shiny watches in performance

ramado24@clarkston.k12.mi · Regular Member Joined: 19 Dec 2023 Posts: 28

My conductor told me I could not wear a shiny watch on stage as it is "distracting". The watch is not outlandish or anything, it is a nice simple seiko divers watch. Do any of you guys perform with shiny watches and feel just fine?
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Andy Del · Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2023 1:34 am Post subject:

Distracting for whom?

There are things we don’t do on stage, wear cologne / perfume, Batman masks, or KISS style make up for black and white Concert dress.

A watch? Next I’ll be banned from wearing my patent Doc Martins!

Just push it up your wrist a bit… and give the conductor a chill pill.
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jkarnes0661 · Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2023 1:38 am Post subject:

Is this a community ensemble or a professional ensemble? If it's a professional ensemble I typically go with whatever the conductor/MD/band leader is asking for unless they're asking for something that is contrary to union contract rules.
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Gonzalez · Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2023 2:44 am Post subject:

My watch has a bezel in white gold and is bling af, never had a complaint! But as a watch lover and in the audience, I use a lot of time spotting the watches on stage and try to see what it is … take the focus off the music :p
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stuartissimo · Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2023 3:31 am Post subject:

Liberace got away with it…
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trumpetchops · Heavyweight Member Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 2644

I try really hard to do that the boss wants. If I don't like it, I won't take the next gig. I've had to play for some things where I felt uncomfortable or under bad conditions and I've said to myself, I'll never work here again.
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kehaulani · Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2023 11:44 am Post subject:

Is this really difficult? Get aa Swatch and fuggetaboutit.
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Brassnose · Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2023 11:35 pm Post subject:

Just watching this and I don’t think anyone is distracted by Christian Scott’s watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSsEt5Bk99M

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krax · Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2023 5:50 am Post subject:

What's the dress code?

If it's evening dress, tuxedo, national costume etc. then you're conductor is correct and there's nothing to argue about. Accept it.

Of course, you can choose to be Gabriel Garcia Marquez and refuse, but are you really a Nobel Prize Winner of rare capacity and in a position to do what you want?

If the dress code is informal, well, then you have to ask yourself if it's really worth arguing with the conductor about.

Daniel Barenboim · Veteran Member Joined: 20 May 2011 Posts: 247

Bud told me what to wear.

😎

DB

kehaulani · Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2023 12:47 pm Post subject:

Dress Code? The dress code is what the MD/Conductor says it is. This isn't complex.

You can either:
* have a private talk with him/her (which may or not resolve it)
* Don't wear a shiny watch
* quit the ensemble
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"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

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Adams F-1 Flghn

Miketpt · Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2023 2:24 pm Post subject:

homebilly · Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2023 2:26 pm Post subject:

Flavor Flav is your friend

and don’t forget to pay your taxes once you get rich
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andybharms · Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2023 4:17 pm Post subject:

So far my only real accomplishment in life is getting the Eastern seaboard professional trumpet community into fancy watches.

Life is too short: Wear that Seiko.
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kehaulani · Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2023 5:47 pm Post subject:

Croquethed · Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2023 5:59 pm Post subject:

With a k12 email, probably a high school band.

GizB · Veteran Member Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 200

Brassnose - couldn't take my eyes off his watch - very distracting! Forreal forreal, I was very glad to see this. Christian Scott is a fine trumpeter, and and in this video he has some funky Roy Hargrove tendencies. Thanks for posting this!

Irving · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 1888

A silver plated trumpet has a lot more bling than a shiny watch. Leave the watch home but polish that trumpet until it gleams.

Craig Swartz · Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 8:41 am Post subject:

IME, conductors tend to be quite vain...

You've probably got a better watch then he/she/it and there's some jealousy involved. (Actual envy wouldn't be possible with a lot of conductors...)

kehaulani · Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 8:53 am Post subject: