Into the woods and out of the woods and home before dark.
Between 20 and 30 years ago, I played my horn a lot. I always had a rehearsal to go to or come from and opportunities laid before me like a carpet. Well, due to life changes and choices, that carpet is now a bare, cement floor on which I desperately hunt a mat to land on once in a while. Now, I'm lucky if I get a gig once every couple of years. It's kind of depressing as I still practice regularly, but for what I'm not quite sure.
My best opportunity lately is pit bands. They're quick in-quick out situations, the pay is low so many hungrier musicians don't want them, and I have more theatre contacts than musical ones. So, if a show has an actual budget (not that I insist on getting paid, but I won't turn it down), I can sometimes find myself in the pit. But again, only once every couple of years.
So, needless to say, when my friend Heather Arzberger was hiring a pit for a high school production of "Into the Woods," I made it known I was more than interested. (It was a chance to play, and it's one of my all-time favorite shows!)
In playing this show, it's significant to me in many ways, though not all in a positive way. The book itself is fairly easy (but that doesn't mean I don't make my share of mistakes) with a LOT of counting, but that's okay. And I love reliving the show over and over -- each time I love it even more.
It is distressing to me, though, that I feel very, very old. The musicians are young, talented, ambitious and young. I know, I listed "young" twice. Twenty years ago, I was them ... just out of Music school with a year or two of teaching under my belt. I knew everyone and everyone knew me. It was a reunion. But now, I see them where I was and I'm just the old guy sitting in the back. On one hand I'm honored that Heather hired me as I'm loving the experience in so many ways. On the other, I know my day has passed and that I'm getting old (I'm only 45, but still ...).
With luck this will be the first of many new gigs to come. I'm trying to be as friendly as possible so if anyone there needs a horn player, they'll think of me. I have "big" coming in August, so that will be another pit opportunity. And, if I'm not to needy, maybe Heather will hire me for next year's show.
I know I could take other opportunities out there, but like I said, life changes and choices don't afford me the time to do such things. But once in a while it's nice to actually play in something other than my basement.
My best opportunity lately is pit bands. They're quick in-quick out situations, the pay is low so many hungrier musicians don't want them, and I have more theatre contacts than musical ones. So, if a show has an actual budget (not that I insist on getting paid, but I won't turn it down), I can sometimes find myself in the pit. But again, only once every couple of years.
So, needless to say, when my friend Heather Arzberger was hiring a pit for a high school production of "Into the Woods," I made it known I was more than interested. (It was a chance to play, and it's one of my all-time favorite shows!)
In playing this show, it's significant to me in many ways, though not all in a positive way. The book itself is fairly easy (but that doesn't mean I don't make my share of mistakes) with a LOT of counting, but that's okay. And I love reliving the show over and over -- each time I love it even more.
It is distressing to me, though, that I feel very, very old. The musicians are young, talented, ambitious and young. I know, I listed "young" twice. Twenty years ago, I was them ... just out of Music school with a year or two of teaching under my belt. I knew everyone and everyone knew me. It was a reunion. But now, I see them where I was and I'm just the old guy sitting in the back. On one hand I'm honored that Heather hired me as I'm loving the experience in so many ways. On the other, I know my day has passed and that I'm getting old (I'm only 45, but still ...).
With luck this will be the first of many new gigs to come. I'm trying to be as friendly as possible so if anyone there needs a horn player, they'll think of me. I have "big" coming in August, so that will be another pit opportunity. And, if I'm not to needy, maybe Heather will hire me for next year's show.
I know I could take other opportunities out there, but like I said, life changes and choices don't afford me the time to do such things. But once in a while it's nice to actually play in something other than my basement.
posted by ADP at 5:38 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home