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Harp Column Blogs: Brandee YoungerArchive
The Side Job
I can’t count the number of times I’ve been on a job, and someone asks, “Is this your side job?” Sometimes
it happens over the phone, when a client is shopping around for a
harpist. They say, “We’ve never heard you play, so can you tell us a
bit about yourself? What do you do during the day? “ or “What do you do
during the week?” Sometimes, I stand frozen in place and then remember
that we are often viewed as free-spirited art-lovers, that fulfill our
passion every weekend at someone’s cocktail party, wedding or at an
orchestra concert.
I do not think that many people understand that this is our profession. To help them, my response to such questions is usually along the lines of: Did you major in elementary education, then receive a Graduate degree to become a teacher on weekends? Are you a pediatrician on the side? If so, that’s a great deal of work and schooling you put in, to just do that on the side :) Sure, it makes some people feel a bit silly, but some still don’t understand. Yes, many harpists have spent (and still do spend) hours shedding scales, pieces, etudes and excerpts and received undergraduate, graduate and post graduate degrees in harp performance. Here in New York, any given week may consist of: • A Recording Session • Practice • Rehearsals, rehearsals • A Concert • Practice • Teaching • Emailing/telephoning regarding business • Playing an event • Networking to make new contacts • Travel So, I’m wondering how on earth, all of this, could in any way be a side job. The answer is “No. This is not a side job.” This is very difficult work with extremely incredible rewards! 02:39 PM, 01 Dec 2007 by Brandee Younger | Permalink | Comments (0) 
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