Do you have a local Florence Jenkins?

[MaryAnn]

We have at least one I'm very familiar with. A brass player, good ensemble skills and rhythm, horrid intonation, horrid tone, who has a lot of money and established a scholarship at the local U and simply does not recognize that she is actually being made fun of in the praise that is heaped upon her. I at the same time am resentful for the opportunities she has bought, and feel sorry for her because if she ever realizes what is up, she is not someone who can deal with it emotionally.

Actually, I came up with a second. A string player, truly awful, who gives a lot of money to local community orchestras and ends up sitting in the principal chair for his instrument.

So I guess if I want to play 1st oboe in whatever group, all I need to do is give them $5000. Although I am not truly awful, just basically awful.

Anybody else?

[Three Valves]

I thought that just got your name in the program, not the lead!!

[MaryAnn]

Oh, the string player also happens to be the personnel manager for the orchestra in which he butchers the principal part. I have noted this many times....in community groups, there are two basic rules: first come, first chair, until death do them part; and, give money and/or service, you can to play what and where you want. So that same orchestra had a 2nd oboe who sounded like a mortally wounded duck, who was also the librarian. Death did them part eventually.

PS: this is not the orchestra I play in now. I played in it before my lengthy illness that took me out of action for five years.

[Three Valves]

I have to retire and get into a band.

I think I'd love the Cattiness!!

[windshieldbug]

I *aspire* to be the local Florence Foster Jenkins...

[bort]

No... but thank you for making me aware of Florence Jenkins.

[Three Valves]

Overrated!!

[opus37]

I used to play in a local community band. The Florence Jenkins was the "lead" flute player. She was/is a pure pre-madonna. Thought she was the cat's meow. We'd start each year with 6 or 7 new flute players and each year she would drive them all away. Some things just aren't worth it. Oh, and no she couldn't play worth _____!

[MaryAnn]

Based on the movie, which I did see and which was extremely well done, I got the idea that FJ was a very nice person. That could have been Streep's interpretation for the screen, or it could have been true.
I heard of FJ when about a decade ago I went to a dance company performance, and the pre-performance music was a recording of FJ. I turned to the person next to me and said, "NOBODY can be that bad without doing it on purpose." Sort of like the Jack Benny of voice, but more exaggerated. Then I was educated on who FJ was.

[tofu]

Based on the movie, which I did see and which was extremely well done, I got the idea that FJ was a very nice person. That could have been Streep's interpretation for the screen, or it could have been true.
I heard of FJ when about a decade ago I went to a dance company performance, and the pre-performance music was a recording of FJ. I turned to the person next to me and said, "NOBODY can be that bad without doing it on purpose." Sort of like the Jack Benny of voice, but more exaggerated. Then I was educated on who FJ was.

We bailed half-way through the movie. Perhaps it got better after we left - it was just not enjoyable to watch. I believe the box office returns did not even cover the cost of making the film. Maybe they'll make something on the soundtrack sales. Who wouldn't want to hear bad intonation, rhythm and voice.

[Three Valves]

My response would have been, "we had your going away party after you left!!"

[Three Valves]

Well, I'm kinda like that except without the massive contribution part!!

[humBell]

the main point to this thread and its title:

We all believe that it is ~NOT~ us, eh...??

I know i am one.

Perhaps i don't contribute monetarily, but there are groups what i play with which i contribute sufficient time and energy to, and they definitely overlook my musical drawbacks for the most part. Then again, i am not alone on tuba, and the fact i almost never practice outside of rehearsal is mitigated by playing with multiple groups with overlapping music, and being pretty good about attendance.

Yeah, i liked the recent movie, but it touched a few soft spots for me.

I hope someone compliments me on my comedic timing.

And tuba busking, i got my favorite request just before xmas, when someone asked me if i could play "louder".