Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2012-08-28 15:18
Hi Tanya,
It has been almost three years since my oboe and I moved to a new city -- bigger than where I had been, with more opportunities, but also more competition. I can tell you a little of what I have done, and experienced while getting "established" in my new surroundings.
I am not at the level you are -- just an "advanced amateur" -- so that may make a difference. But I suspect that, whatever the level, there are some basic strategies that would work.
First of all, I went on the path of least resistance -- two community groups -- even though that was not my ultimate goal. Everything I have done here stems from that.
In one group, I met someone who was involved with an auditioned group that needed an oboist. I got asked to sub, then was allowed to audition, and accepted into that group. A year or so later, I was asked to join a WW5 based in that group, and also to participate in a summer chamber music event.
From another basic group, I was able to meet two other like-minded people who were interested in forming a WW5. We found another member from one of my original community groups, and the fifth came from word of mouth. Today, this group, Cambiata Winds, is actively gigging and getting paid to do so. We did our first ever "tour" this past summer -- a low key, low budget affair, but worthwhile.
In the meantime, an acquaintance of one of the Cambiata members contacted her needing an oboist to help with his son's presentation of a Mozart violin concerto. My performance there caught the ear of the director of a local youth orchestra, who supplements her string students with adult wind players, so I got invited to join that symphony. From there, I have gotten invited to play with another small ensemble, and a pick-up orchestra doing a benefit concert. While doing that concert, I learned of an oboe opening in a very high-level regional symphony. I am not at the point of being able to audition for that, but if I were, there it would be!!
And most recently, one of the Cambiata members who plays in a regional symphony alerted me to the fact that her symphony was seeking a Principal Oboist. I happen to know the director (who was a clinician at an event I attended as a member of one of the original community groups), so I contacted him, and he was delighted to offer me the position directly.
So, in less than three years' time,I have gone from knowing no one and having no where to play, to being so d*** busy I cannot possibly do any more without dropping out of something else.
Again, all of this is on MY level, and doesn't always involve getting paid (although it sometimes does). But NETWORKING and saying yes to just about everything that came my way has genuinely paid off for me.
Best wishes to you!
Susan
Post Edited (2012-08-28 15:21)
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