Comments on: Advice for aspiring music performance majors http://doublebassblog.org/2006/11/advice-for-aspiring-music-performance-majors.html double bass news, stories, downloads, podcasts, and more! Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:22:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Frank http://doublebassblog.org/2006/11/advice-for-aspiring-music-performance-majors.html/comment-page-1#comment-15341 Frank Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:17:10 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=599#comment-15341 Just to throw it out there Indiana accounted for 33% (17 spots) of the positions won. Rice and Curtis tied for second place with 13% (7 spots) each. Also Eugene Levinson had two students win seats at the New York Philharmonic. How do you get lessons with him? Just to throw it out there Indiana accounted for 33% (17 spots) of the positions won. Rice and Curtis tied for second place with 13% (7 spots) each. Also Eugene Levinson had two students win seats at the New York Philharmonic. How do you get lessons with him?

]]> By: Thinking About A Bachelor’s Degree In Music Performance – advice from MusTech.net : Jason Heath’s Double Bass Blog http://doublebassblog.org/2006/11/advice-for-aspiring-music-performance-majors.html/comment-page-1#comment-14344 Thinking About A Bachelor’s Degree In Music Performance – advice from MusTech.net : Jason Heath’s Double Bass Blog Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:01:36 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=599#comment-14344 [...] is a topic that I’ve blogged about many times in the past, and it’s great to get the perspective of a faculty member in a [...] [...] is a topic that I’ve blogged about many times in the past, and it’s great to get the perspective of a faculty member in a [...]

]]> By: Thinking About A Bachelor’s Degree In Music Performance – advice from MusTech.net : Arts Addict http://doublebassblog.org/2006/11/advice-for-aspiring-music-performance-majors.html/comment-page-1#comment-14198 Thinking About A Bachelor’s Degree In Music Performance – advice from MusTech.net : Arts Addict Sun, 20 Sep 2009 11:01:24 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=599#comment-14198 [...] is a topic that I’ve blogged about many times in the past, and it’s great to get the perspective of a faculty member in a [...] [...] is a topic that I’ve blogged about many times in the past, and it’s great to get the perspective of a faculty member in a [...]

]]> By: Matt http://doublebassblog.org/2006/11/advice-for-aspiring-music-performance-majors.html/comment-page-1#comment-6344 Matt Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:50:20 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=599#comment-6344 Jason, why do you say to study at Rice with Pitts or Bransby at IU? Are you sure that the students had these teachers or were some of them from Hurst and Ellison? Jason, why do you say to study at Rice with Pitts or Bransby at IU? Are you sure that the students had these teachers or were some of them from Hurst and Ellison?

]]> By: Corbin Johnston http://doublebassblog.org/2006/11/advice-for-aspiring-music-performance-majors.html/comment-page-1#comment-4805 Corbin Johnston Fri, 09 May 2008 15:46:26 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=599#comment-4805 The 1998 Utah Symphony Asst. Principal audition was won by Corbin Johnston, a student of Lawrence Wolfe and Edwin Barker (not the Utah Symphony principal). In addition a section bass position was won by Tom Zera (Juilliard). The 1998 Utah Symphony Asst. Principal audition was won by Corbin Johnston, a student of Lawrence Wolfe and Edwin Barker (not the Utah Symphony principal). In addition a section bass position was won by Tom Zera (Juilliard).

]]> By: Fran http://doublebassblog.org/2006/11/advice-for-aspiring-music-performance-majors.html/comment-page-1#comment-4636 Fran Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:17:48 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=599#comment-4636 Wow. I'm the mom of a 15 year old boy who wants to take double bass lessons. We thought it would be great to see him learn a new instrument (he already plays electric bass and guitar quite well) and thought joining a youth orchestra would be a good way to spend his time in a team setting. You've scared me from considering this. Perhaps we'll just stick to hockey. It sounds like nothing but frustration comes to a bassist who aquires any proficiency. It sounds like there are way too many bassists already and he would dealing with intense competition just to be part of an orchestra at all as an adult. Was it worth it for anybody out there? Should he just stick with rock and roll and keep jamming in the basement, when he's open to classical and jazz? Or is the cost for the instrument and lessons just going to lead to frustration down the road in an overcrowded area? Wow. I’m the mom of a 15 year old boy who wants to take double bass lessons. We thought it would be great to see him learn a new instrument (he already plays electric bass and guitar quite well) and thought joining a youth orchestra would be a good way to spend his time in a team setting.
You’ve scared me from considering this. Perhaps we’ll just stick to hockey. It sounds like nothing but frustration comes to a bassist who aquires any proficiency. It sounds like there are way too many bassists already and he would dealing with intense competition just to be part of an orchestra at all as an adult. Was it worth it for anybody out there? Should he just stick with rock and roll and keep jamming in the basement, when he’s open to classical and jazz?
Or is the cost for the instrument and lessons just going to lead to frustration down the road in an overcrowded area?

