Thriving in the Arts: Moving to a New Scene

Sometimes you just have to pack your bags. The water well runs dry and it is time to move on.

A previous article on the bad working conditions for school teachers in Arizona, reminded me that as a young and single musician, I enjoyed a great amount of freedom. If a new and better musical opportunity opened itself, I would generally go with it – even if it involved moving to a new city, state or even country.

Not being among the fortunate and talented who land an orchestra job directly from college or shortly thereafter, I ended up doing some traveling in order to keep playing the French horn professionally.

Geography

Looking back, I lived in:

• Rochester, New York as a student
• Germany for a summer
• Kent, Ohio – again, as a student
• Houston, Texas as a freelancer
• Chicago, Illinois as a student and freelancer
• Fort Wayne, Indiana – my first orchestra position
• Austria for a summer
• Tempe, Arizona starting a graduate degree
• Tucson, Arizona to play half an orchestra season
• Mexico City with the Philharmonic for a few years
• Summers at a Michigan-based festival
• Back to Phoenix, Arizona and freelancing

For several decades I made a living as a musician this way.

Young and single?

If an opportunity arises for some interesting musical work,  I say go for it to any single, entrepreneurial musician looking for greener pastures. Go where there is work.

If there is geographical relocation involved, give it careful thought and consideration. Weigh the pros and the cons, on a written list if necessary.

For myself, moving around like this was a tremendous experience booster.