctly) that the teacher has extensive orchestral performance experience. Summer festival orchestras are also listed. A college teacher I once studied with (I'll omit his name) was an extra for one season with a major orchestra, and that's listed in his bio.
I really don't want to put these people down. Some are truly wonderful performers and teachers, and I give them credit for what they accomplished.
Still, I wonder if a few of those who did play in major orchestras look down a bit at those who never did.
Even though the following story doesn't prove anything, it has bothered me for many years. When I was working on a graduate degree in music ed., I studied briefly with a principal player in a major orchestra. He was an outstanding musician, but his personality left a lot to be desired. He saw me do something during a lesson, and became quite agitated.
"Where did you learn that?" he roared. I answered that an undergraduate teacher had suggested it. The former teacher did have some performance experience in a major orchestra, but this new teacher didn't seem to care. He then began quite a tirade.
"There are some teachers who teach in universities. They haven't performed in a major orchestra! They think they're so fancy with their PhDs! They sit in their offices all day and come up with silly little tricks--that's what they do!"
I was speechless. It was quite unprofessional, but I knew better than to say anything. My last lesson with him was a happy occasion.
Post Edited (2015-07-03 01:47)
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