Getting Concerto gigs

[SDL]

How does everyone get their concerto spots, Ive only done one and love to do more?  Do you write to local orchestras, send demos?  If its word of mouth then how did you build that up.  In my experience you are either in the right place at the right time or you are doing something very pro-active.

[Dazzer]

i guess a huge part comes from connections. if you're talking big orchestras they probably wouldn't want to work with someone they didn't know the standard of. and these people probably hear tons and tons of people coming to them, so having a recommendation definately helps push you to the top of the "take notice" pile.

winning comps as well... that's the big plus.

[pianomann1984]

Of course, many of the bigger competition finals involve performing a concerto.

[krenske]

Dont be silly... its really easy.
All you do is ring up the orchestra you want to play with and ask if you can play a concerto. If they haven't had anyone else wanting to play a concerto, ie concertos are "in demand", then you will obviously get the gig.

[Waldszenen]

Dont be silly... its really easy.
All you do is ring up the orchestra you want to play with and ask if you can play a concerto. If they haven't had anyone else wanting to play a concerto, ie concertos are "in demand", then you will obviously get the gig.

That's the most ineffective way I've ever heard.

[dinosaurtales]

OK.  This will sound sad, but Dazzer is right.  The orchestra, or somebody in it has to "think" of you when they are considering such things.  This is not likely unless you are the brother-in-law of the concertmaster, the conductor's kid is one of your students, your best friend is on the board of the orchestra, etc etc.  Really.  I think just being a good pianist that wants to do it isn't enough.  There are lots of those (dammit).  So good luck and try to chum up to your orchestra pals!

[galonia]

Of course, many of the bigger competition finals involve performing a concerto.

Would be useful to have performed a concerto with an orchestra before trying to win a competition by doing so!

At our university, we used to hold annual auditions for soloists and the university orchestra would perform with the selected soloist.  I don't think we have that anymore (pity) - unless tash knows differently.

[SDL]

Well, Im no longer a Student in fact I changed my carreer and came back to it.  Im 34 so Id be looking at "no age limit" compos which I am looking at this year (one is an international in UK and one is an amateur - but amateur comps are as good a standard as the others).


Krenske, I have thought of doing this so until it doesnt work I won't rule it out thanks.

Unfortunately Im a bit cynical about just the word of mouth thing and you don't have any control over it.. its a lottery.  I mean how many people in music want to do something for someone else these days!!?  I don't even think my teacher would help like that because he's a concert pianist also after the same gigs - unless one day he couldn't make his concert.  I want to do the work myself (marketing, whatever it takes) and Id like to think every solo concert I do is a step closer because I aim to get the excellent reviews.  So can anyone give some positive pro-active type of advice? 

Does anyone find musician's union helps or an agent (Im not so sure on agents - they can rip you off!)

[krenske]

no you've got the wrong idea.
here's how you do it.

You get on the phone and tell the orchestra that you play your concerto better than horowitz. then bet them $1000,000 that you can. Then wait till they publish your photo in the programme. then miss all the rehearsals cos you don't need them. then tell them you are sick and you can't play, but would like to be paid anyway. and you would like to reschedule the concert for some time later. then you have a chance to do some practice, and some money to spend while you do it. chances are, second time round, you will be able to play your concerto!!

[Ben]

What?

[SDL]

Krenske - my motto is make every performance count regardless of where you are playing, and play not just for yourself but for your audience.  Treat every opportunity like Gold dust and savour the moment

[pbr2005]

Did anyone ever get an orchestra gig by sending their press-kit to the conductor???

Besides winning an orchestral date though a competition, there is NO way to get an orchestra gig without a serious, SERIOUS connection (even if you have a name) unless we're talking community orchestras, etc.

[SDL]

There have been cases where some well known pianist was ill and didnt make the concerto and someone unknown stepped in and they did a brilliant job...and they are well known now.  I never say "No Way" because no one is certain of the events that may take place for each individual.  And the difference between those who are successfull and those who are not is perseverance and total belief!  I would never have thought Id get a concerto spot to perform but I did. 

Come on lets have some positive ideas!!

[Waldszenen]

The most reliable way to perform with an orchestra is to enter a competition and survive  until you make it into the finals...

[squinchy]

Learn an orchestra instrument, become really good at it, make the orchestra, and tinker around a tad on the piano in the wing during rehearsal breaks at strategic moments?

