What is your plan?? (POLL!!)

[Kevin Hendrick]

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.

[TUBAD83]

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

[Tom Beck II]

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!

[Dean E]

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+++++.

070808123913--Parachute 09.jpg

[Lew]

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.

[JHardisk]

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.

"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 )

[TUBAD83]

"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...
[/quote]

Well I will not go into my view of the AF (other than the hardest thing you will ever have to do is the one audition and that 6 week summer camp they basic training). In the time I spent as an Army bandsman I got the opportunity to conduct an ensemble of professional musicians on a number of occasions, learned about arranging, recording, and sound, given the opportunity to help create a pop "show band", given the opportunity to go to grad school basically for free. MY plug for the Army---OOOOHRAH!

[JHardisk]

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

I can say that as someone who has been fortunate to have been active in a couple of different careers, this can be said for almost every job.

Finding your personal happiness while doing any given job, when possible, is the key to success.

I couldn't agree more, LJV. Happiness is something you find for yourself. And that doesn't necessarily mean it will be derived from work. However, being someone who is fortunate enough to play my axe(among a few other things) as employment is a wonderful thing. Even when it means backing up a crappy pop vocalist or pounding out stars and stripes for the oompteenth million time, I am one of the lucky few to be buzzing for a living. (Take that as you like )

While we all have these big goals for life, and plans to "make it", many times the road is bumpy and has unexpected curves. The best ability not taught at most schools is how to deal with those obstacles in a constructive way. One of my good friends says (without trying to get too biblical) "We make plans, and god laughs".

For those who still want to "make it", work harder. Because people who have already "made it" are still trying to find that bigger gig, or searching for a change of scenery. No matter what, there will always be someone better than you. That is one of my biggest motivators... When I'm not practicing.. someone else is. (But, when I'm not practicing, I'm usually spending time with my wife and kids... which are far more important than buzzing into a big hunk of metal for hours on end)

Sorry for getting too deep... must be the cold pills and energy drink warring each other in my system...

Off for my date with Mr. Snedecor and Prokofiev 5...

[pierso20]

Composition most likely...and doing teacher...and most of all, trying to be successful in ANYTHING

[Rick Denney]

Even in tough times, well-educated and motivated people usually find a way to feed themselves, no matter what they studied in college.

There are too many engineers who chose that profession because it seemed remunerative. Their career usually stalls, unless they are gifted in sales, because they just too often don't (or won't) think like an engineer. Those who are merely gifted in sales can be wildly successful or jobless, according to the whims of the economy, but the folks who establish a firm's core competency (to borrow Lew's MBA phrase) are usually the last to go. Do what motivates you to be a part of a core competency. Spend time in college learning how to pursue that passion as energetically as possible. Worry about money later.

In music, only the best of the best will get good pay gigs, and that's been true forever. For them, college might even be a side show, while they do what it takes to be the best of the best. That requires critical self-assessment and absolute commitment, and may not provide time for a backup plan. If you are doing what you love to do and are talented to do with that sort of commitment, then you have done your part to maximize your opportunity to succeed. It's easier than you think to transfer that commitment to something else if you change course.

That happened to me. I wanted to be an architect from early childhood. I wasn't older than 10 when I asked for drafting tools for Christmas one year. I made good grades in college studying architecture, too, and had no shortage of talent. But I progressed to the point where I realized that architecture wasn't what I thought it was. That was confirmed when I could not get summer employment, despite friends in the business, a construction boom (at least in Houston where I was living), outstanding school credentials, and excellent grades. Turns out, real architects have something I lack, and I just didn't know it at the time. It also turns out that I didn't really want what I lacked. That led me to the discovery that I didn't necessarily love designing buildings and spaces--I just like designing anything. And I realized that engineers spend a lot more time designing than architects do, even as fresh college graduates.

That said, my architecture training definitely makes me a more rounded person and a much better engineer. I approach engineering design tasks from the ultimate application back, while most engineers seem to be designing before they understand the nature of the problem. Much ink is being devoted to teaching engineers to be more responsive to user needs, but I was already there because of my architecture training. Had I studied music, I would approach engineering from a musical perspective, and I know many superb engineers who do just that. In my case, my change in course required an extra two years in college, but I don't think any of that was wasted.

