 The Oboe BBoard
|
Author: Tanya Johnson
Date: 2012-08-28 03:44
Hello everyone! I love reading the posts here. This is one of the most active community boards I have come across so I thought I would pose a question.
I moved to a new area and am trying to get established in the music community. I joined a community orchestra and that has been fun but I am looking for professional gigs and students. I am working on contacting the local band directors in my area so they know I am here. I would love to know any other suggestions people have for getting your name out there. Thanks for all the input!
Tanya
www.reedpros.com
www.facebook.com/reedpros
twitter @reedpros
http://www.reedpros.com - purchase handmade oboe reeds
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-08-28 14:49
Hi Tanya,
One of the best things you could probably do for yourself is to talk with the people that are doing what you'd like to be doing. If you want to get more students, maybe you could talk with established teachers in the area. If you want to perform, find out who is doing the performing in the style that you are accustomed to. With any luck, they will know of another ensemble just like theirs that has an opening. If anything, you would at least get a sub call, or they could point you in the right direction. I think every city has their own musical customs and traditions, just like any working environment.
Good luck,
Drew S.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
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)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2012-08-28 17:25
Hi Tanya
I moved to a new area 2 yrs ago and immediately joined the local music conservatory. While this has led me to some contacts, I've found that there is some 'territory' mentality between them and other music groups.
I've also subbed in the local symphony and done some private gigs, paid and volunteer both. I was fortunate to meet a couple and we formed a woodwind trio.
I would say your best bet is to 'schmooze' directly with people. My letters to local band leaders went nowhere, until I met them either online or in person. And my colleagues in my previous town recommended I do some volunteer stuff just to get my face out there.
I'm not sure how big or small your new area is, or what opportunities exist. I was shocked to find in a community of 50k that there were 5 competent oboe players!
But take your time and be pleasant and I'm SURE things will open up for you.
GoodWinds
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: cjwright
Date: 2012-08-28 19:29
1. Take everything that comes your way, even if it's free or pays crap.
2. Find other players that want to do trios/quintets. They can sometimes be your biggest ambassador.
3. Find out who the "pros" are, and go take lessons with them on a regular basis for a short time (once every other week or so). This let's them get to know your competency, and will ultimately lead to gigs being passed down if you're capable.
Blog, An Oboe In Paradise
Solo Oboe, Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Wes
Date: 2012-08-28 20:31
1. In the Los Angeles area, freelance gigs are generally gotten through personal contacts.
2. Don't count on getting gigs through the union in this area.
3. Much of the studio work has been shifted overseas and the remainder is quite tightly held by incumbents.
4. Unemployed or underemployed studio musicians have become available for the community groups that rehearse and play for free.
5. There are very many competent musicians in this area who are also looking for musical employment.
6. Driving time and traffic in Los Angeles area can be a factor in musical employment. "Oh, by the way, the gig is in Palm Springs" is something I've heard, but you cannot turn those gigs down, because they won't call again for a closer gig.
7. Good luck!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tanya Johnson
Date: 2012-08-28 20:59
I loved all the helpful suggestions! I'm going to make sure I keep working on trying to get my name out there and am looking forward to using all of your recommendations.
Thank you!!
Tanya Johnson
www.reedpros.com
www.facebook.com/reedpros
twitter @reedpros
http://www.reedpros.com - purchase handmade oboe reeds
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Oboe Craig
Date: 2012-09-02 01:39
Post some youtube of your playing, then use the links from that to promote yourself. Send them to every local orchestra's staff manager and if possible to the first oboe player.
Send the same links to all local church music leaders.
It will start the ball rolling. I am doing that now and it is leading to gigs after an early life in music and a later life post IT career.
One step at a time. One step every day...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-09-02 02:42
I find that the Youtube videos are really useful when someone has need for you. But it is most important to find the need first. Now don't get me wrong, making Youtube clips is a great resource, and also a good learning tool when trying to get to that next level, but of course, to get a job there must be a need for your services. I personally have made what I consider a pretty impressive Youtube resume, but I still have not gotten a single job without a recommendation from someone in the biz, or finding a post on the local musical theater website posting a need for a Reed player. If you are trying to make money in the biz, in my experience, cold calling never works. (I could be wrong, that is my experience) You can always work for no pay, but I'm going to assume we're not talking about that.
A funny thing happened to me though, which led to me getting a musical gig. I have been cold e-mailing musical directors (and as I said this really never works, is relatively unprofessional, and I wouldn't recommend it) But I did, and a few MDs got back saying, I'll get back to you, yadda yadda, undertone of they've already got guys and don't really need me. Anyhow, I got a musical revue (A Grand Night for Singing) from an ex professor of mine, and it was a relatively prestigious production in the area. I had some free comps, so I offered them to some fellow Reed players and some Music Directors I wanted to work with/for. I figured, since I'd be doing them a favor by giving them free tickets to a show, maybe that would put me higher on their list. One Music Director accepted, I got him good seats to the show, and now I'll be doing Hairspray with him from the end of September till mid November. I got him the tickets 2 months ago.
I post that long story cause maybe there's a lesson in that. I think in the normal business world, people who want to work with each other take them to baseball games, or go golfing, or go on some trip or something. I guess this develops repoire with a client/coworker/employer and might be useful in our business as well. I will also note that 5 people did not accept my invitation to see a free show, but also these people probably won't hire me because they are too busy, have enough people, and are already setup.
I hope that will be useful to some of you. You can check out my Youtube resume here (there's new stuff since you last saw, but mostly new sax and flute):
http://www.youtube.com/user/DrewSorensenMusic
Sincerely,
Drew S.
"All reeds, all the time."
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