 

[possom46]

SDL I am very interested in the UK competitions you mentioned, please could you let me know abit about them  . 

I am now learning my first concerto, and play with CD recordings (bit of a closet performer), am hoping these forums help me get out of my shell and play to an audience again!

[SDL]

Possum Im entering ones with no age limit - one is the Haverhill  & one is the Yamaha piano competition - its first year in the uk.  Although at this rate Im worried I don't have enough time to prepare in time as Ive a solo recital also in September- work commitments.  Closing dates are July and August.  If you don't mind me asking how old are you? See Im 34 - past my sell by date on alot of international comps.

[Sergey R]

Learn an orchestra instrument, become really good at it, make the orchestra, and tinker around a tad on the piano in the wing during rehearsal breaks at strategic moments?

 

That could be a good idea actually. And might work for me, I play the bassoon also as well as just piano.

[galonia]

unless we're talking community orchestras, etc.

Oh yeah, why didn't I think of that?  I know a few people who conduct or direct community orchestras.  You could always play with such groups!

[Jacey1973]

What do you think of writing to local orchestras to ask if they are thinking of doing any piano concertos in the near future?

I've never played a piano concerto but i would love to and i think i'm ready. I used to play in a local youth orchestra when i was at school and college for a few years - do you think it would be a good idea to write to them and ask about playing a concerto?

[pianomann1984]

What do you think of writing to local orchestras to ask if they are thinking of doing any piano concertos in the near future?

I've never played a piano concerto but i would love to and i think i'm ready. I used to play in a local youth orchestra when i was at school and college for a few years - do you think it would be a good idea to write to them and ask about playing a concerto?

That's what I would do!  Enclose a recording with your letter for them to hear, but make sure you have a concerto or two ready before you ask!!!

[BoliverAllmon]

That's what I would do!  Enclose a recording with your letter for them to hear, but make sure you have a concerto or two ready before you ask!!!

yeah have a couple ready. otherwise you might get a reply back saying yes, can you play in two months?

[possom46]

Possum Im entering ones with no age limit - one is the Haverhill  & one is the Yamaha piano competition - its first year in the uk.  Although at this rate Im worried I don't have enough time to prepare in time as Ive a solo recital also in September- work commitments.  Closing dates are July and August.  If you don't mind me asking how old are you? See Im 34 - past my sell by date on alot of international comps.

I'm 31, so more or less in the same boat I think. I passed grade 8 at 15, took my Trinity performers certificate and ATCL years ago and have now gone back to it after having children etc. etc. and now doing LTCL finally!! I play around with concertos at home as i'm doing exam work at the moment with my teacher, so am thinking towards next year at least. Am very interested in this thread because I truly thought I was past my sell-buy date!!!

[lostinidlewonder]

You can organise Charity concerts where you can approach any orchestra in your area and ask them to support it. This is good for your own concerto peforming experience and keeps costs to yourself down.

You can get the professional orchestras to play for you if you can prove that what you want to do will sell lots of tickets and benefits their own pockets. How you do this can be from winning competitions but often it can be by just developing yourself as a concert soloist first. Once you become more popular in that respect then you would be called upon for concertos with the orchestras. Before that you will not be really offered much opportunity to play with orchestras because of the financal perspective. Any orchestra would be willing to play for you if you made good money for them (since most orchestras are struggling to survive on what little they have).

[SDL]

You can organise Charity concerts where you can approach any orchestra in your area and ask them to support it. This is good for your own concerto peforming experience and keeps costs to yourself down.

You can get the professional orchestras to play for you if you can prove that what you want to do will sell lots of tickets and benefits their own pockets. How you do this can be from winning competitions but often it can be by just developing yourself as a concert soloist first. Once you become more popular in that respect then you would be called upon for concertos with the orchestras. Before that you will not be really offered much opportunity to play with orchestras because of the financal perspective. Any orchestra would be willing to play for you if you made good money for them (since most orchestras are struggling to survive on what little they have).

this seems like a good idea and one I think Ive come up with before and then forgotten about it.  Has anyone had any success with this method?  Do you think  orchestras in England or any where else where orchestras are struggling to keep afloat financially will be really interested in charity events?

[ivory1979]

I would like to recommend the book "Making Music in Looking Glass Land" by Ellen Highstein, published and distributed by Concert Artists' Guild.  I received my Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from The Juilliard School, and this book was the basis for our career development seminar.