(no subject)
Yesterday my contract with Busch was renewed...not just for the summer, but for the whole 10-month season.
I feel very grateful. In this time when even unionized, salaried musicians are having to fight for their jobs, I am so easily able to get steady work in music. Some musicians would say that this isn't a 'respectable' or 'legit' gig; some non-musicians would argue that since it's not full-time, year-round, and benefitted, it's not a 'real' job.
I beg to differ, and would ask these people whether they've SEEN our economy lately. First off, having a job at all is something to be thankful for. Secondly, how many people do you know that get to actually do what they went to school for? ESPECIALLY in the arts?
Musicians are not often compensated fairly for their years of practice and skill-honing.
That's how this industry IS. Maybe it's not right, but that's why I'd like to ask myself what I can do to make life better for musicians in the future. As live classical music declines in America, maybe we can never again expect to make a living wage through our art.
But so what? We were never promised a livelihood.
Anyway, now that I know what's going on with Busch, I can move on with the rest of my life :)
I haven't said anything to my office job yet, and I won't until probably mid-February. My hope is that they'll either be willing to let me stay on part time through June, or at least give me two extra weeks to train their next person.
I've also asked the candy store to wait until March before scheduling me again, so that if I lose the office job, I can pick them right back up.
This year I'm prepared, and refuse to be caught without work!!!!
I feel very grateful. In this time when even unionized, salaried musicians are having to fight for their jobs, I am so easily able to get steady work in music. Some musicians would say that this isn't a 'respectable' or 'legit' gig; some non-musicians would argue that since it's not full-time, year-round, and benefitted, it's not a 'real' job.
I beg to differ, and would ask these people whether they've SEEN our economy lately. First off, having a job at all is something to be thankful for. Secondly, how many people do you know that get to actually do what they went to school for? ESPECIALLY in the arts?
Musicians are not often compensated fairly for their years of practice and skill-honing.
That's how this industry IS. Maybe it's not right, but that's why I'd like to ask myself what I can do to make life better for musicians in the future. As live classical music declines in America, maybe we can never again expect to make a living wage through our art.
But so what? We were never promised a livelihood.
Anyway, now that I know what's going on with Busch, I can move on with the rest of my life :)
I haven't said anything to my office job yet, and I won't until probably mid-February. My hope is that they'll either be willing to let me stay on part time through June, or at least give me two extra weeks to train their next person.
I've also asked the candy store to wait until March before scheduling me again, so that if I lose the office job, I can pick them right back up.
This year I'm prepared, and refuse to be caught without work!!!!