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SubCategory Archive (tags): ‘Opera’

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We are Number One

PUBLISHED: December 31, 2009, John Ericson

As the year ends a thank you to the folks at The Mellocast, who awarded Horn Matters the top ranking among the “top 5 most significant events in the Middle Brass world” for 2009. Check out their podcast (episode 101!) and the full list of the top 5 for 2009 at http://www.mellocast.com/

Orchestra 101: The Money Question

PUBLISHED: December 11, 2009, John Ericson

Early in this series I was asked the question how much money can you make playing in an orchestra? Players in top orchestras do pretty well. There is in every orchestra contract an amount specified that is the minimum annual salary. The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra has the highest minimum salary and all of the following [...]

Sub-categories:
Opera, Orchestra, Orchestra 101

Orchestra 101 Special Edition: What Conductors Think About Horn Players

PUBLISHED: November 24, 2009, John Ericson

Horn players think a lot of things about conductors. They are our bosses, make a lot more money, and can generally make life hard for us if they choose. But what do conductors think about us? At an unguarded moment? Kenneth Woods is a British conductor with a fine blog. We at Horn Matters do [...]

It’s Not Easy Being Green – or Stressed Out

PUBLISHED: November 20, 2009, Bruce Hembd

The response and comments to “Are All Professionals Kind of … Jaded?” have been eye-opening and enlightening. My hope is that in opening this dank can of worms and sharing these insights, it might be better understood how to reach some kind of mental balance, or at the very least realize when things are out-of-balance. [...]

Are All Professionals Kind of … Jaded?

PUBLISHED: November 17, 2009, Bruce Hembd
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The pleasures in performing music are relatively well known – they seem practically innate from birth. Over time these joys can mature into a life-long relationship, and perhaps even into a professional career. A regular job in a symphony or opera orchestra, or chamber group is a job that is like no other. The experience [...]

Two Typical Leadership Styles of Conductors to Watch For

PUBLISHED: November 6, 2009, Bruce Hembd

With regard to leadership there are basically two types of music conductors: Those that lead from the side Those that lead from the front Conductors that lead from the side will begin rehearsals with broad concepts. They allow details to organically evolve from the musicians in rehearsal and will mold this organic process into a [...]

Categories: Sub-categories:
Opera, Orchestra

Conductors: Time and Gesture

PUBLISHED: November 5, 2009, Bruce Hembd

I can remember the first time I worked with a world class conductor. His manner and mannerisms were so different from what I was accustomed to that it took me a good while to understand and follow him. While my encounters with world-class conductors has been admittedly few and far in-between, over the years it [...]

Categories: Sub-categories:
Opera, Orchestra
John Ericson & Bruce Hembd
on the French horn, brass related topics, and the field of classical music.