TubeNet

Now that Detroit has their new tuba player, the great wave of orchestra auditions that ran from the late 90's until now is barely a trickle. Who really knows when the next orchestra audition will be?

Chances are, all of us will need to eat a few meals before the next audition, so how do you plan to do that? If you plan to do multiple things on this list, pick the one that you will put the most work towards.

Just curious as to what everybody out there is thinking.

I am thinking that, in this economy, becoming a drug dealer is not such a bad idea. Sure, the cons are pretty high(law, other drug dealers, etc.) but think of the possibilities! You set your own hours, you do NOT have to pay taxes, your "clients" will undoubtedly find a way to get that money, and you can set the rate! Who needs to major in performance or ANYTHING when you can have such a SWEET GIG?!

TexTuba wrote:I am thinking that, in this economy, becoming a drug dealer is not such a bad idea. Sure, the cons are pretty high(law, other drug dealers, etc.) but think of the possibilities! You set your own hours, you do NOT have to pay taxes, your "clients" will undoubtedly find a way to get that money, and you can set the rate! Who needs to major in performance or ANYTHING when you can have such a SWEET GIG?!

Yes, but which illegal substance will offer the highest profit margins? Now that medical marijuana is on the rise, the pot market could be on the way down. Heroin........it's just a little too nasty. Cocaine and crack are too 1980's. Meth.....eww, I like having teeth.

The wave of the future, selling prescription drugs to college kids! Just take this pill and you're sure to get an A, junior!!

Hone your piano skills and provide accompanying services for the next generation of saps who think they "have a shot"?

Todd S. Malicoate wrote:Hone your piano skills and provide accompanying services for the next generation of saps who think they "have a shot"?

Hater!! Didn't you ever have a dream Mr. Todd S. Malicoate??

Also, define the term sap. Is a person a sap until they can convince a group of about a dozen strangers across the country that they deserve a place in their ensemble? Or is a person a sap for just showing up to the audition? Most people don't make it on "the big stage" but if they become pretty good at one of the above items in the poll are they still a sap? Or is the term sap primarily directed at arrogant college kids who don't know how tough the competition is? Just saying, because if sap applies to everybody here who isn't in a full-time symphony, then there are a lot of saps on TubeNet. Forget it, just answered my own question.

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I plan to retire in 2 years, 11 months and 19 days. But who's counting?

I know of at least 2 major symphony orchestras with auditions coming up in th next 2-3 years.

I am told that black market computer chips have a higher profit margin than drugs, with only half the jail time.

skeath wrote:I am told that black market computer chips have a higher profit margin than drugs, with only half the jail time.

What about black market BlokePieces™ ?

skeath wrote:I am told that black market computer chips have a higher profit margin than drugs, with only half the jail time.

... and they leave your breath minty-fresh, too!

Getzeng50s wrote:I know of at least 2 major symphony orchestras with auditions coming up in th next 2-3 years.

Exactly my point! In the early 2000's, we could roll the dice at as many as five auditions in a year. Nowadays, we have to get excited about the prospect of 2 (maybe?) orchestra jobs in a possible three year period. Sad time to be a tuba player.

tuben wrote:Look here.... While what has happened/is happening in Cincinnati may be public knowledge, I find the inclusion of Atlanta in the poll list inappropriate. Mike is NOT old, and with a new fleet of tubas, including a Yama-york, he's sounding as good as ever.

If you're waiting for Atlanta to 'open-up', I hope you have lots of canned corn, it might be a LONG wait.

RC

Fixed it.

That's part of what I'm trying to say too. Cincy, whatever, I don't know too much about it. Let's just say for a second that if Atlanta is about 10-15 years away, and somewhere around 85% of the tuba players in big orchestras are younger than Sir Moore, the job market is looking REALLY bad. It's starting to dawn to myself and others out there that this orchestra thing just ain't gunna happen. At least not in the United States. That doesn't mean you stop practicing Meistersinger, but what are you going to do before the next audition? I personally don't have ANY canned corn, so I gotta do something.

Sounds like the "Charles Ives plan" (i.e. "do something else for a living") is going to be the best option for the foreseeable future.

Watchman wrote:

Getzeng50s wrote:I know of at least 2 major symphony orchestras with auditions coming up in th next 2-3 years.

