| Here's another one. I was playing 4th trumpet in the local symphony orchestra. I had been 3rd for a few years, but was "re-auditioned" (that's a whole other story) to 4th slot when a new union guy moved to town. The orchestra was about 80/20, non-union/union makeup. Anyway, there were some local vs. out-of-town union member problems brewing, which resulted in a strike. This not only caused Doc to cancel as the guest artist for the next concert (what a bummer!), but also bumped me temporarily back to 3rd part, as I was not "union".
So we begin rehearsals for the "revised" next concert, and I asked "What happens if the strike is settled before the concert?" I was told in no uncertain terms that I was the 3rd for the next gig, no matter what. Guess what? The strike settled about a week before the concert and guess who's on 3rd (no, this isn't that old Abbot & Costello bit)? Not me! Guess who's not even playing the concert anymore? Me, 'cause thare aren't any 4th parts in any of the pieces. Yes, I was paid for the rehearsals, but it still stunk. It was my last check from the orchestra, as I resigned shortly after. |