]]> By: David A. http://doublebassblog.org/2006/11/advice-for-aspiring-music-performance-majors.html/comment-page-1#comment-4110 David A. Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:59:00 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=599#comment-4110 I too followed the potential professional orchestral bass player path. I started out in NYC studying with Homer Mensch then transferred to IU to study with Sankey (dating myself) and then Bransby. But, after many years of seeing my classmates and others vie for the few positions available decided to branch out on a different career direction. That does not mean I don't play and perform any more. Just the opposite, with the variety of musical options available I am as busy as I want to be, playing all different types of music from classical to jazz. Just because I am not a "full-time" professional does not mean I approach my rehearsals with any less zeal or practice. The bottom line is one can enjoy the benefits of being a musician without the stress of trying to make it a career. I feel I am still playing at the top of my game, and actually enjoying it. I too followed the potential professional orchestral bass player path. I started out in NYC studying with Homer Mensch then transferred to IU to study with Sankey (dating myself) and then Bransby. But, after many years of seeing my classmates and others vie for the few positions available decided to branch out on a different career direction.

That does not mean I don’t play and perform any more. Just the opposite, with the variety of musical options available I am as busy as I want to be, playing all different types of music from classical to jazz. Just because I am not a “full-time” professional does not mean I approach my rehearsals with any less zeal or practice.

The bottom line is one can enjoy the benefits of being a musician without the stress of trying to make it a career. I feel I am still playing at the top of my game, and actually enjoying it.

]]> By: Cara S. http://doublebassblog.org/2006/11/advice-for-aspiring-music-performance-majors.html/comment-page-1#comment-3567 Cara S. Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:59:31 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=599#comment-3567 I also agree that this blog is helpful in some way to open one's eyes about the harsh realities of music performance and the competitiveness thereof. But I have to agree with Nathan, that as long as I am playing music and making some type of career out of it, I will be genuinely content with that. I am a senior in high school and I am preparing to go to college as a music performance major, with my instruments being french horn and piano. Just the anticipation of being able to play my instruments on a higher level gives me the good chills, because I know that if I do what I love, then everything else will pay off. I also agree that those top ten orchestras are way too overrated, and people want leaders. I really like the idea of a student-run and organized orchestra! The reason being that it would be different and new, and that's what people want to see. Just give me a few years to catch up, and you'll have yourself a french horn player in the orchestra! In all seriousness, from my knowledge of the music world, it is not for the weak or lazy, but if you really care about what you do, then you will succeed in your own time. I also agree that this blog is helpful in some way to open one’s eyes about the harsh realities of music performance and the competitiveness thereof. But I have to agree with Nathan, that as long as I am playing music and making some type of career out of it, I will be genuinely content with that. I am a senior in high school and I am preparing to go to college as a music performance major, with my instruments being french horn and piano. Just the anticipation of being able to play my instruments on a higher level gives me the good chills, because I know that if I do what I love, then everything else will pay off. I also agree that those top ten orchestras are way too overrated, and people want leaders. I really like the idea of a student-run and organized orchestra! The reason being that it would be different and new, and that’s what people want to see. Just give me a few years to catch up, and you’ll have yourself a french horn player in the orchestra! In all seriousness, from my knowledge of the music world, it is not for the weak or lazy, but if you really care about what you do, then you will succeed in your own time.

]]> By: Jason Heath’s Double Bass Blog » Great comment on ‘Aspiring Music Majors’ advice from 2006 http://doublebassblog.org/2006/11/advice-for-aspiring-music-performance-majors.html/comment-page-1#comment-3206 Jason Heath’s Double Bass Blog » Great comment on ‘Aspiring Music Majors’ advice from 2006 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:03:49 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=599#comment-3206 [...] this is why I love blogging!  This comment on my Advice for Aspiring Music Majors article comes in from Hartt School of Music student Nathan Clark.  Nathan studies with Robert [...] [...] this is why I love blogging!  This comment on my Advice for Aspiring Music Majors article comes in from Hartt School of Music student Nathan Clark.  Nathan studies with Robert [...]

