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Re: Musical apathy after "tenure"

Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2012-11-15 17:16

I don't know how the band program is structured now, but when I played in the Army Field Band during the Vietnam era, you may have had a guaranteed "contract" with the U.S. Army, but your continued tenure in the Field Band was contingent on a number of expectations, both military and musical, and failing in meeting them could have gotten you reassigned (which at the time would have been to a combat unit in S.E. Asia). So it wasn't as if they had no stick to go with the carrot of a stable assignment with otherwise good job security in relatively comfortable conditions.

I've seen teachers who were near to retirement go into coasting mode. Once they know they're getting rid of you sooner than later, most administrators won't go the effort it takes to light a realistic fire under such a teacher (by, for example, threatening dismissal with cause).

The only orchestral musicians I have regular contact with are either members of the Philadelphia Orchestra or colleagues in the free-lance groups I play in. I can't speak for the older string players in the Philadelphia Orchestra, but the orchestra uses a rotating system past the first stand of each section, so they're liable to find themselves very close to the front some weeks. Besides, many of them play in outside chamber groups, solo recitals, etc. and need to keep their chops up. As far as my free-lance colleagues are concerned, their next jobs may well depend on how they perform in today's concert or rehearsal. There's *no* job security among free-lance players.

Karl

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