You’ll never play in this orchestra again!

A colleague of mine passed along this entertaining (and true!) tale from a concert in a local per-service gig orchestra.  I know a lot of musicians who perform in this orchestra (which I’ll refrain from naming here), which makes it even funnier to me....

Panic on the Podium

When you think about it, isn’t it amazing that a group of musicians can ever play together in a symphonic setting? Honestly, having all those different instruments, from tuba to tympani, with all those methods of sound production, from blowing to plucking,...

Staring at a Sea of Surly Violas

Though it chagrins me to admit it, I’ve recommended friends and colleagues for musical activities that are simply impossible. Whether passing a wretched gig to an unsuspecting bassist hungry for work or giving out a colleague’s name to a bass student who...

…and everything faded to black

Even in a ‘classic’ art form like music, one that existed well before the advent of electricity, we performers now completely and utterly depend on the power grid for our performances.  While hospitals and other such foundational services may have...

Crossing Biscayne Bay on a pod and a prayer

Though I’ve never been a member of the New World Symphony (only subbing in the past), I have had dozens of friends and colleagues who’ve spent time in this exciting and educational South Florida orchestra. Serving as the training orchestra for the United...