This is primarily aimed at Roger Aldridge, but others please feel free to jump in. I just discovered that I'm going to be in southeastern Md. (Lexington Park to be specific) one week a month until at least next spring. Are there any community bands in the area that would welcome an occasional 2nd/3rd/Eb clarinet player?
Md. Bands?
- Thread starter AMBeck
- Start date
Oh, Suzy and I have done this in the past and it is a hoot. I use the Community Band List to cherry-pick the band we want to sit in with when we are traveling. If you are ever in Seattle, ping me. 
I did this to find theaters where I could play in the pit when I was detailed to Sunnyvale CA for a month in 1986 or 87. Got to put two more shows under my belt, and kept my skills up while I was gone from home. And, it gave me something to do with my evenings besides eat myself to death.
I did my research via telephone, and I won't say that it was easy. However, in a large metro area like the Bay Area, there was plenty going on, to the point that I had to choose two out of three shows.
I gave up on concert bands back in the 1980's, this due to the politics and "possessiveness" of the players in same. I tried a couple back in 1992 (my town has a band, for example), just to see if my attitude had changed, but I've not darkened the door of one since.
Pit orchestras, well they're another story entirely. These days, I do three musicals a year (in the spring), and I've been known to sneak in another couple here and there when I get the chance. Private schools, churches and community groups down here pay pretty well (say $500 for six rehearsals and three or four shows), but the main thing is the challenge.
I did my research via telephone, and I won't say that it was easy. However, in a large metro area like the Bay Area, there was plenty going on, to the point that I had to choose two out of three shows.
I gave up on concert bands back in the 1980's, this due to the politics and "possessiveness" of the players in same. I tried a couple back in 1992 (my town has a band, for example), just to see if my attitude had changed, but I've not darkened the door of one since.
Pit orchestras, well they're another story entirely. These days, I do three musicals a year (in the spring), and I've been known to sneak in another couple here and there when I get the chance. Private schools, churches and community groups down here pay pretty well (say $500 for six rehearsals and three or four shows), but the main thing is the challenge.
Well we have three bands, two jazz bands that go all year and a concert band that goes from August to June.
Here's my fav video of a concert that I actually missed because I was doing a Chorus Line pit gig. As a matter of fact the tenor sax player behind the 'screamer' subbed for me.
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