]]> By: Nathan Clark http://doublebassblog.org/2006/11/advice-for-aspiring-music-performance-majors.html/comment-page-1#comment-3095 Nathan Clark Wed, 27 Feb 2008 01:54:28 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=599#comment-3095 I really appreciate that there is someone out there that is willing to try and explain the truth about the music world and open it for discussion. I am a student of Robert Black's at the Hartt School in my Junior year of my bachelor's degree. I love performing music but I know it is a very rough world. All I wish is to make some way of living by playing any music. Personally, I don't want to be in one of those top 10 orchestras. The stress, effort, and ego destruction doesn't seem worth it for me. I wasn't raised in Russia playing bass since I could walk. I don't know many people that go to big time concerts anyway. To get a good seat is at least $100. The friends that I know who love art, support good music not just because it is written by someone famous. I love the tradition of orchestral music and I try my best to play well in school. We sound terrible compared to one of the big time orchestras. In fact, I don't know the repertoire at all. Even listening to Beethoven symphonies is a new experience. I don't think I've ever seen a Beethoven Symphony performed by a professional orchestra. Many bassists studying classical music think their only way to get by is orchestras. I'd say it is the most obvious route to take. I am interested in any ensemble that wants a bass player and who wants to make great performances and who will help me get food water and shelter. There has to be some way to do what I love and survive. If anyone can give me that opportunity, I would take it. Are there lesser orchestras that can help a bachelor get by performing music with out brutal insane people working with him? I studied with Kurt Muroki for a couple summers and he said, "The majority of top orchestras are miserable." It seems I would be better off starting my own orchestra. Why don't student conductors and musicians just start things on their own. There are enough of us. It would seem that this would be more exciting and would renew an old art. Who cares about a huge fancy hall. Fancy acoustics might sound better but who are you playing to? From what I understand, a lot of old rich people that groan at the sound of anything that isn't Beeth, Brahms, Bartok, Schubert, Schumann, Liszt, etc. etc.. People need to take chances and make things happen. Go make your own music. Beethoven doesn't belong to big orchestras or old people. If you perform it well enough, people will be moved. There are people out there (LIKE ME) that want things to be stirred up a bit. Classical music isn't as rigid as the schools and orchestras want you to think. Mozart was a complete goof off and joker. So was Haydn. Granted they did a lot to please a court but whenever they could they would try to play jokes. They were rock stars, they took chances. My parents told me I had to go to college, so I play music in college and now the college says the only way I can get by is through some orchestra that I've never seen before? I'd rather miss a few meals while I'm in my twenties than be miserable when I'm fifty. Some people get lucky and have it all under their belt but I don't think I'm one of them. I really appreciate that there is someone out there that is willing to try and explain the truth about the music world and open it for discussion. I am a student of Robert Black’s at the Hartt School in my Junior year of my bachelor’s degree. I love performing music but I know it is a very rough world. All I wish is to make some way of living by playing any music. Personally, I don’t want to be in one of those top 10 orchestras. The stress, effort, and ego destruction doesn’t seem worth it for me. I wasn’t raised in Russia playing bass since I could walk. I don’t know many people that go to big time concerts anyway. To get a good seat is at least $100. The friends that I know who love art, support good music not just because it is written by someone famous. I love the tradition of orchestral music and I try my best to play well in school. We sound terrible compared to one of the big time orchestras. In fact, I don’t know the repertoire at all. Even listening to Beethoven symphonies is a new experience. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Beethoven Symphony performed by a professional orchestra. Many bassists studying classical music think their only way to get by is orchestras. I’d say it is the most obvious route to take. I am interested in any ensemble that wants a bass player and who wants to make great performances and who will help me get food water and shelter. There has to be some way to do what I love and survive. If anyone can give me that opportunity, I would take it. Are there lesser orchestras that can help a bachelor get by performing music with out brutal insane people working with him? I studied with Kurt Muroki for a couple summers and he said, “The majority of top orchestras are miserable.” It seems I would be better off starting my own orchestra. Why don’t student conductors and musicians just start things on their own. There are enough of us. It would seem that this would be more exciting and would renew an old art. Who cares about a huge fancy hall. Fancy acoustics might sound better but who are you playing to? From what I understand, a lot of old rich people that groan at the sound of anything that isn’t Beeth, Brahms, Bartok, Schubert, Schumann, Liszt, etc. etc.. People need to take chances and make things happen. Go make your own music. Beethoven doesn’t belong to big orchestras or old people. If you perform it well enough, people will be moved. There are people out there (LIKE ME) that want things to be stirred up a bit. Classical music isn’t as rigid as the schools and orchestras want you to think. Mozart was a complete goof off and joker. So was Haydn. Granted they did a lot to please a court but whenever they could they would try to play jokes. They were rock stars, they took chances. My parents told me I had to go to college, so I play music in college and now the college says the only way I can get by is through some orchestra that I’ve never seen before? I’d rather miss a few meals while I’m in my twenties than be miserable when I’m fifty. Some people get lucky and have it all under their belt but I don’t think I’m one of them.

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