Becoming an Orchestral Musician takes you on a
journey into the musical profession. It is the first
comprehensive guide for professional musicians on how to
succeed in joining an orchestra or ensemble, and how to
survive as an orchestral musician. Such crucial topics
as how to obtain the right tuition, music college versus
university, auditioning, nerves, the secrets of ensemble
playing and intonation, conductors, the mechanics of the
orchestra, performing philosophies and strategies for
survival are covered in separate sections. The matter of
how to explore and adapt one's musical psyche, the
pitfalls of a career in music and the highs and lows of
performing are also discussed. The history, mythology
and science of music-making and numerous anecdotes
provide a vivid background. It is essential reading for
all orchestral musicians, including players of every
instrument, whether at college or university or during
their career, whether full-time or part-time, and
whether professional or amateur, and also for the
parents of budding instrumentalists. There are probably
more orchestras and ensembles in the length and the
breadth of Britain today than ever before.With the
renewed recognition in schools of the importance of
music, the competition among younger musicians has
become intense. Schools and colleges need to be well
informed about career guidance for their students.
Richard Davis's book will give the answers to many of
the questions those students will be asking. It has been
warmly welcomed by his colleagues in the BBC
Philharmonic, and by other musicians, too. Twenty of
them have been interviewed by him specially for it on
their experiences and on advice they would like to give
to younger musicians on many different themes. They
include principals and rank and file players, soloists,
academics, music critics, fixers, chamber musicians and
people involved in management. |
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