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Re: Clarinet Salaries

Author: Danny Boy
Date: 2008-08-16 14:29

Speaking as someone in the European orchestral 'market', the only exact figure I can give you of a salary is the recently advertised City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra principal clarinet job, probably in the UK top ten and probably towards the bottom end of that - £36K

I've been seriously applying for and auditioning for jobs for the past year or so - I've done four auditions (2 for the same job a year apart) in this country and six or so in other European countries.

Bearing in mind I apply for just about anything that comes up in Europe (save for countries where security concerns me or I have absolutely NO grasp of the language) you get an idea of how often positions are becoming available.

I made the second round on all except 2 auditions, was added to the extra list of or offered freelance work with two orchestras and trialled for a position with one. Each position has had at least two full days worth of auditionees at around ten minutes a piece - say 60-80 auditionees. That's after they'd already weeded several out through the application process itself.

It's a long, and in some cases demoralising slog. I know that there are MANY players far better than me in many ways, that everyone has their own strengths and there are plenty of players who I can probably play better than - but have to remember that there is always some better than you.

Comparing the US job market and the European one - they're both ultra competitive and extremely lean.

You have to be 100% sure you want to do this and be prepared for plenty of bumps along the way.

That being said - I earn a good salary for my age through freelance work and lots of teaching, both in schools and privately.

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2008-08-16 01:19