The Oboe BBoard

The Oboe BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Re: Engineers, Nurses and Bears! OH MY!

Author: Wes
Date: 2011-04-16 18:33

For me, there was no choice between electrical engineering and music. With good training and some experience in both fields, there were many well paying and interesting jobs in engineering and very little in music, by comparison. From childhood on a farm in ND, I wanted both.

While studying engineering with no money at the U of MN, I played in orchestras, bands, chamber music, and even did a little solo tour. Earl Handlon was my clarinet teacher who was also Robert Marcellus's first teacher. Later, in Los Angeles, I studied with Mitchell Lurie, Ben Kanter, Salvatore Spano, and others. I've continued as a free lance woodwind player in the Los Angeles area for years and also done some teaching.

As an engineer, I've worked in foreign countries some and had a great time. I studied and taught EE also at USC for a while and had a good variety in my work. For example, I've worked on the design of brain tumor detectors, missiles, satellite ground equipment, and spread spectrum high speed modems. The most public task I had was to go to China with president Nixon in 1972 to provide satellite communications for that event.

Actually, I was told that I did/do not have an aggressive personality, the most acceptable ethnic or religion background, family connections, or "old boy network" that could have aided a music career, especially in Los Angeles. No regrets!

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics