David Runnion wrote:

>Kevin Sutton wrote:
>
>>This is only my opinion, Julia, but a musician with that kind of attitude
>>should go into used cars or something.
>
>An odd statement. By that reasoning, I guess I should go into used cars.
>I resent that, Kevin. (I might point out that you are a conductor,
>therefore confirming Julia's point. Any instrumentalists out there?)

Actually David, it has been only recently that I have taken to conducting
full time and I conduct more choirs that orchestras.  I spend the majority
of my professional music making time as a chorister or tenor soloist.  I am
also a respectable keyboardist.

>I love music with all my heart, but I have a life outside of it. I do my
>work, I do it very well, I play with a *lot* of expression, and I think
>that to equate listening to music all the time with the ability to
>express music beautifully is simply insulting and self-justifying. I
>personally need a break from music to recharge my batteries, refresh my
>energy. That doesn't make me a bad musician.

Idid not say that YOU were a bad musician or that there was anything wrong
with taking a break.  I merely said that my experience with professional
musicians is different from yours.

>Again, you are a conductor. How many performances do you do a week, and
>with how many orchestras? Do you know all the names of your principal
>players?

Again, I work mainly with choirs.  I rehearse with them at least once a
week and I guest conduct other choirs.  I can receite every one of their
names and all the subs on the roster as well.  I can also name at least
four of five people in many of the choruses and orchestras with which I
have sung or guest conducted.

>As an orchestral musician, let me tell you, I can't get so
>excited every week to always know the name of the conductor. Some stick
>with me, some don't. As for the names of the singers, often the
>orchestra is never introduced to them, they file in and out, some make
>an impression, some don't. To condemn an orchestral musician, who works
>like a dog day in and day out, and all too often is ignored at best and
>insulted at worst by overpaid conductors, for not being attentive to
>every conductor or soloist is, to me, in my humble O, lame and
>condescending.

You still have that chip on your shoulder about salaries.  If it makes you
feel better, I have NEVER, as a conductor, soloist or paid chorister EVER
been paid anything CLOSE to what even a last chair section player makes in
an orchestra.  Am I bitter? No.  I am busting my ass to raise enough funds
to pay MY singers an equitable wage.  Better to light one candle than to
curse the darkness.

Kevin Sutton