I was playing a Messiah performance this weekend that started to get derailed in some alarming and funny ways. This orchestra and chorus were quite good, but the group had for some reason decided to use a harpsichordist who had never before played the harpsichord. He...
I heard this great audition story a few years ago firsthand from the people who were involved. This was one of the rare times where I actually knew both the committee members and the audition candidate in this story. Auditioning for the Grant Park Symphony The Grant...
During the summers of 2001 and 2002 I played double bass for the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, South Carolina. Originally this organization was part of the Festival of Two Worlds that Gian Carlo Menotti started in conjunction with Spoleto, Italy, and the same...
Every summer I think Chicago’s great. It’s sunny, warm, the beaches are filled with people, the city is bustling with activity, and the lake is beautiful and inviting. I am convinced that it’s the greatest city in the world. Then winter hits (in...
I have another audition story I’d like to share. If you like this story, you may want to check out my stories about what to never bring into an audition, my disastrous audition for the San Jose Symphony, or any of my other gig tales.A certain bassist (who shall...
