Product Description

A comprehensive guide to joining an orchestra or ensemble and succeeding as a professional orchestral musician.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #279831 in Books
• Published on: 2004-06-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 236 pages

Review
"'When music sounds, all that I was I am Ere to this haunt of brooding dust I came...' Walter de la Mare, poet, 1873-1956"

From the Publisher
Becoming an Orchestral Musician covers such crucial topics as music colleges versus universities; auditioning; the secrets of ensemble playing and intonation; conductors; the orchestra; performing philosophies; and strategies for success. The matter of how to explore and adapt one’s musical psyche, the pitfalls of a career in music, and the highs and lows of performing are also discussed, and the history, mythology, and science of music–making. Invaluable reading for all practicing and aspiring orchestral musicians as well as parents of budding instrumentalists. Richard Davis is Principal Flute of the BBC Philharmonic and Senior Lecturer and orchestral coach at the Royal Northern College of Music.

About the Author
Richard Davis is principal flute of the BBC Philharmonic, and also Senior Lecturer and an orchestral coach in the Royal Northern College of Music. He was the youngest section principal ever to be appointed. He has played in virtually all the major orchestras in Britain in his time, and he is active as a conductor, too. A number of composers have written flute works specially for him, including Sir Peter Maxwell Davies with his Temenos with Mermaids and Angels. After twenty years' playing as principal, he has decided that he would like to pass on his knowledge and experience of the profession to a new generation of performers, together with many secrets he has learnt in his career in performing. Blurd

Customer Reviews

Fascinating even for Unaspiring Non-professionals,
December 20, 2004
Reviewer: A reader from Moscow, Russia

Becoming an Orchestral Musician transported me from the audience, my normal vantage point, to behind the scenes of an orchestra - the agony of auditions, how to cope with nerves, ensemble v. solo playing, the mechanics of an orchestra. Listening will never be the same again. Watching a conductor will never be the same. I read this book from cover to cover in one day, never losing interest - and I'm not a musician! Strongly recommended for any serious music fan, and an absolute must for any music student (and his or her parents!). There's one chapter on intonation that I think only a musician would understand, but other than that it's required reading for any serious fan of orchestral music. A great mix of quotes, anecdotes, hard information, all of it useful, all of it well organized and well written, a real pleasure!

Becoming an Orchestral Musician is a great book!
This book gives great insight not just into what it takes to become a good ensemble player, but what it takes to be a great musician. I love this book and I will re-read it once I am done because I want to remember everything in it! Highly recommended!

Reviews from Europe 'Calling it as it is'
March 9, 2005
Reviewer: Chris Downing from UK

I love these books that relate careers as they really are rather than how a journaist or a professional writer sees them from the outside. This book covers all aspects of being a working musician and can be related to any instruments easily.

It's a tough business and if you're thinking of doing it perhaps you shouldn't bother. This book will show you that thinking about it demostrates doubt and plan B's - you'll need more commitment and nutty obsession to survive as a musician. If you absolutely must play - then reading this book will help you avoid the pitfalls, enjoy the successes and understand what you'll need to be doing every day to earn a crust.