 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: RosscoTosca
Date: 2024-08-18 21:25
Hello all,
I'm moving to a new area and looking for an amateur orchestra to play in and although there are lots of them, they have all replied to my enquiries saying a variation of the following, 'we have all the clarinet players we need.'
Some operate a waiting list but most have just said tough luck.
Does anyone have any advice on how to get around the problem of too many clarinet players not enough clarinet chairs? I hoped that improving my technique to grade 8 would count for something but it seems that no-one even has auditions.
I really enjoy playing in mu current local symphony orchestra and wind band and really sad to give that up.
Please help!
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Author: kdk
Date: 2024-08-18 21:47
You might mention your new area here on the BBoard and see if anyone has a local suggestion.
Sometimes you can get in with an orchestra by offering to substitute when needed. The orchestras may have their chairs filled by regular players, but players get sick or have conflicts and being on a sub list is one way possibly to become known to the section leader.
Unfortunately, I suppose the problem is the same for professional and amateur orchestras - far more clarinetists than orchestral chairs. You might broaden your search slightly to include amateur concert bands. If there are any nearby, they use more clarinets and often aren't as strict about numbers. You might get a band to squeeze you into a clarinet section even if the have as many as they need. Again, people have conflicts and get sick and need to miss rehearsals or even concerts.
Once you're known, you're likelier (not a given) to be considered if someone leaves and a regular chair opens up.
Karl
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Author: davyd
Date: 2024-08-19 19:22
Learn bass clarinet. That was my initial ticket into an amateur orchestra. I bided my time, helping out where I could (setting up chairs, playing the easier percussion instruments, helping the librarian, doing arrangements, etc.) until the 2nd clarinet position opened up.
Learning Eb clarinet wouldn't hurt, but it's less likely to be needed for the repertoire amateur orchestras typically play.
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Author: John Peacock
Date: 2024-08-19 23:43
Have you seen https://amateurorchestras.org.uk ? I was astonished at the number of groups it listed in my area, many of which I had never heard of. Certainly in these parts (Edinburgh) there are wind bands that would always welcome extra clarinet players. As you comment, orchestras are harder. But for the ones I play in, there is regularly the need to find players to dep for rehearsals where someone can't appear. In those circumstances, I tend to invite unknown players who get in touch; this is a much more realistic way of judging their ability than setting up an artificial audition. The thing that influences me more than anything else in picking players for such opportunities is experiece - so my advice in contacting groups would be to emphasise which orchestras you played in previously, which position, and summary of key repertoire performed. Probably you did all that already, in which case I can only say good luck: opportunities will present themselves eventually, but it can be difficult to be patient.
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2024-08-20 06:14
Good luck. The only way to lessen the number of clarinetists is to not start like 25 each year in every elementary band program.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2024-08-20 10:35
Things happen, people come and go.
I'd e-mail the orchestras you'd like to pay with and ask to place you on a wait list, and check periodically if a position opened up
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Author: Bennett ★2017
Date: 2024-08-20 22:29
Maybe settle for a band until an orchestra spot opens up. Some of the band clarinets may have advice as they know the local goings-on
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Author: Jordan Selburn
Date: 2024-08-23 07:48
The challenge you're facing is that in my experience, wind players in amateur orchestras (as in professional groups) are generally not going to give up their seat until a) a better chair becomes available (and often then, they'll just add the new group) or b) they leave due to age, family/work commitments, etc. Otherwise, that seat can easily be occupied for 20, 30, even 50 years. Unless a player has declined to a very noticeable amount, a community group isn't going to fire a player just to "trade up", not matter how much better you might be than the current seatholder.
Given that, your best bet is to find any/all groups that are open in your new area, even the "dust off your instrument and play" bands. As you get known and make contacts, you'll get more opportunities.
Also, something that cannot be overemphasized is that most community groups are absolutely begging for people to volunteer. Man the ticket booth, create marketing collateral, join the board, write grants (that'll get you noticed!). There is a clarinetist who is doing exactly that kind of volunteer work for one of my groups and guess what? While the regular players (who have each been with the group >20 years) aren't leaving their chairs anytime soon, when the orchestra needs a clarinetist for a larger piece, or one of us is on vacation and needs to miss a set, he's absolutely the first player called.
Jordan
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Author: ebonite
Date: 2024-08-23 11:51
I second the advice to learn the bass clarinet.
Find a good instrument, and spend time learning how to play it well. Make sure you are comfortable with bass clef and A transposition
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Author: graham
Date: 2024-08-23 14:08
If getting a bass, it's much better to get one down to bottom C.
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