 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: james garica
Date: 2002-04-10 16:10
I'm a member of the chicago youth symphony. Anyhow for next year's season there will be two openings in the orchestra. Now traditionally CYSO is considered the best and since we have such a high quality teachers we have high quality musicians making it very hard to get in. Anyhow, i have probably talked to 15 clarinetists on a regular basis for the last month who are either in the orchestra or trying to get in. I found everyone has some type of bitterness or resentment, from, "oh he has not so good tone" or "that kid he will get in because he's rich" or "they have seniority". Is it just me or do my peers forget it's just youth orchestra? Maybe I forget because more than likely I will return with the youth symphony as principal clarinet. But why does everyone have to be so edgy? I wish everyone would just practice and less talk about it.
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Author: jez
Date: 2002-04-10 17:00
I don't know, James, but maybe it's not such a bad thing. The bitterness doesn't necessarily stop after youth orchestra, so it could be good practice for the standard of back-stabbing that goes on in the profession. Everyone likes to promote themselves and pull others down. I notice you expect to return as principal and wish others would practise more.
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Author: james
Date: 2002-04-10 17:13
is it wrong for me to want others to do well and want for me to be sucessful too?
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Author: Mindy
Date: 2002-04-10 17:59
No James but I think what Jez is saying is, (don't quote me though) is that you also are pulling others down because you are saying that you expect to get principle chair next year and that they just need to practice and be quiet. Of what I read it sounds like you are also doing what the others are doing. I don't like saying this but I also say those things about others. I say...."oh she isn't gonna get in she has a bad tone", "They just can't play like me".....etc... It is almost nature for people to do that, especially when you are a youth. Also, no it is not wrong for you to want others to do well and you also.
I HOPE you understand where I'm coming from. If you don't please please don't get mad at me. Jez probably will come back on and tell you what he/she was trying to say.
Good Luck!!!!
Mindy
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Author: jez
Date: 2002-04-10 18:40
Mindy sums up very well what I was trying to say. By the way it's "he". It sounds to me like you're getting on very well already and like you have the right attitude (see 'ego-typical or talent' posting) to go far. Don't expect others to avoid passing comment on their competitors, but, if you hear remarks directed at you, have the 'arrogance' to ignore them.
Good Luck from me too.
jez
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Author: Chrissie
Date: 2002-04-10 18:55
They're doin' anything to help their own self-esteem... ya know? We all want to be able to think of ourselves as decent players, so we'll either downgrade someone else, or decide that someone else has some kind of edge on us that makes it impossible for us to win. By setting ourselves up for failure that way, we're not disappointing anyone...
It's not necessarily the best way to go about it... but it's typical. Like the others said, just hang on to your confidence and play your best. =)
Good luck-
Chrissie
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Author: Ab
Date: 2002-04-10 20:39
That's just the way things work in the United States.
It's impossible to go up without putting someone else down at least in some way (either playing better than them or badmouthing them behind their backs)
human beings are bloodthirsty, savage beasts.
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Author: Jill
Date: 2002-04-10 20:57
"It's hard to be number one. . ." Those on top are always (OK, often?) criticized by the "wanna-bes." It makes them feel better in the sour grapes sort of way. No more cliches.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-04-10 22:39
James -
It takes talent, and lots of dedication, to get the top positions. It's just as important to you as it is to everyone else. You're lucky, but you also worked hard.
When you're on top, the best thing to do is be pleasant. You can afford it. Anthony Gigliotti, for example, had the sweetest, most serene personality ever. Any way you can find to be nice without being condescending (which isn't easy) will do good. Listen to people, say only nice things (no matter what they say), and be glad you're where you are.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-04-10 23:34
I always try to remember the quote by Mizner:
"Be nice to people on your way up
because you'll meet them on your way down." ...GBK
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Author: Carmen izzo
Date: 2002-04-11 02:54
Yeah James,
Seeing as you went through the same phase two years ago and last year before you entered the orchestra. . .I think you should know why many people have such attitudes. All i care about in my comming audition for your great orchestra is that i do my best and the maestro makes the best choice possible, and that i get in (a little humor never hurts)
your colleague
CARMEN IZZO
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Author: ...
Date: 2002-04-11 03:03
James,
I think it's pretty hard to say that youth orchestras such as CYSO are not based partially upon seniority. As much as you may disagree, 95% of the time, someone in the section will not get kicked out--even if they deserve to be. You may disagree with this one too, but being principal doesn't mean you're the best. Though you may be principal next year, I'm sure there will be other people who are your age, and just as good or better than you. Let's just remember that you're only as good as your last practice...that's IF you practice.
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Author: Forest Aten
Date: 2002-04-11 03:53
Great comment Ken.
Along with that top chair comes the leadership responsibility.
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2002-04-11 21:01
The ideal principal does not become a tyrant and blame his section's mistakes on everyone else. The ideal principal is not perfect and knows it. The ideal principal is not accusatory and does not take his seniority for granted. The ideal principal knows that if one steps on any toes today, they may belong to the feet one will have to kiss tomorrow.
I forget where that came from, but it seems relevant to the situation. There is a lot of "toe-crushing" in the competitive world, and sometimes you really have to kiss the feet (or something else) of the person you disregarded. People need to learn from their mistakes.
From your post, you seem to be close to ideal as a principal, James. Just a word to everyone: please recognize thy mistakes. It'll come in handy.
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