ecarroll

TMers,

I'm stuck in an airport -- the perfect time to write.

As I've stated on a few threads, I'm a big advocate of avocational music making. I've met many fine amateur musicians across our globe that pour more energy and passion into their craft than many of their professional counterparts.

That said, some of you have chosen careers in music and many of you are training for the same. My question is for this group: can you describe for us your "dream career"? Where would you like to be playing or teaching 10 years from now? Be specific and, for once, don't hold back. We're all humble musicians (most of us anyway) but this is a chance to let it fly.

Watching here,
EC

x3matt

What a great topic, I would love to give this a shot. My dream job is pretty similar to the one I have now. I am the trumpet professor at a small liberal arts school in Virginia. I love the autonomy that my position has. I get to perform all over the area in a wide variety of situations and styles. My wife and I just bought our first house and we have our first child, a boy, due any day now. She is happy with her job and so am I. That said in 10 years I would like to be a a larger institution with a larger trumpet studio. In my currenty job I teach theory and music history as well as the brass responsibilities. I was hired to create the brass program which is a great opportunity/responsibility. I have wonderful students that make making music a real treat. All throughout all of my college work I dreamed of a job like mine and I can't believe that I have it. I feel very lucky and blessed to have my position. Now back to practicing!!! Have a safe flight. Matt Frederick

Whataguy!

I would like to get my writing chops together to write Hollywood sountracks instead of the commericals I usually write for now. If we're going to dream, dream big.

Dan Millheim

I have been blessed with a "dream Job" for 21 years. I am 45 and started my music carrer as an orchestral "want a-be" in NYC. I studied with Phil Smith and as a teenager was working very hard toward doing the whole Juliard thing and then play in a major orchestra. One night at Lincoln Center, up in the cheap seats where student sit, I was "called" by the Lord to use my musical gifts in full time ministry. I know this sounds mystical given the fact that we are in a post modern culture but that is what happened and some matters of the heart cannot be fully explained in writing.

I am a committed Christian who believes that God is still alive and well and fully in control of one's life... if fully surrendered. I left the NY scene not sure what God was doing in my life and with my dreams. But it was no mystery to Him! I enrolled in a small college as a music major. That same year, as I grieved the loss of such a great teacher and the dream of professionally playing, the Lord brought a student to the graduate school where I was an underclassman. His name was James May and he had been the 1st chair of the Presidents Marine Band for many years. Jim was also a Christian and had been "called" to ministry. Turns out that not only was he able to help walk me through my vocational "shift" but he was also a world class teacher!

I got a degree in music education with a minor in Bible and then another degree in Sacred Music with a minor in Bible. My young wife and I then moved to Texas to go to Seminay where I enrolled as a music student with a Sacred Music focus. At 23 I took a job at a church of 3000 people. I was way over my head but God gave me wisdom to flurish.

Over the past 21 years I have served in three very large churches. Presently I am at a church with a 3500 seat aud. and a dream team of musicians. The reason that I am so excited about what I do is that not only do I get to make music everyday but (for me) I get to "pastor" a music staff and approx. 350 creative people that serve our church family. "Connecting people with God and one another" is the most awesome vocation I could ever desire. Musicians are people too and have real struggels in their personal life. I love to not only make music but encourage these people to grow in Christ and grow as people!

Through the years I have traveled all over the world with my music. I do not play orchestral music but in addition to the contemporary worship music we use we have many very gifted jazz musician at our church and the churchs I have served. I love jazz and get to play often. The ability to help people beyond the music, to be able to play great music AND get a very,very nice consistent pay check is "a dream job of dream jobs" for me!

Finish Well,

dizforprez

My dream would be to go back to school for a performance DMA in a few years then start teaching band or trumpet at a college or university. Playing with or subbing some pro groups on the side would be something I would love as well. It would be a great way for me to put my two passions( obsessions) together.

bandman

In a perfect world I would have been able to play more, but I would not give up my career as a band director for anything, and now that it is nearing an end I can say I would have wanted it to be at the same schools with the same kids.

Where do I see myself in 10-years? Well I’ll let you all in on a little fantasy of mine! I’ve always wanted to be the monorail pilot at Disneyworld! So in 10-years my daughter will be getting out of college, and if she moves away to another city to find work, I just might apply for that monorail pilot job!

Bear

My dream job?

Oh man, to be playing with groups like ToP, BST, Chicago, studio work, et al... and getting PAID for it!

another dream is to get a dual Master's in Perf/Ed and then a Docs in one or the other...

B15M

My dream is way past ever coming true.

I want to go to Julliard and learn how to play better and then go back to school and learn more.

After that I want to play principal trumpet in a symphony and teach trumpet to others that want to do the same thing.

ecarroll

Wonderful responses so far. Thank you.

Okay, let's dissect a few (in reverse order)

B15M, yours is a wonderful dream job and you've started to define a pathway. What orchestra would you like to play in? (it's your dream, afterall). What methods are you following in trying to achieve your dream? (summer orchestral academies, lessons, listening, etc.) By the way, the path to your dream career doesn't have to run through Juilliard. . .there are other fine schools to consider as well.

EC (BM, MM, Juilliard)

Bear, is it necessary to have advanced degrees to play in ToP, BST, Chicago, or do studio work? This sounds like a wonderful dream. What, specifically, are you doing this week to realize your dream?

Bandman, it's wonderful that you're achieved the first part of your dream. I wouldn't change a thing in my career either and thank my lucky stars for the opportunities that I've had. As for piloting the monorail, I know a guy who knows a guy. . .

(and I bet you know who Ron Guidry is)

Dizfor, what school would you choose for your DMA? If this is part of the equation, have you developed any contacts there? I feel strongly that college teachers should have had playing careers in order to pass performance standards along to their students. Where are you playing? Are you doing anything specifically to get ready for a DMA audition at (see above)?

Dan, please don't change a thing. You're living your dream career. Bravo.

Whataguy!, terrific dream. What are you doing to expand the range of your writing? Are you making any contacts? Do you have a webpage? have you been keeping an up to date portfolio of your work?

x3Matt, it sounds like you've found yours too and I wouldn't be in too much of a rush to move to a major University. The program that you're leading is one that you created yourself and you must take tremendous satisfaction in knowing that every student that passes through it has your fingerprint. You and I think very much alike. I'll buy the first round one day.

TMers,

The point that I'm obviously driving home here is that we all have our musical dreams. Are you following some sort of plan to achieve yours?

I'll keep watching and thanks for indulging this thread,
EC

Jarrett

Any job that pays well enough to live comfortably and allows me to spend lots of time with my family is my dream job in 10 years.
Or, I could just win the lottery.