It's easy for an 18 or 19-year-old to be 1000% sure of his or her career choice, just as they are sure of everything. Pursue it wholeheartedly while the motivation lasts. But keep an open mind.

(By the way, the flurry of auditions and, ahem, musical chairs among tuba players of several years ago was the anomaly. The current lack of tuba openings is more the norm, by my observation.)

Rick "plan to be the very best at whatever is in front of you" Denney

[Watchman]

Let's see, I posted this about a year and a half ago.

How many big orchestra auditions in the US in that time? By my count zero. Any tuba military band openings in the DC bands? Not unless you play Euphonium. I hardly bother to open the international musician anymore or browse the Tubenet audition forums. Sad panda.

What have all the rest of you unemployed tuba players been up to? Anybody dropped tuba altogether for another career? Anybody teaching? If so, are you having fun? We're all still alive, but sometimes I wonder how.

I went back to school. I do some subbing 'round town when other tuba players get sick or have better gigs. Have a small stable of kids taking lessons. Hopefully, I can start teaching school again next fall. Assuming of course that I can find a job in the local district, and that said district hasn't cut music out of the curriculum entirely. Very glad the wife is in better shape than the husband.

....but enough about me, what about you?

[Chadtuba]

I was never interested in the pro playing jobs but rather just enjoy playing as often as I can on tuba, euphonium, and/or bass bone. I did drop out of grad school (MM instrumental conducting) to go back into the classroom. I now teach band & choir at a small rural school and am having a blast. I wish I had more opportunities to play, but I chose to be here so I'll just look into creating my own opportunies

[Todd S. Malicoate]

What have all the rest of you unemployed tuba players been up to? Anybody dropped tuba altogether for another career? Anybody teaching? If so, are you having fun? We're all still alive, but sometimes I wonder how.

I finally left my horrible day job (ok, it wasn't exactly my decision...I got laid off) and am finally making a living with music. I teach jazz piano, bass, and improv as an adjunct professor and "gig around" almost exclusively on piano. It's a difficult living never knowing where your next paycheck is coming from and wondering if there will be enough work to cover the bills, but it's much better than wasting time at a job you absolutely hate.

And the real bonus is I have much more time to practice tuba and compose.

[tbn.al]

I quote, " I am so very fortunate to have a good job that feeds my family, but my music feeds my soul." But even as a confirmed amatuer music addict I see problems on the horizon even if I never look to get paid again. We had better learn to enjoy the music we make for ourselves because the root of all this is the fact that fewer and fewer people give a rat's *** about what we play with a tuba in our hands. If you are looking to please an audience to get your kicks you are in for fewer and fewer kicks, paid or not.

[Mojo workin']

I finally left my horrible day job (ok, it wasn't exactly my decision...I got laid off) and am finally making a living with music. I teach jazz piano, bass, and improv as an adjunct professor and "gig around" almost exclusively on piano. It's a difficult living never knowing where your next paycheck is coming from and wondering if there will be enough work to cover the bills, but it's much better than wasting time at a job you absolutely hate.

That is great, Todd. Never knowing where you're next paycheck is coming from certainly beats a job that you dread going to.

I thought I was going to have to put my boot on three coworkers' necks (at a former place of employment) as I left. Being your own boss is immeasurably less stressful, even though one has to keep constant motivation to find more work.

[UNMTUBADUDE]

While I plan to teach, I would also like to help with any homeschool bands that are out there. In alot of cases, public schools are cutting band programs left and right. I would also like to do something my vocal abilities as well. Maybe get a gig where I can sing some and play tuba some as well.

[TexTuba]

Well since this thread was brought back...

Since I posted my smart-@$$ comment ( ), I got a job helping special-needs individuals. I love what I'm doing. At this point, I only pick up the tuba when I want to. However, I realized that I do not love playing the tuba. I found that I love and appreciate the music others make. The music major route wasn't for me, and I am fine with that.