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Ok... I am lookin for some advice, so I thought this might be a place for info.

Here's the deal-

I am currently a first years masters student at the Chicago College of the Performing Arts working on a performance degree with a half ride. Recently I won a position with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra that's about 4 hours away. I just started school this week and I find myself not too thrilled about only being able to take a course on 19th century string chamber literature. It's not that I don't believe that this is very valuable information to have as a musician, but I feel a sence of urgency, especially now, to do as much as I can to get to a gig where I don't have to supplement it with work outside of music (ie selling cars). Basically for the amount of money I'm paying it just seems it could be put to better use later with different classes.

The issue is that I'm finding myself considering a leave of absence from the degree to start trying to make money with the tuba. I'm trying to decide who urgent it is to get the degree now, at all or just later. Being that I already play with a few outside ensembles and quintets (that pay)is it really worth paying to play in a few more student ensembles? Can a masters degree really do that much for me now? There will be some conflict with concerts for the degree and dubuque rehearsals and concerts and both groups want, no, demand my time. It makes it kinda rough, that and I can support myself with my part time job and the tuba playing, but I'm still figuring out health insurance, dubuque is non union, per service.

Any advice would be helpful being that I have to decide by friday in order to get a full reinbursement.

Thanks!
Jim Langenberg

Doc has it pretty much right, I'd say. Tell us more--what do you want for your career--long term?

Well, I see some of you wonder what I want my career to be. I do want to play, teaching was something I was lookin at as a back up.

Thank you so much for the advice thus far, it seems to be reaffirming my tenative decision.
Jim Langenberg

IgnacioTuba wrote:I gotta first say, MIAH, man I love your little video clip!! Who the hell is that guy (is that you?) slamming? I hope it's not a poor tuba player that just messed up the concert or something.

Go rent the movie office space.

You'll find the answers there that you seek.

Has..uh..anyone..uh..seen my little red..uh..stuh-puh-ler?

Oh, don't forget about those TPS reports.

...and I used to be by the window and I could see the squirrels, and they were merry... but then they switched from the swingline to the boston...

Jim,
Congrats on the gig!
If I were in your shoes this is what I'd be asking myself:
1. If I go, what else is there for me? Will I be able to support myself? Will I have to wait tables?
2. If I go, will I have enough $ to pay for lessons too?
3. If I stay, can I make the commute to a gig AND continue to study? (while someelse is paying for my lessons)
4. If I don't like it here, is there another university that I can go to AND still do the gig?
5. How do I stack up against all the other guys that are auditioning in the US?
6. How have I been doing in the past auditions?
7. Yes, I need experience but can't I get experience on the job AND continue my studies?
8. ...............well
I could go on... I sounds to me as if you are questioning the program that you are in. If it is not to your liking or you feel that your not going to get as good of training,(training that everyone else is that you will be auditioning against), then find another program...
As you well know, I will tell you as I see it. I won't sugar coat it and I won't blow smoke up your back side... I would say stay in school and do the gig.. MAKE IT WORK! We all need to keep learning and studying, myself included. I don't care where you study just keep doing it...
Sincerely,
Alan Baer

Thanks Al! You're pretty much right on about what I'm thinking. Fortunately, things are changing in the situation. I will be taking a special audition this coming week for the change to the orchestral studies program and after talking to some "higher ups" my class schedule is being changed to more reasonable classes. Chances are I'm going to stay.

Thanks for the help guys

Jim