Exactly my point! In the early 2000's, we could roll the dice at as many as five auditions in a year. Nowadays, we have to get excited about the prospect of 2 (maybe?) orchestra jobs in a possible three year period. Sad time to be a tuba player.

There is always the military: The army alone has about 50-60 bands out in the field--they ALWAYS need tuba players. Add in the Navy, Marines, Air Force and you can pick where you want to go and benefits are damn good, especially when Uncle Sam plays for grad school, provides you a pro level axe, etc.

JJ

In my situation, at 68, located only 125 miles (over ocean) from the only major symphony around of which parts or all of it occasionally visit here and provide clinics, concerts and even its new tuba player came to my house on one such visit for about two hours of ecstatic tuba dueting, I must admit to thinking less and less any more about being only fully employed. I still regularly rehearse and perform with the Kauai Community College Orchestra, Wind Symphony and sometimes Jazz Band and my initiated HOMESTEAD BRASS ensemble. I am an Independent Video Producer here and have over the years shot every thing from weddings to all the KCC and brass concerts which I then edit and have shown on local Kauai TV, which when I'm also playing simultaneously has been kind of like patting my head while rolling on my stomach, or something like that. In my spare time I try to get out and hit that little white ball into holes. That's to mostly help relieve tension.
Life is what you make it to be and it's too short!

I would be asking, "What exactly was my plan B?" "Did I ever have a plan B?"

"What am I good at doing?" MBA-talk would be, "What is my core competency?"

I know it is not a joking matter, but do you remember:
Q. What do you call a musician without a girl/boy friend?
A. Homeless.

If someone has no access to job/career counseling and must resort to self-help, "What Color is Your Parachute?" is a classic, highly recommended, A+++++.

I graduated in 1979, one of the worst job markets until recently, with a master's in engineering, had 4 job offers and worked in IS for 30 years. This was not because I was so smart, but because I chose a major in college for which I knew that there were plenty of job prospects even in a down economy. I graduate this week with a Ph.D. in business and will be teaching at a university in Ohio in the Fall. I play tuba in 2 bands and 2 quintets and in Ohio have one band lined up and a line on a faculty quintet.

I really wish those of you majoring in tuba performance good fortune in making a living in music, but the vast majority in that situation will certainly not be doing so by playing with a major symphony orchestra. The best way to have a chance at doing so is to be the best musician you can be, which includes being able to play bass and piano, and being willing and able to do what is needed.

I value the role that music plays in my life and can't imagine living without playing in some capacity, but a very small minority of those who attempt to make a living at it will be able to do so. Of course you have to believe that you are one of that minority or you shouldn't even try, but be realistic. If a year or more of auditions, and this includes for every possible kind of musical venue, doesn't result in a living wage, look for another way to make a living other than purely performance.

tuben wrote:Look here.... While what has happened/is happening in Cincinnati may be public knowledge, I find the inclusion of Atlanta in the poll list inappropriate. Mike is NOT old, and with a new fleet of tubas, including a Yama-york, he's sounding as good as ever.

If you're waiting for Atlanta to 'open-up', I hope you have lots of canned corn, it might be a LONG wait.

RC

I'm not sure that what "is" happening in Cincinnati is public knowledge, and would probably be best if not speculated over the internet. Sometimes, (most times) rumors spread far and wide and get very distorted from person to person. And in any case, is it really good form to "talk" and gossip about one of our brethren?

Agreed with the Atlanta remarks... probably not best to plan someone's demise or retirement on a public forum on the internet. Especially when they are likely to read this forums daily, and post on occasion.

TUBAD83 wrote:"There is always the military: The army alone has about 50-60 bands out in the field--they ALWAYS need tuba players. Add in the Navy, Marines, Air Force and you can pick where you want to go and benefits are damn good, especially when Uncle Sam plays for grad school, provides you a pro level axe, etc.

JJ"

This is certainly a viable option for players looking to gain employment and pay off some loans. The Marines vs. Army vs. Navy vs. Air Force discussion has been had many times on this forum. I will however plug the fact that there are 2 openings in "Air Force field bands right now. This hasn't happened in over 5 years, and is an excellent opportunity for a young player to have gainful employment.

Regarding the benefits... that's a completely different story. Sometimes things look better from the other side...



Interesting discussion.. I'm surprised this hasn't sparked a hornet's nest response yet. (Though, I'm relatively sure someone will get their panties in a bunch about something I've typed, as seems to be the case practically anytime I post something )