| It seems to me that in many ways a "network" of accepted performers within any genre of music can be a good thing and a bad thing, but with regard to this particular thread..I think it is a very very good thing.
If you want to get into the broadway scene bad enough, you'll find a way. In addition, I think some weeding out of difficult to work with types is extremely important. I spent many years on the road with the U.S. Navy Band across multiple continents, and living day in and day out with people can put a strain on a performers ability to do a given show to thier best at times. Broadway musicians are doing a show anywhere from 5-9 times a week.... the same show...over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over... get the point?
If you have a real difficult person to deal with it can really screw up the show, because the performers may be on show #2345265465365656356, and they can be easily distracted my social things going on around them regardless of how professional they are....
Having a network in place ensures that people with long term experience in the business the opportunity to weed out difficult musicians so that harmony among the performers on any given show can be at it's best.... Music is a lot like other lines of work in that, if you can't get along and play nice with others it will eventually catch up to you.....
Everytime I hear someone complaining about some things being non-audition I get a little peeved.... What makes you different than anyone else? We all have to learn to network and find a place within a difficult field why should you be any different?
This way has worked for a LONG time, and I think it will work well in the future. Just take the time to network with other musicians, and you may find out that the system provides many more benefits to all involved than you realize....AND that it developed into a system for a reason....
Just my 2 cents
Peace
Matt |