Friday, September 2, 2011

The Large "Legit" Ensemble Part One

With a background in classical music and experience as an "extra percussionist" in The North Carolina Symphony and The Shreveport Symphony, it seemed like a good idea to search for large "legit" ensemble gigs after my move to the Dallas area in the mid-eighties.  This was before the Internet--- but I somehow tracked down names and numbers and began my campaign. Over the years,  I played sub / extra work with a number of groups (including America's premier windband, The Dallas Wind Symphony).  Eventually, the path of phone calls led to a gig as a regular percussionist with a regional orchestra.  I played with that group for eight seasons.

The lesson:                      I called.

What if the orchestra already has their core roster set and is not holding auditions?  Ask about getting on the substitute / extra list.  There is frequently a need for subs.  Extras?  Although an orchestra usually has a core group, often pieces are programmed that require more players.   For example, a group might have three regular percussion spots but many works in the repertoire require more players.  (Six hands can only do so much.)  So...the orchestra calls people from the extra list.  You want to be on that list.

The people to contact...
the orchestra personnel manager and / or the principal player of the section in which you would fit.

More in Part Two

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