mazzrick

Over the last few years, brass players but maybe trumpet players especially are beginning to see many very young players winning orchestral auditions and filling job positions. Maybe now more than ever it seems like one has to get a full time job before the age of 25 or else they're a failure. So here's my question... is 21, 22, 23, 25 too soon in one's development to take on a commitment like this?

I'm 22 and recently got invited to a few auditions for orchestras here in Germany and was talking with some friends who are in their 30's and in great jobs. I mentioned to them that I was going to take these few auditions and they all said to me... "really, you want a job already??"

Granted, I'm not the same level of player as the kids winning these US auditions over hundreds of other accomplished adults, but I feel like right now if I had to be playing a full-time orchestra season, I wouldn't be able to continue working on many things in my playing, both fundamentally and musically. If I had to play three rehearsals and two concerts for a symphony every week I wouldn't have time to learn the certain pieces, play natural trumpet, or really lock down basic fundamentals.

So is it too soon? Can we find people who won their first job at 20, 21 and who have suffered for it later in their career because they didn't fully develop themselves as a player... or as a person? Lets face it too, the average age of top tier orchestras isn't even in the 30's. So is it healthy for a person to be locked into what their doing so soon? A young principal player on any instrument is both figuratively and almost literally "nailed to a chair" before they're 30th birthday. Is that a healthy way to go about it? I don't know. I sure am envious of those who get to wake up every morning when they're 22 and play with the best orchestras in the world. But would I actually want it yet... I don't know????

Please Discuss.

Matt

commakozzi

Well, I'm a 32 year old "wish I hadn't stopped playing in my 20s" trumpet player who's now very serious about wanting to play professionally. When I see young guys/gals (or even hear about them) getting positions like that I'm very envious, but I'm very happy for them too. I understand your point though, because there's things in music that I want to develop along with my (hopeful) orchestra chops, and I'm struggling to get my practice day up to 4 hours minimum. If I had a gig like that I can imagine it being hard to work on much else besides maintenance. My chops would be blown if I wanted to "squeeze in" anything else!!! So, I guess I'm in the same position you're in, but at 32 years of age.

Siegtrmpt

Pursuing an orchestral career is a pretty demanding proposition. There comes a point when you have to accept the realities of how you stack up against the competition. Lots of good players move on to other things if they don't get a good paying job by a certain age (say 30?) It's matter of priorities. When you get a little older and have a family, home and real responsibility, practicing an instrument to the extent that it takes to win a professional audition is a tough proposition. Even if you can keep your chops up to the level that is required the desire to uproot your family to take a low dollar, stepping stone gig decreases dramatically. Still, where there's a will there is a way and it can be done. It's just the desire to do what it takes to be competetive in the audition arena and willingness to make sacrifices to stay in the game drops off after a period of time. Anyway, that's my take on it.

ecarroll

Matt,

As I'm sure that you're discovering, the "mind-set" regarding fulltime employment in large ensembles is vastly different in Europe than it is in North America. I feel fairly safe in saying that a Hersethian career of 50+ years in a band is absolutely out of the question there, due to the individual aspirations of the general population of musicians -- which I believe that you're facing yourself -- compounded by compulsary retirement (when I has in Rotterdam principal players had to step down at 60 and everyone is out at 65, and I'd imagine the same is true today). The nice part of this is that jobs turn over frequently, creating opportunities to audition for those wanting to settle down.

Tell us about the opportunities you've had, and have witnessed, to earn reasonable money without entering into fulltime employment in an orchestra? This might be revealing. . .

Best,
EC

Bear

I am in that age range you are describing 26, and would love to be in a position where I would be a full time player. Even with the demanding schedule and other commitments (family, etc) I think there would still be time for you to develop and work on what you will. Congrats, good luck, and I am envious for you! lol. It is a big decision but if you have to play, well, you have to play. Take care.