Until just this school year, I had never really considered seriously taking music as a profession. I had heard (from various people, my parents included), that musicians don`t make much money, and that killed the interest. I don`t mean I need a job making 200,000/yr, it`s just I thought that since I liked science/math, I could be better off with a profession concerning those.

I recently saw a list of top 20 or so orchestras and the minimal starting wage was like above 50,000! Now, I think that it`s a lot of money if I would be doing something I don`t consider work at all. If I don`t practice often enough, I really get a hunger-like feeling inside of me telling me to practice. Now, I`ve only been playing for 1 and 1/2 years, but am at end of Suzuki 6 and also learning Sarasate`s Romanza Andaluza. I`m still no "amazing violin player". Living in the Twin Cities also helps since we have the St. Paul Chamber and the Minnesota Orchestra (experience-wise).

Does anyone have any information on playing in an orchestra for a living? I will always keep playing my instrument, regardless of how horrible I may be, lol! At least I don`t play far away from my bridge. Any place where I could find information would be helpful too. I really don`t know what else to say, I have too many ideas "floating around in my head" right now.

Does anyone have any information on playing in an orchestra for a living?

-Yes, unfortunately you first have to go to college and take stupid classes and finish them before being able to actually take classes in your Music major. Then after that "PAPER-WORK" to give to the Professional Symphony orchestra, the only thing that you will have to worry about then is is you play well enough for their standards and if there is even an opening in the orchestra at all!

OOps...

...Then after that, you will have the necessary "CREDENTIALS" or PAPER-WORK to give to the Professional Symphony orchestra,...

huh...what a long, tedious journey that seems. But trust us, that`s the way it is. It`s the paperwork and credentials that accounts for an audition placement. But the long path to that is definately rewarding. Nothing like playing and working hard amongst a whole pool of string players, and then dive down town for a wild night out together after every successful concert. U`ve quite to experience it yrself. But it ain`t gonna be easy getting there. Tis a long way, and no short cuts. And no breaks also. U`ve gotta work very hard if that`s what u want for yrself. Psst...Dun worry abt. $ though...From What I know...Musicians are probably one of the highest paid lot in the working community. and that is if yr one with paperworks.

I will try not to change the subject, but what about Tim first said. When it comes to being rich and having money to spend, it`s not how much you make, but how much everything else costs. My dad said that when he first got a minimum wage job in the early 70`s, he could buy a new car along with renting an apartment and paying off bills whatever and other stuff with one years salary. Theres no way you could do that now with todays minimum wage of about $5.50 an hour. Does anybody think the starting minimum wage should be $15 an hour atleast, personally I think there should be no mimimum wage. Here in the U.S.A., has anybody noticed that it`s harder and harder to get a job if you don`t already have one, wether it`s a high or low paying job and has anybody noticed how how everything seems to be made in another coutry. DING DING DING, the correct answer is that our jobs have been sent to outher countries because of Democrats which is the reason why our economy has been doing bad and how making $50,000 a year really isn`t that much to make unless husband and wife are both making that much. Now that Bush is president, things are getting a lot better.

Let`s not bring politics into this whole thing. IMHO, the only 2 things that can never be won in a debate, if the people are equally willed and informed, is politics and religion. I myself am quite an environmentalist, so let`s get back on the track about music...

I figured it would be something like that, where you have to work pretty hard to get into an orchestra. When it comes to money, I`m not very concerned. I`ve been told that if I wanted to, I could be a doctor and earn lots of money. Well, I`d rather do something I enjoy, but if I have the choice between two things I enjoy equally, logic tells us to pick the higher paying profession.

What would you do inbetween the times of getting out of college and getting into the orchestra for money? Depending on the area, you could teach lessons, but what do you have to do? I`m not really expecting super exact answers, but if anyone could refer me to anything that would be great!

-Tim

Well, it really depends on yr district. Maybe u can teach violins for local district string ensembles, or be a music director/concert master for the district orchestra. Or simply play at the pub or hotel lobby. I`ve done that b4, and the pay is so-so. Or u can teach part time in public schools. What comes to worst, just teach in a local music school or yr home studios. Dun worry abt. what u do for the mean time caz yr final destination is to get into the orchestra pit and not some small time music school. SO,as long as `this part time` job pays enough and isn`t boring or tiring, well then go for it. And if yr qualification is pretty impressive, even now, well, u can join whatever large scaled youth orchestra or trainee for the professional,commercial orchestra. They would pay u as well, but not as handsomely as a full time player. Or simply teach other music, but non-violin related stuffs. I taught choir and handbells b4 and the pay was quite rewarding, while the lessons were fun. But for that(teaching non-violin stuffs) u must have either a degree minor/major in that instrument(ie:voice), or simply a really qualified resume and paperwork that`ll prove u to be an experienced Music Teacher. And that yr experience will be useful even when teaching non-violin related things. Thank u.

continued...u can do ad placements in the papers or internets. Or even district noticeboards, or start distributing yr name cards to all yr nrighbours/friends/relatives( practically speaking, quite everyone u know) today. U`ll be suprised by the vast replies u`ll get looking for professional violin teachers. Sorry for splitting my ans. in 2. Didn`t read yr thread carefully.