Developing Your Orchestral Resume

Your ability to succeed as an orchestral musician is not merely tied to your skill with your chosen instrument or your educational record. Naturally, professional orchestras will expect you to play to a very high standard and to be familiar with a wide array of music, to be able to learn new pieces in days and perform to a consistently high quality day after day. Creating a successful career in the art world is more similar to how it works in the "real" world than you might think. Make friends, influence people, and get them to want to help you out.

Musicians in an orchestra typically have problems with their conductor. This is nearly universal. To listen to most musicians, there is always something horribly wrong with the conductor. While this might be true, a confrontational attitude with the conductor never benefits the overall quality of the music or the interpersonal environment of the orchestra. Furthermore, if someone in your section develops a solid chip on their shoulder against taking direction, you need to compensate your playing to make up for your partner's malfeasance.

If you detect conflict between your peers and the conductor - or if you, yourself, have problems - consider acting as a mediator. Try to understand the problems from everyone's perspective. Aim at maintaining positive relationships between yourself, the other people in your section and the conductor. These are the most valuable references that you can get when looking for other regular jobs or gigs. If they regard you as an all-around excellent player, friendly person and professional, it will open up many doors for you in your career.