i made honors orchestra !
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 7
From: USC
i can't believe some asian parents though. the 2nd chair cellist is a nice girl, shy. but her parents are friends with my parents.
i can't believe the girl's mom actually told my parents that the girl had me as a target to get good because she wanted to be section leader so she could have the solos ? too competitive for me. it's nice the girl wants to work hard but if their parents are forcing her then
it! i found that if my parents made me practice i could never concentrate, but if i did it myself, i found my self very focused.
and the worst part is that the 2nd chair's mom asked my mom if i had a girlfriend or went to any school dances!!! ROAR!!! MIND YOUR OWN GOD damn business! you can ask about my grades or whatever, but if i have a girlfriend or if i went to dances? dang.
i can't believe the girl's mom actually told my parents that the girl had me as a target to get good because she wanted to be section leader so she could have the solos ? too competitive for me. it's nice the girl wants to work hard but if their parents are forcing her then
it! i found that if my parents made me practice i could never concentrate, but if i did it myself, i found my self very focused. and the worst part is that the 2nd chair's mom asked my mom if i had a girlfriend or went to any school dances!!! ROAR!!! MIND YOUR OWN GOD damn business! you can ask about my grades or whatever, but if i have a girlfriend or if i went to dances? dang.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 42,315
Likes: 45
From: Central Massachusetts
George,
I want you to hear this loud and clear now, while you're young and impressionable. What I'm saying is the truth:
Unless classical music is your life and you can't imagine yourself doing anything else, don't do it
as a career. Not if this competition / backbiting bothers you.
The bulls**t attitude seems to be a constant at the professional level. You'd honestly think that folks who land an awesome gig (say, the Boston Symphony Orchestra) would be very centered in their lives and love their place in the symphony; to the rest of the world, they seem "set." Not so, George. Many of these people have the same mindset that you're running into as a high school student. What's worse, these people develop such a chip on their shoulders that working with a fabulous conductor is not a privilege -- it's a battle for them.
As an e-friend, I tell you this to open your eyes. Nobody told me this as a kid, and I consider myself fortunate that I had other, stronger interests than music that drew me away from that path. I can't imagine what would have become of me had I gone that way.
All that said, George, at this point in your life, fight like hell to be the best you can be. Ultimately, what's important is your love for the instrument and making music to the best of your abilities. Music will be there for you for the rest of your life, if you choose the amateur route as I have. For me, it has helped me keep my sanity during some very, very difficult times. Outside the pro world, musicians are the best people to have in your life (IMO).
I want you to hear this loud and clear now, while you're young and impressionable. What I'm saying is the truth:
Unless classical music is your life and you can't imagine yourself doing anything else, don't do it
as a career. Not if this competition / backbiting bothers you.The bulls**t attitude seems to be a constant at the professional level. You'd honestly think that folks who land an awesome gig (say, the Boston Symphony Orchestra) would be very centered in their lives and love their place in the symphony; to the rest of the world, they seem "set." Not so, George. Many of these people have the same mindset that you're running into as a high school student. What's worse, these people develop such a chip on their shoulders that working with a fabulous conductor is not a privilege -- it's a battle for them.
As an e-friend, I tell you this to open your eyes. Nobody told me this as a kid, and I consider myself fortunate that I had other, stronger interests than music that drew me away from that path. I can't imagine what would have become of me had I gone that way.
All that said, George, at this point in your life, fight like hell to be the best you can be. Ultimately, what's important is your love for the instrument and making music to the best of your abilities. Music will be there for you for the rest of your life, if you choose the amateur route as I have. For me, it has helped me keep my sanity during some very, very difficult times. Outside the pro world, musicians are the best people to have in your life (IMO).
Former Moderator
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 105,828
Likes: 152
Good post Chaz...Hope I can add my $.02
I never got to talk to you much, but I've got some news for you.... get used to the Asian parents thing. (I still remember the first time my pic was post here and you couldn't believe that I was Asian..
)Anyway, when I was playing junior tennis I remember my mom having to listen to her "friends" asking about where I played tennis, who I was hitting with, what programs I was involved in, etc....
My mom...being my mom... didn't know why they were asking so she of course told them everything.... and no sooner had she told them.... they popped up like flies.. same camps, same racquet company, hitting partners, even the SAME FLIGHT DOWN TO FLORIDA FOR SPRING BREAK!!!
I'm not quite sure why this happens, and why they are so bold when it comes to this stuff, but it can get somewhat annoying..
My advice to you is to keep doing your thing. Let them try to challenge you for your spot...to be like George... it keeps you on your toes. (no pun intended) :thumbup
Good luck buddy..