Posted by Frank Z. Mustafa on May 04, 2003 at 23:44:44:
In Reply to: Re: Saving Orchestras posted by why? on May 04, 2003 at 23:33:32:
Mr. Y,
You've hit upon an important point here: why can't we just make orchestras part-time jobs?
I kinda like the idea, but doing it universally would have far-reaching consequences:
1. Nobody would pay $125,000 to go to Juilliard, Eastman, etc. anymore. Those schools would have to find other ways of maintaining themselves, or cut tuition. Part of the argument orchestral players make for their high salaries is the investment they make in preparing themselves at the conservatory.
2. Nobody would pursue something as expensive as brass playing intensely unless they thought they were going to see a return for their efforts. Where's the impetus for Timmy to work those scales three hours a night, if the Des Moines and NY Phil pay equally well.
3. All the orchestras would become homogenous in quality. Why would a player go out of his way to play in New York if the job couldn't pay his bills? Heck, I'm going to Honolulu, baby! (Note: Don't kill someone in order to effect a job opening at Honolulu.)
The Z Man