A Good Representation of What Being a Pro Musician is Like

For students (or anyone) who has interest in being a professional musician, I always recommend they read Mozart in the Jungle.

Oboist Blair Tindall recounts her decades-long professional career as a classical musician, from the recitals and Broadway orchestra performances to the secret life of musicians who survive hand to mouth in the backbiting New York classical music scene, trading sexual favors for plum jobs and assignments in orchestras across the city. Tindall and her fellow journeymen musicians often play drunk, high, or hopelessly hungover, live in decrepit apartments, and perform in hazardous conditions. These are working-class musicians who schlep across the city between low-paying gigs, without health-care benefits or retirement plans—a stark contrast to the rarefied experiences of overpaid classical musician superstars.

An incisive, no-holds-barred account, Mozart in the Jungle is the first true, behind-the-scenes look at what goes on backstage and in the Broadway pit.

There is also an Amazon Series of the same title. There is more creative license taken, and I cannot vouch for it's appropriateness for younger viewers, but wanted to share.

As a #amazonassociate we earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

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Holiday Stroll Was a Success

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Today was an exciting morning! Four of our students entered the music competition at the 49th annual Irish Feis held in North Haven. Competitors came from all over the state of Connecticut and areas of NY State. The music instruments featured were fiddle, tin whistle, flute and accordion as well as voice. David Caldarella, in his first ever music competition took 1st place in his category of studying less than 3 years. What's exciting is he made a last minute change this morning to play a different piece than planned. His enthusiasm paid off! Also in her first competition, Rita Sherban put alot of effort into her Reel. Look at the smile on her face! She placed first in her category of studying over three years. Bridget Ruiz entered the music feis for her second year of competition (she took 1st place in her age category last year) This year she placed 2nd, in a more advanced category, and playing two contrasting dances in the key of D Major. Great job! Here she is, holding her trop...

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