| Well, I'm not sure the term "good old boys network" applies to getting Broadway gigs. The contractors that I work for have databases full of hundreds of trumpet players to choose from. Often times, a conductor will request a certain player, which then bumps everyone else down a notch on the list. I can't even count the number of times I was passed up because either the conductor wanted someone different, or because another show closed and those out-of-work players went to the top of the list. It's just the way it goes.
I see new faces on every instrument each year. If anything, the older players are rapidly being replaced by younger folks.
If shows ever go to the practice of having auditions for chairs, I'll be more than happy to try out. It probably won't result in better orchestras, and you'll hear a whole lot more complaining coming from the pit. |