Last week I posted a Reader Response that stemmed from a reader’s email inquiry about what characteristics differentiate between who is a professional musician and who isn’t. The article generated some interesting responses and a few additional questions.
“I believe any neologisms would just call attention to the whole dilemma rather than giving the affected people a straightforward way to refer to them when asked.” – Eric Bruskin, Pennsylvania
“A professional sits in the practice room and if after playing a passage six times they still can’t play it, they continue to practice until they do. Amateurs stop after six.” – A musician from an ICSOM orchestra
“Anyone who shows up at the audition as my competition is a professional.” Andrea, trumpet
“So what do you call the orchestra musicians that recently lost their jobs, ex-musicians?” Former member of the Savannah Symphony Orchestra
“You forgot to mention the musicians who play in chamber groups as well as quartets and trios.” – A member of a full time professional piano trio
Although it certainly seems easy to distinguish those at either end of the “musician” spectrum, those individuals trapped in the middle will have to fend for themselves.
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