Professional Musicians!– Do people with other jobs play in professional symphonies (teachers, doctors, etc.)?
That would depend on what you mean by “professional orchestra.” Major orchestras that pay decent salaries have members that teach lessons or even make instruments on the side (I know the principal cellist of the Phoenix SO is also a luthier), but a full-blown career in another field would be out of the question…there’s no way they could schedule it around rehearsals. BUT, there are many good community orchestras out there that have members with other jobs! Several months ago, I saw the Mississauga community orchestra do Mahler 5…if I didn’t know this was a community group, I wouldn’t have guessed in a million years. Community orchestras have fewer rehearsals with more convenient timing, so I would say that is what you should aim for. Good luck:)!
