With the gas increasing daily, I wonder how it will effect the upcoming concert season. Groups that are already rocky might be hurt. I hope managements out there start marketing the groups creatively, and I think they could learn a lot from this:
http://www.buttsseats.com/archives/2008/06/17/lots_of_s...in_the_backyard.html
The author links to the Daily Show's mention of the "Staycation", and he wonders how orchestras can use it in PR.

Katinfiddle, you read my mind as far as posting on this topic.

First, I've been wondering how it will affect per-service orchestras, where the gas allowance would need to be raised for musicians to travel, say, 3-5 hours, if they're even given any. I'm also curious how airline tickets will affect people taking auditions. I don't see how players will be able to afford taking auditions "for fun" or "just for the experience" anymore like they used to, esp. those just starting out.

2nd, with some orchestras having a tendency to not hire people, I could only see travel expenses become a growing problem when the # of people auditioning will be affected, & thus making players of all levels question whether or not they should audition when a flight now will cost well over $300.

And also, various cities are constantly being advertised (online articles & such) for having high cost of living, mortgage values, etc. (esp. in CA, Northeast), & I wonder more & more how this plays into someone's decision to audition in these cities (it's certainly affecting mine). With the economy being how it is, has anyone seen any significant change in audition trends lately, or is a gig a gig? Just wondering anyone's thoughts on this.

I agree, this is totally going to change the makeup of auditioning. Not only will driving/flying be more expensive, carrying on a violin/viola or any instrument you could fit in the over head is going to be impossible as people try to save the $15 bag check fee.

As far as the per-service orchestras, this will empty them faster than the boards can empty them. Why would anyone want to spend $4.50 a gal to get to a gig that is over 25 miles away. And we all know most of those per-service orchestras don't pay enough to afford the luxury of living in the per-service orchs city.

I highly recommend the "Gig after Gas Calculator" at Inside The Arts page, it is the 4th title down on the right side of the page: http://www.insidethearts.com/

One of my friends used this calculator as he had two sub gigs to choose from, one with a major ICSOM orchestra and one with a local ROPA per service. Turned out (sadly for the ego) that he made $300 more by NOT taking the ICSOM gig. It was a tough decision, but bills....you know the drill.

I hate to hear about your friend. It's not surprising in some ways though. I guess we'll see how this will affect people come around August when a lot of auditions (esp. per-service) start popping up.

And now we can add this to worry about:

"Starting Oct. 6, most United fares will require a one- to three-night or weekend-night minimum stay"

This could create issues with auditions where all rounds are only in 1 day. I know I don't want to stick around an unfamiliar town longer than I have to. Luckily most auditions are on a Friday, weekend, or a Monday, so maybe it's not as bad as it looks. But I really don't like worrying about limits like this. I've also heard they could possibly charge more for weight of individuals?! Yes, that'll go by really well!! I wonder what other lovely things the airlines are going to try to pull I realize it's not totally their fault, but it's still frustrating either way.

I wonder how many patrons will stay home. I hate to think so negatively, but I have started to limit my own outings.

The new baggage allowances that are being put in place are also a huge problem. As a percussionist, I typically want to bring at least one snare drum (ideally two), one or two tambourines, a bag full of sticks and mallets, and ideally one or two pairs of cymbals to every audition. Oh yeah, clothes are nice too! All of that in one suitcase exceeds the weight limit for one bag, so it usually works best to divide it between two checked bags and two carry-ons. That now costs almost $100 extra for a round trip!

Did you know that US Airways no longer lets cellists or bassists check their instrument under the plane if they have a travel case? This must be a new rule in place because of gas prices. I had a friend who had to buy another seat for his cello on the spot!

Sadly, the better options for audition traveling are going to be the trains or driving. And frankly, orchestras will have to do a much better when and how they plan their auditions. I wonder if the days of being so picky and not hiring anyone are going to be over. I smell many one year options in the future.

Orchestras seem to be making it even more difficult to make travel plans early thus costing us even more money. Today, I have just received my audition date and time for an audition in two weeks. I think orchestras need to make a much bigger effort to get information and invitations out much sooner to help the auditioner save as much money as possible on airfares. How can one wait until two weeks before the audition to book travel?

Well, it took a while for orchestras to accept emailed resumes as the normal mode of delivery. Maybe, in light of gas prices, they'll eventually allow for the next practical step...video auditions. In this age of YouTube, it's not out of the question. But, as I said, orchestras are a little slow. They'll waffle because, "It's not the way we've done it before," and "We can't get a clear idea of the candidates' true performances." I have good news for orchestras: Video makes sense, homemade or not. A trained musician CAN tell how good a player is whether they recorded themselves in a bathroom or a livingroom. Don't tell me Wynton Marsalis sounds amateur-ish on crappy webcam video. No, he is still awesome.
So, for your orchestra's next round of auditions, why not pioneer the video audition concept. Think how cool it would be to just hit "delete" and move on.

quote:

Originally posted by katinfiddle:
Sadly, the better options for audition traveling are going to be the trains or driving. And frankly, orchestras will have to do a much better when and how they plan their auditions. I wonder if the days of being so picky and not hiring anyone are going to be over. I smell many one year options in the future.

either that, or planning WAY ahead & getting a good deal. i've never tried Priceline for flights, just hotels & rental cars.

as for the days of being picky, apparently not. but i REALLY wish orchestras would consider this!! I know they all have their reasons, but with the growing number of no-hires, I'm just not convinced there's good reason to not hire someone.

quote:

Originally posted by violindriver:
Well, it took a while for orchestras to accept emailed resumes as the normal mode of delivery. Maybe, in light of gas prices, they'll eventually allow for the next practical step...video auditions. In this age of YouTube, it's not out of the question. But, as I said, orchestras are a little slow. They'll waffle because, "It's not the way we've done it before," and "We can't get a clear idea of the candidates' true performances." I have good news for orchestras: Video makes sense, homemade or not. A trained musician CAN tell how good a player is whether they recorded themselves in a bathroom or a livingroom. Don't tell me Wynton Marsalis sounds amateur-ish on crappy webcam video. No, he is still awesome.
So, for your orchestra's next round of auditions, why not pioneer the video audition concept. Think how cool it would be to just hit "delete" and move on.

I'm surprised some orchestras still make you mail resumes! I don't even know where my stamps are most the time I feel better when I can email it to them, & they email you back saying they received it, when we should be getting audition times, any updates, clarification of excerpts, parking info, & any other important reminders.

I don't think videos should be used in lieu of a live prelim audition, but i think videos would be helpful for positions that get, say, over 100 resumes. & let's say the committee decided to only invite 40-50 or so to a live audition, they could decide to use video auditions to see if others not initially invited would qualify for a live audition instead of getting a flat out rejection letter. I personally think it's a good idea to trim down resumes even more (esp. over 50 applicants), but still give others a chance at getting invited. This would help somewhat with people's travel expenses, & would also help the committee listen a little more intently to players instead of just giving them time to play maybe 2-3 excerpts & move on because they have too many more to hear that day.

At the bare minimum, I think committees should give comments to those that ask. It is the least they could do when people spend so much money to try for these orchestras. It doesn't have to be much, just an indication that the committee acknowledges someone spent the time to prepare the excerpts and the $4.50 a gallon in gas to get there.

Here is a good little article and poll on airline travel problems for musicians.
http://www.violinist.com/blog/weekendvote/20086/8817/

Don't let the stewardesses help put your violin into the overhead compartment. One helped by daughter and damaged the bell on her trombone by trying to force it. If they can damage a brass instrument think of what they could do to a violin!! We thought her BAM case was pretty good and had not had problems until this happened.