I realize that I'm a newcomer to this list, and that my opinion isn't going to hold much weight. But I felt very strongly that I had to respond here.
Ian Belsey wrote:
< If you have a full time job, you are not a < professional singer.
How can you say that? You can very easily have a full time job, AND be paid to sing as well. I would say that generally speaking, if you're good enough to be paid for your singing talent, then you are a professional. Especially if you've trained for years, studied the craft, etc.
You are indeed lucky to make your entire living from singing. Most professional musicians I know (and I know *a lot*), even if they make all of their income from music, aren't lucky enough to make it all as a performer. They usually supplement their performing income with teaching (sometimes in a school, sometimes privately, sometimes both), and even taking church jobs. That doesn't make them any less "professional".
I personally find it incredibly insulting to be told that I'm not a "professional" simply because I have to work full time to make ends meet. In many ways, we "pseudo" professional singers have it a lot harder than others who have the means to devote all their time to singing because we have to squeeze lessons, practice, role preparation, rehearsals & performances in with our full time work responsibilities, and family responsibilities in many cases as well.
If I had an "angel" who provided me with all the funds needed for pursuing a singing career and nothing else I'd be thrilled. But in the absence of such an "angel", I have to become my own support. I get paid to sing, but let's face it - musicians don't get paid as much as business professionals (usually). So, while I get paid for the occasional lead role, or for the occasional oratorio solo work, as well as for my curch section-leader job, I guess I can't consider myself "professional" in your eyes? How very, very sad - not just for me, but for the many of us in the same situation who work our a**** off day in and day out to be the best singers/performers we can possibly be.
> of course it's hard work for anybody, amateur of > professional to learn a role, but that still doesn't > make you a pro!
I don't believe I've seen anyone say here that just because they've learned a role makes them a professional. I do remember seeing a post that said something to the effect of "having the skills to even be able to learn a role takes skill and talent" (obviously I'm paraphrasing, and possibly even mis-remembering here, but that's how I remembered it).
I believe that, technically, if you are paid for your services on a regular basis, then you are, by definition, a "professional".
As far as taking unpaid gigs - I agree with the several other posts I've seen that say that taking selected unpaid gigs can be very much worth your while. But be choosy. I doubt that offering to sing at church funerals or weddings for free is going to net you terribly many contacts that will help you further your career. However, if you're offered the chance to sing a solo with a local chorus who happens to be doing their largest concert of the season but they can't afford to pay yet, go for it! Or, depending on your level of experience, if you're offered the lead role with a local opera company, weigh certain considerations first, including: "Is this a role I already know?", "Is it a role I'd like to get some non-pressure experience performing before I take it out for larger venues?" "Is this a role I've been interested in learning anyway?" Then decide if it's worth your time and effort to do the gig for free. Perhaps this little company has a new director that you want to impress. Or perhaps he's a guest director from a larger company and this might be a chance to get your foot in the door and impress this person by developing a good working relationship which could lead to paid gigs in the future.
Well, now that I've opened myself up to the "flame wars", I'll close. Just my $0.02, for whatever it's worth.
Laura Ruiz DealDivas.com - Harmonizing Culture & Price http://www.dealdivas.com
-----Original Message----- From: Ian Belsey [mailto:Idbelsey@y...] Sent: Friday, August 03, 2001 10:11 AM To: vocalist-temporary@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [vocalist] Need advice on unpaid gigs...
Mariella,
Sorry, but to coin a phrase, you're speaking the nonsense now!!
If you have a full time job, you are not a professional singer. You can't be like Marie Antoinette you know, cake and all. I'm not using that as a slight against professionalism, but that's the truth pure and simple. I don't talk nonsense you know. I have been a professional singer for 30 years, and not once have I done anything else to supplement my income. I must be lucky I guess!?
And please don't be operaist: I find it insulting and patronising in the extreme, and God knows, I write on this list, as the many good people do, to try and be helpful, not insultative! If you want insulting, you've come to the right place 'coz I will give as good as I get, and I ALWAYS win!! Hehehe! That's true divo spirit you see!? If your argument is to stand up, of course it's hard work for anybody, amateur of professional to learn a role, but that still doesn't make you a pro! The concept of doing anything as well as possible boils down to another work ethic entirely, and that is one of professionalism. Don't mix the two up for goodness sake, else we will be in a sorry state!I agree entirely that the job should go to the best person, but please be realistic. If that were the case, Lesley Garrett would be on the dole I guess?
In short, they were my thoughts, no more, no less, and my experience, which (and who's being patronising now?) I may add is not inconsiderable. Sorry, if you don't agree, but goodness only knows what a dull world it would be if everyone were sheep!!
All best wishes,
Ian Voice wrecker to the stars, and very experienced patroniser: not all all deluded!!
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