Dual Careers

kehaulani · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 5:43 pm Post subject:

You didn't answer the question about service bands.
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HaveTrumpetWillTravel · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 6:08 pm Post subject:

Do a lot of 30 year olds join service bands? Are they conducive to dual careers?

LaTrompeta · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 6:10 pm Post subject:

kehaulani · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 6:23 pm Post subject:

Well, I thought by now, you would've assumed a dual career was not in your future, so you want a career playing. and with stability, the service is something to look into.

BTW, the top age for joining the military is 42.
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LaTrompeta · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 6:26 pm Post subject:

LaTrompeta · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2022 1:07 am Post subject:

I mean, had I the opportunity to join, say, the USMC band, then yes, I would quit my job and do that and likely do programming part-time (and still make very good $ from it). However, I know that I am not that level of a player so I have no delusions of grandeur. I just really have the itch to play again!!

...and I just spent a fortune on new trumpets.

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LaTrompeta · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2022 1:14 am Post subject:

BTW, to answer some more questions. Here a few (somewhat) personal details:

1) No family / serious relationships YET.
2) No house (sold it in May -- was great timing).
3) No rental contracts as of today (I'm living out of AirBnBs for a bit).
4) Can work anywhere in the USA. In fact, I can work anywhere in the western hemisphere.
5) No pets.
6) Not going to live on either coast. Sorry...just a personal thing.
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HaveTrumpetWillTravel · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2022 6:53 am Post subject:

I have read of people (okay, usually retirees) who have chosen to live in a place that was home to specific community bands/orchestras. It may be you could do something similar since you are so geographically flexible. What type of music do you most enjoy playing? What would be your dream playing experience (given job constraints)?

Shaft · Heavyweight Member Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 982

It looks like bouncing some ideas around is helping your focus.

Hobby instead of career seems more appropriate as a heading now.

If military bands are above your self evaluation,
would it be safe to say major and minor symphonies too?

If the coasts are not an option major cities in the midwest may have more “gigs”

Again though a self limiting perception of ones ability does not go hand in hand with playing as a “career” “Supplemental income” is different also.

The community band thing is good for some people but thats reverse…
Many times its pay to play.

Also, what kind of music do you really want to play? You just bought trumpets. Was the focus in a certain genre? Does that require you to network with a particular type of musician? Some cities are better suited for different styles. Or does what you want to play even require being present? Ie recording

Just more food for thought.

kehaulani · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2022 7:50 am Post subject:

I'm not sure that your job requirements and your realities if the classical music "business" are compatible.

YMMV, but if it were me, I'd pick a semi-pro or regional orchestra I could play in and relocate there while, simultaneously, finding an IT/computer work that you can do from home and on flex time.
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LaTrompeta · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2022 10:10 am Post subject:

Yes, I am basically thinking out loud here and not entirely even sure what exactly I want to do with this music thing -- I just know that I want to play with the best group possible, under my circumstances. I don't have delusions of grandeur and really don't care how much $$ I make doing it, I just miss playing.
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LaTrompeta · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2022 11:02 am Post subject:

I've also been learning organ & jazz piano...I have lots of interests in life. Perhaps I should try to get involved in my local music community and become a valued addition. I really need to get out and play trumpet, though. Nothing makes up for it

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Brassnose · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2022 11:49 am Post subject:

The first sentence in TheHighNotes comment is interesting. I have been there and have been chasing my dream job until the chase almost killed me - literally. Hence my comment …
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TheHighNotes · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2022 9:20 pm Post subject:

Brassnose · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2022 12:11 am Post subject:

Sure, I just wanted to put it in perspective. Been a dream chaser myself for a long time. But maybe that IS the lesson that only life can teach you 😊
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Seymor B Fudd · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2022 2:42 am Post subject:

Seems to me that you have, coming from deep inside, a great love for music and playing. So why not keep that (for you) fascinating occupation you already have and go searching for good enough ensembles that satisfy your musical needs?
Meaning that I fail to see that you most of all want to earn money by playing.
In another words:Music is your present mistress.

The perspective of pursuing careers in both music and computer science leaves no possibilities of achieving those aspects of our short life that are said to be free.

And if "along came Polly"??? You might be polyamorous but she´s likely not.
Havetrumpetwilltravel put it succinctly:"I will also say that the non-professionals are often the happiest, because they can play when they want, can afford twenty thousand instruments, etc. Working in IT and playing 10 hours a week sounds like a pretty good plan to me."

I sincerely do agree, having been able to play in bands all my life, and when Polly came along engaging in a family (I was a late 'wedder') while hitting the academic and professional roofs I went on playing! My Polly (ahmm... Pollies)fortunately realized that I had to play....music was part of my being. Still married.
I know, a rare gift! But some Pollies do have it. You just haven´t met your YET
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Brassnose · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2022 5:25 am Post subject:

Ha, in my case it was not Charlie Schlueter but Mickey Roker, who had played with Dizzy. You never know what happens. I also like the term „hitting the academic and professional roofs“ by Seymour. That’s pretty much my situation and music is just great to get out and have fun and free up your mind. If you find one or two, ideally different styles of, orchestras go for it.
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TheHighNotes · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2022 7:38 pm Post subject:

patdublc · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2022 4:02 am Post subject:

It's a great idea, just work on managing your expectations. For example, if you feel you need to practice 3 hours a day to be in shape, then that becomes a real commitment. If you're only able to practice 1 hour per day then you may have to deal with never feeling like you're in shape. So, whatever those numbers are for you and what you're able to do with them can help guide your path.
I've done what you're talking about for decades. I'm a computer scientist but who currently provides corporate solutions architecture for our business intelligence group and oversight to corporate master data governance. As a player, I've played orchestra, wind ensemble, big band, theater pits, and do solo appearances. I've "retired" from big band but I played in a group for 32 years, mostly as lead trumpet. I just finished my 45th year with a community band. I play the occasional gig in DC, NY, and even a couple in Boston.
To be honest, I'm seldom in a position where I think my chops are dialed in. I just don't practice enough to get there, but I practice enough to stay in pretty good shape.
As I get older, I'm finding that I want to focus more on areas that I really enjoy like music theater pits. I love live theater and play as many shows per year as I can schedule.
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