Author: Ralph G
Date: 2002-07-29 04:09
Can the professional orchestra players tell me if I'm dreaming here?
I wanna play in the pro symphony in my city (Corpus Christi, TX). They have a six-month season (usually October-April) during which they play one concert per month, plus the Nutcracker at Christmas with the ballet and a benefit gig on the 4th of July. Last season they carried only two clarinetists. Lord only knows when an opening may come available. Anyway, it's a decent orchestra but not world class.
My background: I'm 35, been playing since 1979. Majored in music my first year in college (85-86) but didn't take it as seriously as I should've, so I changed to communications and kept playing for fun. My current profession is public relations. Since college I've played in a summer municipal band from '95-'99 and was part of a church choir. Then my horn broke and I hardly picked it up for three years. I just got married this year and my wife had my horn fixed (I think I'll keep her!). Now I'm going at it with a vengeance; playing in two different community bands and aiming to play in two more after the summer.
A dear friend of mine and my wife's recently became executive director of the symphony and keeps telling us that I need to give it a shot next time a clarinet slot is open. After going "yeah, right" a bunch of times I admit she's got me dreaming now. Li'l ol' me becoming a pro clarinetist sounds mighty cool.
So would I be wise to give this dream up? Currently my orchestral experience is ZERO.
And just for grins, what's the best way to prepare for such an audition? Method books, orchestral excerpt books?
Let the laughter and derision commence!
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