I guess I would have to do a little trampolining on a statement like that. I don't believe I've ever met a musician at the top levels who didn't have a wide ranging interest and expertise in other subjects, be it the sciences, history, mechanics. I think I could safely say without generalizing that nobody at that level is somebody "who can't do anything else". I went to the Chicago Symphony Alumni meeting a few years ago. Good grief! You wouldn't believe the conversations going on there on all imaginable subjects. I've had a number of friends who were fine musicians who went into other careers. They invariably did very well. I've talked to several employers from the "outside" world who say they love to hire musicians because they know how to work, they know how to sit down and woodshed a problem and they're quick learners. I've also talked to many students at the University level who are sour grapes because they haven't been willing to put in enough study to succeed. Of course there's always the old joke: "I only have an I.Q. of 60" "Really? What mouthpiece do you play?"
- Steve Mumford Jonathan wrote: In a way, its a bit sad that the system triages out everybody except those who can't do anything else (or who can't imagine doing anything else). I'm sure the music profession loses something from eliminating from their ranks everybody with a broader and more curious mind. Now, before somebody jumps on me to say it isn't true, and names some top-notch musician who is also a leading astrophysicist or something, let me say that this is a generalisation. It isn't literally true that *nobody* makes it in the profession who couldn't have made a success of themselves in another field, but there is a degree of truth that the competition for places is so savage that people who can do something else usually end up choosing a career other than music. I remember nearly 30 years ago when I was doing the 2 year postgrad performers course at the Royal College of Music after doing my bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering. I soon learned not to make a point of the subject of my degree - the other students would look at me as if I was an alien from outer space, and more then one gave voice to the question "But you could be doing something else. What are you doing here potentially taking a job away from one of us who can't do anything else?" >From what I've seen and heard talking to younger musicians and students today, it hasn't changed very much. Regards Jonathan West _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
