Expert: Marbeth - 9/25/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello,
this is my dilemma: I started playing the violin when I was about 6 years old, switched to viola in middle school and fell in love with the instrument. I was a serious player, still serious and I accomplished quite a lot all the way through high school ( had to audition to get into this school ). My senior year I was accepted into a pretty good school but some situations happened and I wound up not attending the college ( father passed away, had to move to different state, family not able to support college financially, etc.). I am twenty four years old and I still practice daily (though I'm married now) and I believe that I've gotten better over the year. Should I take the plunge and go to school to get a degree, etc. and make a career of it, or should I not bother? Mind you, I have no aspirations to be a soloist, just to be in an orchestra. I'd appreciate any advice you could give.
Thanks,
Rebekah

ANSWER: Marvelous!  I'm so impressed!

Your goal is to play well in an orchestra, right?  I think right now you're probably well-enough prepared to play in a community group (not a full-blown, commercial symphony).  And doubtless good enough for community small-orchestra gigs (esp. MESSIAH and things like that).  

Do you have any experience playing 4tets?  If so, such ensembles are frequently hired by churches, esp for special Sundays, weddings/funerals, when the organist is on vacation, etc.  Another area you could explore with a 4tet would be the "wedding circuit."  There are sometimes local booking agencies that field requests for ensembles.  Some require a flat fee to be "put on the call list," and others take a % of your payment.  Perhaps a local orchestra runs such a service, too.  The musicians' local does, I am sure - - you'd have to join the union, however.  

Wedding planners (and get it touch with florists, dept. stores, photographers, etc. - - all places a bride might make contact with someone from who she wishes to purchase services).  I do not know what kind of $ relationship you'd have with these people.  Reciprocal recommendations, if you're lucky.  A % perhaps of your payment?

All these things could open for you thru an orchestra, where you could hook up with 2 violinists and a cellist for 4tets.  Violists are -very- hard to come by!!

Now, as to a degree, I think if you want a degree, you should go for it.  The more extensive your credentials, of course, the better your chances for "getting in the door" for whatever you want to do.  I encourage you to pursue this.

In the meantime, you might consider studying privately with a good teacher to brush up your skills.  "Student of ___" is always good to put on a resume bcs it tells the reader that you are not only interested in upgrading your skills and expanding your knowledge but that you are DOING something about it.

Check with the local universities and community colleges. Ask for the chairperson of the string faculty.  Are there any faculty members who take private students?  Can the chair or a string professor point you toward competent grad students?  If there are string orchestras, 4tets, etc. in your community, you might be able to get a line on a teacher thru a venue such as this.  Also check music stores (instruments, print).  Get hold of the local music teachers' group (thru music store) and inquire about string teachers thru this route.

As to a career, what is it you propose to do?  Be an orchestral musician, with pick-up gigs on the side?  (Be aware that auditions for pro orchestras are fierce, and there are not that many openings.  For this level, you certainly need a degree and a good deal of experience for your resume bcs other applicants will be presenting this.)  Just do pick-up gigs?  

Teach viola?  Please note that teaching viola is a lot different from an orchestra gig.  A good player does not necessarily make a good teacher!  In fact, some excellent players are utterly lousy as teachers!  A teacher must not only be a very good player but a teacher.  (Those who can't teach have to do something else.)

I have covered this topic plus questions from potential-teachers extensively on my site:

marthabeth   .com/pedagogy.   html
there is a QA link at the bottom of the page, also

Also see this QA page:
marthabeth    .com/consumer_QA.   html for insights

["close up" the urls, of course]

Please write back if you have other questions!  Again, I salute you!
mb





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: just wanted to thank you for answering so fast! You have given me some great advice and options that I can look into. I have quite a bit of experience with 4tets and the like. I do know that I'm a dreadful teacher! Thanks for the help and I'll look in on your website. Thanks again!

Answer
My pleasure to respond!  Thanks for your kind words.  

A word of caution for you:  since you know you are "a dreadful teacher," I urge you NOT to take students!  Until you have some training in it!  

Glad you do have some 4tet under your belt.  I believe that's going to net you some $ pretty quickly.  Get going right now on making contacts.  Christmas season is fast upon us, and folks are rehearsing for that as we type.  Look first for a community orch. doing MESSIAH (call commun. centers) and join that.  Call local churches, too.

Best wishes!  
mb