more for the seasoned veteran

    
more for the seasoned veteran    20:01 on Wednesday, February 18, 2009          

Skalomka
(21 points)
Posted by Skalomka

Do you guys have any tips for getting your name out there as a performer? And how do you guys find jobs? I only hear about people filling positions, not auditions or anything. Im a sophmore into my undergrad at the Crane School, I'm just looking toward the future.


Re: more for the seasoned veteran    05:06 on Thursday, February 19, 2009          

Steve
(457 points)
Posted by Steve

Whatever gigs you do get, show up on time, be courteous, and play the snot out of the music... EVERY TIME. Be a great SIGHT READER!!!!
People will notice. You never know who is listening.
Perform as much as possible while you're in school. Try to find performing venues outside the school if possible.
If your teacher thinks highly of you, he or she may throw you a bone every now and then...kick butt so they won't hesitate to do it again.
Let's face it.. the degree doesn't really mean that much. You have to develop your reputation by playing great. The music scene is a small world. Once you start gigging, keep playing well and it really will build.
However...
go to www.thepetersonproject.com
click on movies. Watch the one called "Last Call"... some sad truth to the humor


Re: more for the seasoned veteran    11:01 on Thursday, February 19, 2009          

Erik
(218 points)
Posted by Erik

Just to add to Steve's perfect response:

Play as much as you possibly can, with as many different people as you can. Put together some small ensembles, brass choirs, quintets, that sort of thing, and advertise the hell out of even small lunch time school gigs. You never know who might be listening, who might not be listening but still impressed by it all, and what those other folks you're playing with will be doing in the near future.

Don't turn down gigs, even if they don't pay. The people that called you are trying to move up in the world too. Do them well, and they'll get ya back. Also, when you start turning down gigs, you get replaced, and eventually (very soon, really) they get the calls and you don't.

Like Steve said, private instructors get their top students gigs. I know I do. And I did in college. Work the hell out of those gigs and get your name out.

And most importantly, especially at the gigs you get from your teachers and seasoned pros but everywhere else as well, don't leave home without your business cards! The expected rate of actually hearing from someone you gave a card about a gig versus the number you gave out is rarely higher than 1 in 10. Usually less. But if over the course of a year you hand out 200 cards... Do the math!

And most importantly (again?!?) whatever gig you get, from the brass quintet you put together playing at lunch in the quad, to the amateur symphony up the road, to the regional symphony you're subbing with, play the living hell out of the music. Play it perfectly. Take it seriously. Get recordings. Get the style perfect. And get it all right the FIRST TIME. That's the only way you get a call back.


Re: more for the seasoned veteran    20:18 on Friday, February 20, 2009          

musicman
(206 points)
Posted by musicman

I have to put my 2 cents in..
I am not known in the sakes of nationally...but in my area I am. I've played for Doug Yeo (once already, I get to see him 2 more times in the next couple of months for brassband and a trombone day) and I've also played for a HUGE master class for Morehead State University's trombone day last year with Joseph Alessi. Ever since I played in that, made Kentucky's All-State for 3 years straight (hopefully 4 next year), started to talk to more and more teachers and visit their school, and through various trombone camps (like one with Peter Ellefson), I'm beginning to get more known in the state and in colleges. I have never passed up a opportunity to play in any group, and I think the most I've been paid is $125 to play at a church on easter. Just never pass up any chance you get, I'm hoping my plan is going to work out eventually for me to land a nice job somewhere.


   




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