Does anybody happen to know either how many bass openings there are for the Civic Orchestra of Chicago this year or in years past, or roughly how many bassists apply in a given year or both? I know there's a whole other thread for the orchestra, but nobody in that thread really answered these questions. Thanks a lot. Respect.
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Double Bass Civic
- Thread starter awesomeness
- Start date
Civic membership is generally for two years. Three of the eight bass players are in their second years this year, so there will be at least three openings, and maybe more, if one of us who are in our first years leave for whatever reason. Good luck to everyone who auditioned!
I don't know about recorded auditions sent in but I think 15 or so players showed up for the live audition.
They were supposed to have an audition tour last year, but they cancelled it, so I sent a recording. This got me in, so don't despair if you couldn't make it to the live audition.
I vaguely remember reading somewhere that there were only 2 openings last year, so I think the 6 guaranteed openings this year would make more sense. Can anyone besides Dragonetti11 confirm this? Maybe I'm wrong.
Betsy Sokoup and Philip Alejo will be joining the bass section next year. Congrats to both of them!! I'm not sure of anyone else who got in though.
I got to play an arrangement of the second movement of Shostakovich 5 with those two last weekend at the Richard Davis Bass Conference. They're both awesome players and real nice people too. Congrats to both of them and also the University of Michigan bass studio.
How does the COoC compare to the New World Symphony, both in terms of difficulty getting in and benefits of being in it?
Which I find fascinating. I guess it must be the benefits. New World has double the salary and room and board. Where as Civic has a small stipend. On the other hand, you get regular coachings and lessons from the CSO bass section, get to work under the batons of people like Haitink, Muti, Boulez, Barenboim and Tilson Thomas. I am not saying one is better than the other. I just think it is weird that they are not equally competitive. I admittedly have never looked into New World, I would never live in Florida. I have heard many civic concerts and know they sound great. Just my 2 ¢.
I'm not arguing whether its harder to get into or if it is better or more prestigious or blah blah blah. I just said I found it interesting that civic didn't attract the same prestige. Much different sentiment than your response merited. Also, better guest artists than Pierre Boulez, Peter Oundijian, Riccardo Muti or Bernard Haitink? I would argue differently. That's just me. But yes, you are both right NWS is harder to get in to. I just think it's interesting is all.
Oh Bottesinirox, btw Diana Gannett one of Gary Karr's proteges teaches the studio at U of Michigan. It's a pretty prestigious studio.
Pretty sad if you define success only as winning an orchestral job. So I guess every other bassist making a living not in a full time orchestra is unsuccessful. That kind of attitude will serve you well.
First of all I never swore at you or insulted you. If you cannot maintain a mature stance and do the same, then you need to find another place to go!
You never used the word but your statement implied it. I am more than glad to admit to the fact that, although your response was not directed at anyone in particular AND it came after mine, I made a mistake in thinking that I was being addressed. It is after all a forum and not a private message board, or did you forget?
Another implication made by the nature of your post is that you were making a general statement that was open to be answered by the entire board. If you are addressing a particular individual it is usually done by either quoting them or using the @ symbol. For example, @bottesinirox swearing is not only uncalled for but completely immature.
You never used the word but your statement implied it. I am more than glad to admit to the fact that, although your response was not directed at anyone in particular AND it came after mine, I made a mistake in thinking that I was being addressed. It is after all a forum and not a private message board, or did you forget?
Another implication made by the nature of your post is that you were making a general statement that was open to be answered by the entire board. If you are addressing a particular individual it is usually done by either quoting them or using the @ symbol. For example, @bottesinirox swearing is not only uncalled for but completely immature.
So, and I'm being serious, what are all these other bass players doing to make a living outside of an orchestra?
Are they all teaching? and if they never won an orchestral job themselves, how could they teach others to do so? Or are they just teaching more teachers and so on?
Are they all teaching? and if they never won an orchestral job themselves, how could they teach others to do so? Or are they just teaching more teachers and so on?
