Our Great Profession

The title of my blog is also the title of my new book of the same name.  A book about the profession of professional musicians and what is involved in reaching the goal of performing in a major symphony orchestra.  It is also about the Artistry, Passion, and Heartache, of this a profession.

(http://www.meredithmusic.com/the-great-american-symphony-orchestra)

Patrons of the Arts, who attend symphony concerts, applaud the music, support the arts with their time and money, yet have little understanding of how the performers on stage, the conductor, stage crew, librarians, management and staff function in this amazing business.

Little is known of the discipline, perserverance, and work ethic necessary to pursue such a  goal of an orchestral musician in a major orchestra.  The interaction between the conductor and musicians is, in itself, a wonder, since the the position of the music director (conductor) of an orchestra functions as a dictator.  They decide how fast, slow, loud, soft, or any other of the hundreds of musical directives that occur in a musical score.  How you ever wondered how well-educated, highly trained, professional musicians and solo artists, concede so much of their musical opinions to a conductor?  A quote from Walter Legge, Founder of the London Philharmonia, says it all: "There is no form of occupation which has a worse effect on a man's character than that of a conductor."

The audition procedure to join this organization is so involved that it can be utterly discouraging to the young musician. This is discussed in detail in the chapter titled: The Ultimate Interview. 

The position of Music Director in a major orchestra involves complete control over all artistic decisions in this organization.  While musicians readily perform at the conductor's discression, when it come to the reseating of orchestra personnel, serious issues can occur which may affect the moral fabric of the entire orchestra.

There is so much more!  In my next post, I will discuss in detail the working conditions of musicians in this amazing profession.