How was this fair??

Claiken · Post by **Claiken** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 5:00 pm

So, i just got done playing in the pit for a local theatre show.

but, i was ticked about 1 thing. theres this guy who shows up to practise... basically, whenever the hell he feels like it. he showed up once during our many practises before the show. granted, hes a good player, but whenever he does show up, he gets to kick me (committed person who went every practise but one, and told them why in advance) out of my seat. he didnt show up to any practises but 1, we literally never know if he is going to show up until that day, and never know where he is when not at practise, and got to play 3 shows and kick me out, although i am far more committed than him....

HOW is this fair?? i was so ticked... still kinda am. (he almost made me not be able to play for my parents but i protested.)

my high school band director always said he didnt care who could play better, the more committed person won the spot...

wulf · Post by **wulf** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:49 am

It doesn't sound very fair, unless it was explained when you took on your commitment to practising and rehearsing. Count it as a lesson for the future - if you work with the same group in future, find out what their ground rules are before committing any time to the project.

Wulf

Claiken · Post by **Claiken** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:17 am

well, the only thing known ahead of time was that there were only 4 flutes allowed in the pit (and he made 5). in fairness, he should have been the one told to not play on those days. but in whatever other method was used, i was told to not play certain days. i would have been more than fine with it if he had shown up to every practise too! Its just the committment factor that bothers me really.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:10 am

Definately a lesson for the future. If I were a conductor, I wouldn't have tolerated that sort of behaviour unless the player and I had arranged it in advance. Even in that case, the players have every right to know what is going on.

Was this a non-paying gig? If it was, well... there isn't much that could have been done. Most community theatre directors are almost at the mercy of their performers.

Anyhow. I think that was quite unprofessional. I could understand leaving a rehearsal early if you weren't playing for the rest of the evening. I could understand only coming to the dress rehearsals [when I played in the pit orchestra for the KY Ballet Company's production of Sleeping Beauty, the Harpist did that]. But this? I would be a bit annoyed too particularly if it was at my expense.

Oh well. Just brush it off your shoulder, and move on. It's the music biz, and all that should matter to you is your playing and your reputation as a player. Let someone else make a fool of themself. They will not get called for jobs, and you will.

Claiken · Post by **Claiken** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:34 pm

It was a nonpaying gig, so im not out any money or anything. but still... i LOVE those shows (theyre a yearly thing) and this guy clearly doesnt care enough to even come to practise, hardly ever. so, yes it got me ticked. lol.

has anyone else had a similar experience?

Symphony · Post by **Symphony** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:52 am

It sounds like politics to me to be honest, as though there's some higher order in charge, where this guy knew someone in charge and thus got away with this. it's the most annoying thing in the world when you're trying to make a living, and a name for yourself - but unfortunately appears almost everywhere in all shapes and forms, and becomes obstacles that we have to work around.

etgohomeok · Post by **etgohomeok** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:22 pm

Well, how good exactly was he?

Because if there's a considerable difference in skill level, then that comes before good personality (in my opinion, which I know alot of people disagree with).