- There are some very obvious advantages
to an orchestral career.
First of all, you have security.
Security in the sense that as opposed
to a freelancer's feast or famine mentality,
you can pretty much count on a regular paycheck.
Also, you have a regular schedule.
This means that you can have a life outside of the orchestra
because of the fact
that you can count on having certain days off.
Another obvious advantage is that you are playing
an extraordinary repertoire in an extraordinary institution.
So often when I'm sitting at a concert
of the Shepherd School Symphony hearing our students,
I think what it a miracle the orchestra is.
It's not just all the people hours involved
in learning parts and rehearsing,
but it's all the hours involved on the part of composers,
instrument makers, conductors.
It's truly unbelievable
what goes into every orchestral performance.
Another obvious advantage
is that you have a community of colleagues,
with whom you can play chamber music,
with whom you can do things outside of the field of music.
Perhaps you find a common interest with a colleague
who enjoys surfing or flying or cats, whatever.
It's a wonderful family to become a member of
when you're in an orchestra.
The disadvantages are numerous as well,
and it's important to realize this
if you are considering an orchestral career.
First of all, you do not have control
over what you are going to play.
That kind of decision is made by the artistic director
of any orchestra, in consultation with an artistic advisor.
You, furthermore, do not have an opportunity
to make artistic decisions about the music
that you're playing.
You are paid to play as you are told to play.
And that is something that a lot of people forget
when they consider an orchestral career.
Also, playing in an orchestra is a very regimented life.
If you have trouble with keeping a schedule,
orchestral playing may not be
the best career choice for you.
You can't be late.
There's a downbeat at the beginning of every rehearsal
and every concert.
So it's important to assess whether you have the personality
to live in that kind of a very regimented system.
Another disadvantage is a pervasive negativity
that sometimes can develop in orchestras.
Where does this come from?
I think it's frustration on the part of the musicians.
Frustration because many things are out of their control,
particularly, artistic decisions as I just mentioned.
You can rise above it, and you must rise above it.
If you love playing in an orchestra,
you can succeed in doing so.